WHAT IS FAIRTRADE?

I love wearing my super-cool WebbliShorts. They're made of cotton just like lots of the clothes you wear, such as jeans and T-shirts. But, many of the hard-working people who grow this cotton are paid hardly anything. In fact, they're so poor, they can't afford to buy cotton clothes for themselves. Sometimes, they don't even have enough money to feed their children. We don't think that's fair. Do you?

Fairtrade is a special charity that makes sure the people who grow the stuff we buy, like cotton, tea, coffee and chocolate are paid properly for all their hard work.

When I eat a bar of scrummy Fairtrade choccie, it makes me happy because I know that the person who grew the cocoa beans is happy, too.

WE CAN ALL DO OUR BIT

We Webblis really can make a difference. For a start, we can join in Fairtrade Fortnight. There are lots of fun events going on around the country. And you can join in the mega Banana eating challenge (see below).

We can also change they way we shop. If we eat Fairtrade food and buy clothes made from Fairtrade cotton, we show the big supermarkets that we won't put up with anything less. There are loads of Fairtrade products on sale such as tea, coffee, sugar, fruit, chocolate and flowers. Why not talk to your parents about it? Perhaps they don't know as much about Fairtrade as you do.

GO BANANAS IN FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

Did you know that many people who grow bananas earn less than £1 a day? That's the price of a packet of Go-Gos. The thought of it drives me bananas! But, we can all do something to help improve their lives. Scoff a Fairtrade banana any time between noon 6th March and noon 7th March and you'll be helping to break a world record! Plus, you'll be telling the world that it's good to care for each other.

Find out more, plus loads of banana fun and facts, here.

Do the Fairtrade quiz.

Why not get your school to join in? Or better still, become a Fairtrade School! Find out more, here.

Image: Marcus Lyons