2010 and the effects of the global economy on Ethnic Supplies

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A week in June at the BBC Gardener’s World exhibition served to reinforce what Ida is aware has been happening so much already this year at events, exhibitions, school fairs and from enquiries to the Ethnic Supplies website:

(The mainly ladies of) ‘middle England’ types want the quality of goods and workmanship Ida’s ladies provide; they won’t hesitate to proudly carry an African basket, and feel good about the idea of buying ethically rather than as a result of sweatshop labour BUT, and it’s a big BUT in these times, they want a bargain. They’re not buying in the amounts of this time last year and neither are they prepared to pay the price of a year ago.

Meanwhile, back in Uganda, a middle class native woman counterpart would rather have a Gucci or a plastic Primark bag as trappings of her status than a beautiful one of natural material made locally. So the women from the villages and poor quarters of Africa continue to need access to overseas fair markets and fair terms of trading in order to get themselves out of poverty.

They don’t want the handouts from international aid or remittances home from the African Diaspora (as it is referred to). Talking to Ida, listening to other interviews, looking around at websites you can’t help but get the feeling there’s a growing voice opining that economic aid to Africa is wrong – that it’s not the way to go. And maybe it begs more questions than there are currently answers to, starting with:

AID: How much of an industry is it and for whom?

During a recent conversation Ida told me about a coffee plantation she and a UK retailer visited to check out its ‘green’ credentials as a potential supplier. The owner proudly related that he had received expert aid to ‘go organic’.

There wasn’t a chemical fertilizer or anything that could be said to have resembled one in sight and no evidence of any ever having been used. Everything was organic and natural – the way the plantation had been farmed since the very beginning. Yet some foreigner was getting aid funding as an ‘expert ‘ to come and teach African farmers something they could have taught him a thing or two about with their eyes closed and one hand tied behind their back! Where, I ask you, is the sense in that?

Then there are roads. Yes, the roads are welcomed but they are constructed by foreign companies using foreign labour that swallow up all the foreign funds provided as aid. When the roads fall into disrepair, which they inevitably do, there’s neither the local knowledge or expertise, or the materials to mend them.

If there is real interest in helping poor black Africans at source, why aren’t western countries providing experts to them how to add value to raw products? Countries that, for example buy the diamonds that these people dig out of the deep mines at often great personal risk (I don’t think they actually have much choice of employment) and for a comparative pittance, and then cut, polish, finish and mount them and then stick a huge price tag on them?

Ida’s response to a comment on a blog of hers here in June:

“G20/G8 do not engage African leaders in any meaningful way and I can’t help but wonder if that isn’t indeed part of the problem. If they took the grievances of poor governance, corruption directly to Africa or even told them directly that Europe is struggling financially so don’t expect more handouts without you doing your part maybe just maybe that would make a difference… or maybe I am being naive here I sincerely don’t know”

A lot of people talk about poverty in Africa. Ida has experienced it and knows that a lot of aid money is being wasted. Anybody here know anyone who’d like to have a shot at responding to Ida’s observations?

Let’s return to Ida’s ladies and Ethnic Supplies

Ida has said that ideally her time would be divided roughly equally between:

Speaking with the policy makers in the UK and relevant African countries – governments, NGOs and retailers – she is articulate, educated, informed and passionate and, if anyone can influence decision making in this area, it’s Ida .

And recruiting in-country the women who produce the goods; monitoring and recording over time the tangible differences this work makes to their lives and that of their families.

Okay. Now maybe I’m being cynical and I really hope that’s the case, but here goes:

Policy makers

Whose interest is it in to raise these women out of poverty and enable them to educate their children – the next generation of Africans?

Ida has been no slouch over the past three years, getting herself in front of any- and everyone who could make a positive difference yet she’s still very much a lone crusader with no big hitters openly and publicly backing her.

She’s self admittedly uncomfortable selling yet she has time after time had appointments with potential stockists who’ve weaselled out of commitment for one feeble reason or another – from part of Harrods to John Lewis and lots of others in between and up and down the social spectrum.

What’s the message we can take from that?

Individuals care. Businesses (and government and NGOs are every bit as much businesses as retailers) don’t.

Ideas please

Ida has had no funding from anyone for three years. She has reached the point where she needs backing from someone who believes in what she’s trying her da*nedest to help these women achieve or she’ll need someone to return to a form of employment where she can once again bring her people and project management skills to a fortunate employer.

One thing’s for sure: she can no longer play lady bountiful.

Linda

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About Linda Mattacks
Doing what you love, your bit for humankind and the planet (if that turns you on) and making a decent, let alone great living don't necessarily come in the same package! With a background of sales training, marketing and market/marketing research spanning decades, for individuals and companies across the world from micros to corporations, Linda's finally found her niche... and some truly fabulous collaborators. Female employer, employee or entrepreneur, if you're not seeing the fruits of your potential value in the marketplace why not talk to Linda? Call +44(0)7879 628 367
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