Volunteers/Interns Living Near Leatherhead, Surrey, England

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Volunteer Location
Belinda Cooper,
General Business Advisor
Leatherhead, Surrey, England
Sarah Parish,
Interviewer/Researcher
Cobham, United Kingdom
Danielle Peck,
Photographer & Writer
London, UK
Liz Gentilcore,
Fair Trade Certification Program Developer
London, UK
Laura Boardman,
Designer
London, UK
Ray Zhang,
Financial Analyst
London, England
Lisa Mok,
Business Analyst
Slough, England
Katie Portwin,
International E-commerce Consultant
Oxford, England
Keziah Newlove ,
Batik Designer
Cambridge, UK
Natalie Sturman,
Fashion Designer
Ipswich, England
Catherine Deane,
New Product Development
Hereford, England
Belinda Cooper
General Business Advisor
[Leatherhead, Surrey, England]


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Volunteer


Vacation
Belinda works with a new Global Mamas seamstress, Molly, and WIP's QC Manager, Theresa, with introducing a new halter top for ladies.

Description: One of the major initiatives of WIP is to assist women owned businesses to export a line of apparel, accessories, and home décor under the brand name Global Mamas. One aspect of the Global Mamas product line that gives it a significant competitive edge is that Global Mamas has been recognized by the Fair Trade Federation for practicing fair trade principles (such as paying a fair wage for production, assistance with business growth, financial support through a raw material revolving loan fund, etc.). Now that the product line as a whole is recognized for practicing fair trade principles, WIP needs to assess the individual women owned businesses that comprise the Global Mamas Cooperative to evaluate to what degree the business owners practice fair trade principles.

Achievements: Belinda kicked off the Global Mamas fair trade project through the following:
  • Facilitated a discussion at the Global Mamas roundtable meeting to introduce fair trade principles to the Cooperative.
  • Initiated a Fair Trade Certification within Global Mamas where each business will be audited to ensure they embrace Fair Trade principles.
  • Researched fair trade network in Europe and set in motion WIP's certification by IFAT.
  • Examined the effect of dyes and chemicals used in the batiking process and prepared a report on the minuscule effect that the Global Mamas dyes have on the environment.
  • Worked with local jewelry makers in the production of handbag and mobile phone charms.
  • Developed two new ladies' halter tops with a new Global Mamas seamstress.
  • Documented the patterns and stamping designs for new products in the Home Décor line.
 Highlights: Belinda's highlight was meeting the Global Mamas and participating in and being part of a truly remarkable set up. She also enjoyed returning to West Africa where she was brought up.

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