English
- Philippines
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Korea is the 8th largest exporter and 6th largest importer of the Philippines and the fifth largest trading partner. Also the Philippines is Korea’s 17th largest exporter and 27th largest importer. However, till this day in many parts of Philippines, there are still issues including prostitution, drug crimes, poverty, and also children who aren’t able to get an education. Asia Fairtrade Network imports and sells Philippine mango products from Philippine fair trade organizations. Purchasing these products will allow you to get high quality products of the Philippines and to contribute to fair and sustainable trade with Filipino producers.
- Preda Foundation ( Profairtrade Development Enterprise )
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Our partner, the Preda Foundation located in the Philippines, is a human rights organization founded in 1974. Priest Shay Cullen, an Irish native, established this for homeless children on the streets exposed to the traumas and crimes of Filipino sex trafficking. Then he began working with poor Filipino farmers to start fair trade the following year. The money earned from fair trading is used to help the abused children, Aeta residents, and small farmers in the Mindanao region. Not only are mango farmers getting paid their fair price and fair trade premiums, but also education on organic farming, medical services and education for their children.
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Dried mango of Asia Fair Trade Network (AFN) works with Preda Foundation of the Philippines assisting the poor but honest famers and alienated and exploited children of the Philippines.
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Story of a mango farmer, El Difonso Ratunil
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How do you do? My name is Difonso. I grow mango in the Panabo City of Mindanao situated at the southern tip of the Philippines. In fact, I lived in a farming village called Agusan Del Sur where living was extremely difficult. As such, I move to Panabo City some 6 hours away from my home town in 1990 in search of a jobHow do you do? My name is Difonso. I grow mango in the Panabo City of Mindanao situated at the southern tip of the Philippines. In fact, I lived in a farming village called Agusan Del Sur where living was extremely difficult. As such, I move to Panabo City some 6 hours away from my home town in 1990 in search of a job.
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However, as I moved without any wealthy whatsoever, I worked as a tenant farmer living in an illegal shantytown when I met my current wife. I raise my 2 children by earning wages for the farming work on behalf of wealthy farmers as their tenant farmer and driving tricycle taxi in the evenings. After having heard in 2013 that Preda will purchase mangoes at good price through fair trade and provide support for education of children if farmers to join their network in growing mangoes, I began mango farming on my own. Currently, 80% of my household income is generated from mango farming.
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Meeting Preda was the most fortunate thing in my life. I did not know what fair trade is at first. However, I was assured that fair trade not only purchases mangoes at good price but also look after the livelihood of the farmer’s family and neighbors. Preda purchases mangoes twice a year. Preda not only offers better price if I manage to grown and harvest better mangoes, but also pays fair trade premium of 2 Pesos per kg.
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By collecting and saving this fair trade premium, I was able to purchase 1.5 hectares of my own farm land this year for the first time in my life. Although it is situated on inclined land at the mountain ridge, I planted corn and coconut on my land. In addition, I am using the fair trade premium to provide better education for my children, which has increased to 3 now. I am so grateful. This bag I am holding is the school bag that Preda fair trade provided when the children of farmers enroll into schools. It is my dream to have my children complete the education they are dreaming of with the income generated from mangoes I grow with utmost sincerity.
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