Wilson Kyebo 52 years old, Protestant, joined Peace Kawomera in 2006
Photo: Holly Moskowitz, 2009
Do you feel that there are things you were once deprived of that you think you should have had access to?
Water, school fees, and transport are things we struggled with.
How would many farmers be living now had they not been exposed to the benefits of Fair Trade?
We use our Fair Trade Bonus for to pay for school fees, basic necessities, and clothing for our children.
Fair Trade is supposed to instill stability within the lives of producers. What areas of your life are now more “stable” due to Fair Trade?
Fair Trade second payments/bonuses come unexpectedly. We forget about it sometimes day to day. It comes when all else is slow, so it is very helpful and a surprise when it shows up.
Fairly traded products are not the majority of products that are sold in the United States. Do you think Americans would stop buying UNFAIRLY traded products if they knew more about Fair Trade? Why?
If people knew it helped my children and own health and basic necessities, I think more people would buy Fair Trade.
What was life like before JJ Keki formed the interfaith cooperative? What challenges and difficulties were faced?
Before the cooperative, coffee would spoil before it was sold. Brokers would also rip us off. Since the cooperative was formed, so many things have changed for the better.
How have the relationships among people of different faiths changed since forming the cooperative?
There is a healthier relationship now between people compared to before. We respect each other and work together.