Fair Trade at Makaibari

Fair Trade Certified

At Makaibari, it is easy to see Fair Trade in action. A Joint Body of workers (an essential component of Fair Trade) meets monthly and prioritizes the numerous projects submitted by the general population. The Makaibari Joint Body has 16 members of whom ten are women, including the Administrator. After discussion and evaluation, it decides how to apportion funds and brings accounts up-to-date. Support Fair Trade - Shop Makaibari Now!


The Makaibari Joint Body

The Makaibari Joint Body performs many tasks:

  • Develops sustainable agricultural skills
  • Holds workshops on family welfare & planning, child care, nutrition & sanitation
  • Develops social development skills such as animal husbandry and orchid cultivation
  • Provides specialized medical help
  • Promotes education
  • Furthers grass roots entrepreneurial projects

JOINT BODY LOANS & PROJECTS AT MAKAIBARI

Over the past few years, hundreds of projects were approved and successfully implemented in both Makaibari and in neighboring areas. Applications are received every week and evaluated once monthly based on need, and then prioritized. The average loan is for a few hundred dollars but larger amounts are granted, when needed. The loan period is typically for 2 years at a maximum interest of 5% and repaid in 24 equal installments. Medical or educational assistance loans are interest-free. Remarkably, the failure rate is zero and not a single loan has been in default.

Projects have included the purchase of vaccines and specialized medical needs, livestock purchases, sanitation improvements, potable water deployment, social ceremonies, higher education, computer training and house improvements.

Recently, the Joint Body assisted the entire Makaibari community by building 'samaj ghars' (small community centers), granting stipends to all senior school students, giving new Tiffin Boxes to all workers, providing loans to purchase dairy cows, granting monetary aid to cancer patients and to educate and encourage a new Herbal Unit promoting naturopathy and local herbal medicinal cures.

LEARNING CENTRE AT MAKAIBARI
Several years ago, a library was inaugurated with 1600 books with the help of the community and a couple of volunteers from the U.S. It follows all the principles of a good library - a card index system, books categorized properly, simple guidelines for all to follow and a couple of computers for both children and adults. The 2-story building houses a child care creche on the bottom floor which makes this a comprehensive learning and care center at the plantation.

 Your purchase of any Fair Trade tea directly contributes to the well-being of a tea worker.  Read more in our Blog here.  So keep selecting Fair Trade teas on our site.  It is an easy way of making the right choice.