The Impact of Fair Trade on Community Building in Kenya

Any definition of a culture of peace must address the problem of achieving justice for communities and individuals who do not have the means to compete or cope without structured assistance and compassionate help By Mahnaz Afkhami

Galo Palacio, Grigorios Sarantis & Alexander Robbs

IntroductionWhat is community building?• “Community Building is

the real relationship that people create between them” Jerry L. Hampton • The increase of equality,

solidarity and values of human rights, quality of life and the reduction of disconnect individuals

Kenya’s Background• Diversity of cultures,

languages, and behaviors • Unequal distribution of

wealth• Gini 42.5%

• 6% HIV/AIDS positive • GDP $70.85 billion• 40% Unemployment

Kenya needs Fair Trade

Group Diversity

22%

14%

13%12%

11%

6%

6%

15%

1%

Kikuyu

Luhya

Luo

Kalenji

Kamba

kisii

Meru

Other African

non-African (Asian, European, and Arab

Religious Diversity

45%

33%

10%

10%

2%

Protestan

Roman Catholic

Muslim

Indigeneous be-liefs

Others

Motivation • Gain better

understanding of Fair Trade and its effect on Kenyan communities• Raises standard of

living• Wealth creation• Fairer distribution of

wealth

• Create awareness

Literature Review • Geert Hofstede analysis• Global EDGE date base• UNICEF• Ten Thousand Villages• Chapter “Exploration Into Personal Interface”• Centre for International Market Access (CIMA)• Kenya’s National Trade Policy• Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA)• SMOlart Self Help Group

Cultural Dimensions

PDI IDV MAS UAI LTO0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Kenya

USA

Raising Standards of Living• Wealth & Employment• Job creation

• Environment• Kenya Gatsby Trust (KGT)

• Oserian flower farm• Helping small growers into

commercial realms• Started 20 years ago with 30

members Now: 600 members

• Physical & Mental Health• Fairtrade Africa assists

farmers with HIV/AIDS• Premiums for healthcare

assistance

• Education• SACDEP: 450 benefit

from higher education • Economics of modern

agriculture• Schools attended by 95%

of farmer’s children

• Recreation & Leisure Time• Focus Group projects

lead to 66.7% direct benefit

• Social Belonging

Political Perspective• Trade policies• Compliance with WTO

• USAID cooperation• Collective decision making• Long-term goals of democratization and trade promotion

• COFTA’s services towards communities• Marketing and logistics

Conclusion• Fair trade helps build communities• Raises standard of living and quality of life• Good first step, but more can be accomplished• Power to the people!