THEY may only be primary schoolchildren — but they know they can make the world a fairer place.
To celebrate “Fairtrade Fortnight”, pupils at Sacred Heart RC School in Westhoughton have been encouraging others to follow their lead and create a better world.
They have even helped take Fairtrade Foundation’s campaign calling for action to end trade injustice around the world to Prime Minister David Cameron by becoming three inch-versions of themselves — mini-marchers — to join a virtual march on Westminster.
Children create miniature cartoon versions of themselves online, which are then printed off and made into small models that organisers assemble outside the Houses of Parliament.
Every child in the school has been celebrating Fairtrade Fortnight through a series of fun and educational activities — from learning about the inspirational Justino Peck, who lobbied for fair trade practices, to inviting people into school to highlight what a difference buying Fairtrade goods can make.
A robot made out of Fairtrade products has taken pride of place in the school hall to help spread the message.
Ruairi McCabe, aged 11, said: “In parts of Africa and Asia the farmers do not get the money they should.
“If we buy Fairtrade then we can help make a fairer world.”
Abigail McCabe, aged 10, said: “It is really important for all the farmers get the right amount of money for their work and we can make that happen by buying Fairtrade products.”
Teacher Yasmin Bukhari said that it was important for young people not to just learn about injustices that take place in the world but to show how they can make a difference.
She said that Fairtrade showed how Bible teachings can apply to modern life.
Traidcraft was started by a group of Christians looking for practical ways to express their faith, then set up Fairtrade in 1979.
Miss Bukhari said: “The children do encourage their parents to buy Fairtrade, and parents come into school to tell me about how proud they are that their child is learning about something as important as Fairtrade at a young age.”
Children learn that by changing buying habits they can help support services in poorer countries that pupils here take for granted.
The school has been designated a Fairtrade school, which means Fairtrade products are promoted as much as possible — right down to the tea and coffee in the staff room.
Miss Bukhari said: “Buying Fairtrade is an investment in clean water and education.
“Without the Fairtrade symbol people could be investing in child labour — that is the reality.”
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