Year 3 go bananas!
16th November 2018
Following on from our exploration last week of the journey of a banana from St Lucia to England, this week Year 3 had the opportunity to experience the difficulties Banana farmers in St Lucia face and how this affects their livelihood.
The Banana Challenge!
In groups of four, with limited resources, the children had to make as many bananas as they could in ten minutes. They were then given different scenarios that St Lucian farmers face on a daily basis that affect their ability to gain financial security. Some children had their income reduced as a result of drought, some by ill health and some by falling banana prices. One group managed to increase their income with the help of extra resources provided due to being part of a Fair Trade cooperative. This led to a rich discussion the benefits of Fair Trade and how it supports and protects workers in small organizations.
We also looked at how the money paid by the consumer is apportioned to the suppliers, which the children thought was very unfair.
Emily - The farmers deserve a lot more than 3p per banana because they do all work.
Fair Trade - it’s in the name.
Karam - If you are not part of Fair Trade you don’t earn as much money.
Callum - If you are in a Fair Trade Cooperative you will get paid the money you deserve,
if not you won’t even have enough money to live.
Oliver - I think the farmers should get 10p per banana because without the farmer there would be no bananas to sell.
Saskia - The farmers should receive the most money, they do most of the work and without their bananas a lot of people like the wholesalers and retailers would not have a job.