Published October 30, 2005 by

A look into fair trade

I have been searching out some of the Schweppes/Cadbury/Nestle/Coke sites re: fair trade and policies. Namely for interests sake. You wouldn’t believe how much digging you have to do to actually get to the info, but it is there.

Schweppes views on fairtrade (oh how curious how they skirt the actual issue).
Nestle’s Africa report and stories and ‘contribution’ to the UN Millenium Development Goals

and of course Coke that, “exists to benefit and refresh everyone it touches”. I found my way to the coke facts site, which is possibly a ‘covering of their back’ for myths (or perhaps truths) about exploitation.
And I find this,

Does The Coca-Cola Company operate sweatshops in Colombia?

No, we do not. A “sweatshop” is an operation that exploits low labor costs to produce goods for exports, generally from poor countries to richer countries. That is NOT how The Coca-Cola Company operates. Coca-Cola beverages made in Colombia are produced by Colombians for sale to Colombians.

and also this,

Is The Coca-Cola Company misusing local water resources in India?

No. We are one of the most efficient users of water in India. In fact, we’ve been recognized for our environmental practices by prominent global organizations, including the Red Crosslink.

Who knows who is telling the truth? This site is endorsed by the CocaCola company…

Another curious site I found when I was looking up Made In China which is an interesting article, very activist based. And another.

I’m still not entirely sure why they bother to label clothing with the country of origin.

I shall be asking some questions tomorrow.

General Social Justice

Published October 30, 2005 by

Pipol Fastaem

Well if you happened to be at all interested. I found myself back to the Pipol Fastaem (People First) website which is a Solmon Islands based. So various news and stuff. More interesting are the pictures (go through digital library). If you select provences: Malaita, Guadalcanal and (Honiara) -which is the Capital city. These are various places I grew up. I had a quick look and recognised a few familar spots. Ask me if you like.

*edit
😮

Had another look. It’s all there! Henderson Airport, Auki Island, Lulisiana, Bonegi, the Yacht Club beach even!!!!

General Solomon Islands

Published October 30, 2005 by

The price of loose change

How curious. The last time I got an email from this person was almost a year ago. This one has been sitting in my inbox for about three days. No it wasn’t specifically for me – a group email, it asks for a reply. I am the only one of my siblings which got the email – which is vaguely curious. I grew up with this person, they played somewhat of a significant role in my life in 2001.

Change.

How much I have changed.

It frustates me sometimes when I realise how ineffective I’ve been in keeping in touch with Solomons people. We all moved and moved on. I still love them like my family. I would still spend time with them above anyone else in the world, more than the friends I have now. I would drop anything ‘important’ if they were around. But I don’t really know them anymore.

You know. I can’t even remember them. I can’t remember their voice and I only know their smile from photos.

How do you reintroduce yourself?

Hi,
I’m not the Rebecca you know,
but I’m the same you knew.

I have been wondering whether to even bother replying. Something in me wants to. Something in me wants to leave the lot behind so I don’t potentially have to rehash what was. Maybe its a risk? I’m most definitely thinking things through too much, I know those of you who would say to me, “What’s your problem Bec” and those who don’t even see the issue.

Church this morning. A Sunday reoccurence of feeling vastly dissatisfied with the church I’m in. Ot’s all perfectly fine when the sermon’s going. Its really good in that respect. Yet there is this massively gaping void of relationship. If Jess is not there, if Analise is in with the kids, then there is a hello and a bit of small talk with Isobelle and that is it. I do not know people. I can’t joing a young adults small group until YITS is over as it clashes with Wednesday night class. Ostracized? Curls was there this morning, back from England – Laura talked with him, I didn’t recognise him at all until he was pointed out.

Its hard path. I was talking to God during the singing. This year has rocked what comfort I found in tradition. Jess said she doesn’t feel like going to church at all anymore. It seems just a place for Sunday, where is the living – the community outside one designated morning or evening a week? Disatisfaction. I don’t feel like I fit in ‘what I used to describe as’ church anymore, I don’t feel it is effective, I don’t feel it is the best or most useful way of doing things.

I am sitting on the top of a cliff edge looking down. I have now, a footing in a community, a footing in close relationships. One foot. I don’t have that other foot anywhere solid, that foot should be in a church community. What happens when I loose the other footing?

This year.

I might as well be a lump of play dough. I don’t know my shape any more. Every day seems to change me.

I would not trade what I have gotten out of this year for anything.

I am proud of where God has taken me, quite astounded at what He’s done. Fear is the price of growth. Risk for the non-risk taking Rebecca.

I could laugh at the seemingly small things – the riduculous simple things like having to do ‘swing dancing’ lessons and how they have quite forcefully put me in a position to examine who I am, who I was and who I want to be.

Next year.

No more fishtank, no more safety in glass walls. It’s the ocean as big as it is.

Afraid?
Only of losing what I’m leaving behind.

Church General Life Solomon Islands

Published October 30, 2005 by

Made In

A funny kind of ‘classy’ sitting on the couch in the afternoon, listening to classical music (thank you to the Age for the complimentary cd) having a really enjoyable conversation/d&m/silly talk about all manner of things not to mention chocolate icecream and other such niceties…

No one else home. Spent the afternoon mostly with Sam. After justifying the homework status on finishing ‘Spiritual Gifts Assesment/Reflection’.

Slept until about 9:30 this morning, which is NOTHING compared to what I needed after last night.

Jess, Sam and I were catering/waitressing/doing the drinks for the Mecs (old school) Yr.11 formal. (Of which Emily was attending). They have ‘formalised’ the entire process so now it is dancing, parents present, each student making a 1 min speech. Well removed from our yr.11 bash where the DJ broke his leg and had to find a replacement, the dancing was impromptu (or non-existant in my case).

Brilliantly stressful. I had a fine time. Jess was ‘dying’ under pressure. Three people doing the decorations and drinks for 150+ people all night is no mean feat. I ended up being the person running around on ‘the floor’ putting out drinks/collecting stuff – ha this is the least ‘waitressy’ of the three of us doing that. Amusing. I enjoyed it – all of it (except maybe when it came to cleaning up).

Dancing.

Sam attempted to teach me the female bit to the 6 Step and the Charleston, was not entirely with it. That saying. This afternoon. Hannah, Emily, Sam and I started doing various dance things (I was showing Hannah how to do them). And they ended up sort of teaching me the Nutbush – which I can’t really do as each time someone tries to teach me it is at a party with too much loudness for concentrating. So maybe I can do that now. To be honest, I like dancing – when there is ‘organised’ type steps. I don’t and will not do the whole ‘just move’ thing.

So.

I am tired now. I can’t really think much. I had plenty to say earlier. Unfortunately some of the stuff I can’t share her (too many people know too many people). I must have a potentially difficult/interesting conversation with someone on Monday. Prayer for that would be good. Tilla – I also need to talk to you/Jacqui about something (not exactly about me).

That’s right. Worked all Thursday. Good day, nice and quiet yet plenty to do. Got the train to Flinders and waited for a bit for Katie. Interesting wait really. I like watching people. Loads of people to watch. Flinders breathes, it just moves constantly. Spent the night at Jo’s place. Much thanks you two 🙂 greatly enjoyed myself.

Watched some random thing on TV about this kid with a brain too big for his skull. Very very interesting, then something about those kids who age way too fast. We followed this is ‘A Walk to Remember’ (yeh groan away) interesting thinkings from movies like that usually, but I was a bit tired to rehash stuff. Hence the, ‘Not really thinking much’ Jo.

Cinnamon toast breakfast – which is what started the whole thing off. Caught train with Katie to Ringwood (she not as far as I) Sam and Jess picked me up from there.

Some totally unrelated comments to the ‘doings and happenings’ ramble ^.

This week’s ‘Special Ministry’ task thing was to set a reoccuring alarm (once a day) and check all clothing labels to see where they were made, list them, and um take some time to pray for the countries etc. very much a social justice type thing.
I haven’t set an alarm, I haven’t listed them. I have checked a couple of times. The majority of my clothes have had Made in China. Infact, the times I’ve checked I haven’t found anything different.

The question I posed to Sam this afternoon was: why do they label with the countries at all? The simple answer is of course, law. But why? And where do you find out the why? Will some people not buy clothes made in certain countries, if so, then the whole label thing is entirely geared towards a social issue problem. Cheap clothing boasts little more than a small ‘branding’, care instructions (if lucky) and a Made In…

Economic? Oh it probably is that. Still, it would be nice to know who decided all that, and what affect it actaully has upon the buying customer. Who if they are anything like me (two weeks ago)doesn’t click two fingers into wondering the mysteries of the Made In phenomoena.

“Stephen Said has ruined my life – in a good way” – Sam

Thinkings and free trade, brandings and boycotting coke? A stance on societies evils? How will it help? How important is it really in the scheme of things?

General Life Social Justice