McKenzie Coffee Fair Trade Program Coordinator [Portland, Oregon]
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	Kate and McKenzie take a drumming lesson.
		Description: (Cape Coast & Krobo, Ghana. Apr - Jun 2007) 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 in the US and by IFAT in Europe for practicing fair trade principles. Now that the product line as a whole is recognized for practicing fair trade principles, WIP wanted to ensure the individual producers of the Global Mamas network are practicing fair trade principles. WIP needed help with revamping its fair trade certification process and rolling it out in a new location. Accomplishments: McKenzie jumping right in and helped WIP with the following: Conducted a series of interviews with the women in the Global Mamas network, carried out fair trade educational sessions, and conducted many site visits to the women's workshops. Upgraded our process for conducting the fair trade certification program for the members of Global Mamas to ensure they were carrying out business according to fair trade standards. Helped put in place an improved method to track the stages of the certification process. Launched the fair trade certification program in one of WIP's new locations, Odumase-Krobo. Presented the inaugural 16 fair trade certificates to qualifying Global Mamas at the roundtable meeting. Helped to re-organize the Global Mamas store in Cape Coast, designed store displays to better merchandise the Global Mamas products. Helped to get out three large Global Mamas export shipments. Highlights: The most memorable experience for McKenzie was attending the round table meeting and contributing to the fair trade section of the meeting. Her most satisfying experience was working with Thomas in Krobo since he was interested in learning and asked a lot of questions. It was refreshing for McKenzie to meet someone so engaged with what I was saying and eager to learn. "I remember the first time I ventured to the office on my own. It was a rough morning as I was still jet lagged and adjusting to the climate. I arrived sweaty hot, disheveled and a bit overwhelmed. This was also the first day I met all the women in the office. I couldn't believe how beautiful and trendy they were! I quickly became embarrassed with my worn out presence. From that day on I decided not to be lackadaisical with myself despite the heat!" close window