To help eliminate the effects of world poverty through sustainable commercial trade

Trade Aid UK is the trademark for Trade Aid International Limited. By providing a top quality sugar product, we aim to give the consumer a new choice for this most basic of commodities. At the same time, customers can be confident that they are making a real difference. Established as an alternative supplier of household sugars, profits generated are donated to help people who are deprived of the basic necessities of life, such as water, food, healthcare and housing. We do this through:

• Offering the consumer sugar that is high in quality but with an added charitable dimension.
• Channelling profits generated from trading operations towards aid projects.
• Assisting other charitable organisations in funding specific relief programmes.
• Supporting initiatives which encourage communities to become self sufficient, not aid reliant.

Primarily, our concerns are directed to help alleviate the effects of poverty. To do this effectively, we support existing aid agencies that already have established efficient infrastructures so that we can be confident that funds are being used to target specific problem areas.

We recognise that poverty is but one of the major causes of suffering. Catastrophic events, such as natural disasters and the ravages of war, also require major funding efforts, often at short notice. Therefore, in times of need, proceeds from the sale of our sugar will also be directed to such relief efforts, as and when required.

Many Aid agencies exist to work to eliminate the effects of poverty, disaster and war. Such ongoing efforts require substantial financial resources. Whilst Trade Aid UK is not the full answer, we can be part of the solution. Our main concerns are towards housing, education, water supplies and health care programmes. Funds are channelled through existing aid agencies, such as Links International. This is an efficient use of resources but also means that we can carefully monitor where and how funds are being used and the effectiveness of individual aid projects.

 

Housing

Favellas or slums are very common in developing countries where conditions are awful and disease is a normal part of everyday life. Children are often denied basic education with the result that the cycle of poverty continues from generation to generation. We are able to help break this cycle and bring hope, positive change and self sufficiency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education

A lack of education opportunities for millions of children across the globe ensures that the effects of poverty, such as crime and famine, are unremitting. Without affordable schooling, these children have little or no future. In some countries, the street is a child's only home and childhood can be lost in a culture of drugs, prostitution and crime. However, access to education does offer that essential lifeline to a better future. Successful education programmes do exist in many of the world's deprived areas. These are helping to turn the tide but funding, be it for major building projects or simple reading and writing materials, is needed to ensure that this essential work continues unabated.

 

Water

A 'Billion Reasons' to buy Trade Aid sugar? In the world today it is estimated that over 1.4 billion people do not have access to clean water and some 1.8 billion people lack proper sanitation; figures which only get worse with the onset of war, famine and drought. A supply of clean drinking water is the most basic of human requirements. However, for millions of people this still remains a luxury, as they have to walk several miles every day to simply collect their water or, worse, relying on dirty, contaminated and disease ridden sources.

The cycle of famine, induced by drought, is often seen to repeat itself. In times of famine, children's growth can be held back, both physically as well as mentally. There is no income to pay for schooling and all 'hands' are needed to scrape a meagre living off the land. With much of the day spent trying to collect water, it is not surprising that the ability to learn how to effectively farm the land and manage scarce water resources is lost; hence famine is often a year on year blight. Ironically, in many cases, the simple tasks of being able to bore wells, obtain basic pumps and store water in the rainy season is all that it takes to radically transform the fortunes of whole communities. Basic measures such as these can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.

Most of the time we, in the West, can happily turn on the tap and enjoy water without a thought. We can give that privilege to others...there are A 'Billiion Reasons' to buy our sugar.