Poverty
We can make a difference to global poverty
In the 21st century 1.4 billion people still live in absolute poverty, unable to feed their families and send their children to school.
It might seem like our lives are too different and too distant to make a positive difference to those living in poverty. But the things we buy everyday are almost always made in poor countries by people who are paid terrible wages and forced to work in appalling conditions.
Cotton farmers in poor countries are facing particularly hard times. They are struggling to compete, because the governments of rich countries give extra help to their farmers to grow tonnes of bargain cotton. Cotton farmers in poor countries find it hard to sell their cotton with this unfair competition, and so take their children out of school to help them earn enough to live.
Fairtrade farming instead gives poor farmers the chance to get a decent wage for their produce so they can afford to feed their families, get health care and send their children to school.
Our schools and colleges spend billions every year on cotton clothes, whether it’s sports kit, school shirts or leavers hoodies. But usually these garments are not made with Fairtrade cotton, and may have been produced by children, or by women barely older than you, for as little as 5p per hour for 80 hours each week.
Young people don’t want to buy clothes that make poor producers suffer. With your help we can create a national movement in schools and colleges, calling on them to source clothing which will improve the lives of millions of cotton farmers.
Students are calling for their schools and colleges to Wear Fair! Will you join in?
Email us if you would like to get updates on the campaign.
