Our Story and Commitment to Fair Trade

Mission Statement:

To work in partnership with crafters and craft focused social enterprises in Southern Africa to build capacity for income generation and financial security for families, and always considering wellbeing of individuals and respect for the environment. 

The Background

My background is in Nutrition with more than a hint of international politics, and I still work as a Dietitian in the NHS in the area of maternal health.

Yho!Yho! was established to combine my love of Southern Africa with the desire to source products for young children which were original, fun and provided a source of income for mothers. The criteria for products is that they are practical, colourful and I would want to buy them. And all must be made in accordance with the principles of Fair Trade. 

Fair Trade

Fair trade is  very different  to conventional world trade. It is a partnership trading relationship between producers and consumers, based on mutual benefit and respect.

The idea of Fair Trade was born 80 years ago and had its origins in the charity sector of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and religious groups. The goal was always and remains, to ensure that artisans, workers and farmers producing goods get a fair wage for the work they do. The first products bought on fair trade terms were handicrafts, and then later tea and coffee.  The disastrous collapse in global coffee prices in the late 1980s led to the launch of the first Fairtrade certification label (or Fairtrade Mark ) in the Netherlands in 1988.  The terms of this fairer trading system included a guaranteed minimum price for coffee which would protect coffee farmers from the loss of their livelihoods.  The now widely recognised square black, blue and green Fairtrade Mark continues to ensure a minimum price is set for purchase so that producers of commodities such as bananas, tea, coffee and cotton have insurance against the wild price variations of the international trading system. The Fairtrade price also includes a social premium to be used within communities for development projects. The Fairtrade Mark design is owned and protected by Fairtrade International (FLO). All products carrying the Fairtrade Mark are verified as having been produced under fair work, pay and environmental conditions and monitoring is ongoing. 

But What about Crafts ?

The Fairtrade Mark is not relevant for small scale craft producers and artisans who create goods  rather than grow a specific crop.   It is very important that there is a verification system for enterprises running their businesses  in accordance with fair and transparent principles.

 

 

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is a membership organisation of with a certification system which verifies  enterprises are operating in accordance with the 10 Principles of Fair Trade. These principles align directly with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals drawn up by the United Nations. 

 

 

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is the global community and verifier of enterprises that fully practise our 10 Fair Trade Principles.

 

 

 

Key partners

In the UK: Gill Howard

  

I fell in love with Africa in Primary school after reading about an explorer's incredible encounter with hippos.  Twenty years, and a few travels later I married a South African and we moved to Cape Town.  As a qualified dietitian I was inspired by the craft businesses which were part of many nutrition projects in South Africa.  These helped mothers to develop skills and earn an independent income to support their families.

Back in the Scottish Borders, and with 3 children, I wanted to source original children's products from some of those tiny businesses. Yho!Yho! is a Xhosa phrase which describes, surprise and delight. A good name for what I wanted to create.

Our elephant backpacks are cheerfully and proudly unique to Yho!Yho! Our range also includes long sleeve t-shirt tops, and bibs decorated with African animal appliqué. We also stock fabulous Fairtrade certified fruit and vegetable rattles and seasonal beadwork for extra little thing gifts.

In South Africa: Our inspiration

Marianna Carolissen was the original powerhouse behind the design and production of most of Yho!Yho!'s range.  Marianna learned her sewing skills in a clothing factory and then supervised work at a local craft project. She created our range of backpacks with her amazing eye for detail. Her embroidery skills gave each a personality of its own. She also designed the appliqué animals which decorate our t-shirt tops. We have always been proud of the colour range of these tops - each one a tiny bit different.  Tragically Marianna passed away in December 2019.

A family business: Tarien

We are delighted that Marianne's daughter Tarien is now working with us. She was taught sewing by her Mom and used to help with some of the appliqué work squares. Though lockdown we acquired grant funding to support Tarien to build her sewing skills working on a new range of shweshwe and soft cotton bibs. Her gorgeous young daughter is of course our favourite model.  

 

 

 

       

Yho!Yho! Ethos: South Africa to UK

Yho!Yho! elephants are made from linen and cotton fabric woven in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Many fabrics available in South Africa are imported from the Far East. This trend has decimated a previously vibrant textile industry. Elephants are stuffed with a recycled stuffing made near Durban. This means that we support local employment at every step of backpack production.

All our T-shirt tops are made from organic cotton or cotton in conversion to organic and all are traceable to origin. Production respects workers rights with everyone involved being paid above local minimum wage, with verified good working condition. Several styles made in a family run factory in Tanzania, and our appliqué animals are created from unique South African shweshwe print fabric and other offcuts to minimise fabric waste. Our new line of bandana bibs also uses colourful shweshwe print.

Our packaging is always recycled and recyclable.

As a Fair Trade business Yho!Yho! is committed to fair and transparent trading practices. We adhere strictly to the 10 principles of Fair Trade advocated by the World Fair Trade Forum WFTO. These include: Promoting  opportunities for disadvantaged producers, Capacity Building, Fair wages and working practices,  and Respect for the Environment. 

Yho!Yho! is a member of the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers (BAFTS).