‘Kite Day’ thinks of the poor everywhere

While governments, agencies and commercial and non-commercial organisations have been citing eradication of poverty as the single most important factor in achieving economic growth, social progress and reducing inequity, one not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand has shown how to do more and talk less.

Trade Aid, which is currently celebrating its 40^th anniversary, will mark March 3, 2013 as ‘Kite Day,’ with thousands of kites that people can purchase, paint their own messages and fly them over the Epsom area in Central Auckland.

Sanjay Kumarasingham, one of the organisers, said that 1000 kites made by a Trade Aid partner in Thailand will be sold at the Epsom event.

“The programme will include entertainment by local musicians Jesse Sheehan and the Marionettes and other ethnic groups. There will also be face painting, card making, stamping and story-telling, food and fair trade coffee or chocolate,” he said.

Trade Aid Co-Founder Vi Cottrell, artistes from TVNZ drama ‘Nothing Trivial’ will be among the others attending the event.

She established Trade Aid with her husband Richard and ten others as a not-for-profit society in 1973, aiming to create ‘a more just world.’

“Their vision was to create a better world by providing avenues for fair trade and paying people for their skills and products.

“The organisation has grown from strength to strength and has developed into 29 Trade Aid shops, working with more than 75 producer partners from Africa, Asia and Latin America,” Mr Kumarasingham said.

He said support extended to ‘Trade Aid’ was direct assistance to individuals and communities in the poorest areas of the world. The organisation works with cooperative groups to build capacity, ensure fair price, accord equal opportunity for women in decision-making.