Ressurection Cocoa, Flightless Coffee

Neither Kevin or I, want this CCSP blog to be an "overtly educational" one - rather just an informative resource for interested friends, families, and pals all around the blue/green globe to see what we CCSPer's are up to.  But, while we've got your attention this might be a nice chance to share about a few things that we care about here - issues that we are concerned with learning more about, and doing what we can to contribute to the evaporation of oppression and poverty the world over.  No one here is claiming we can "save the world,"  BUT as the weeks go by, and we sit in class and let ourselves be stirred up by what we are learning, and seeing, and experiencing, it becomes pretty clear that we can love people by how we use our money, by the items we buy, and by knowing where they come from.  And although we might need to do our homework a little bit and try to understand the bigger systems (economic, political) that we are a part of, making ethical choices with our purses is something that feels really good.  

Trade Aid is an organization here in New Zealand, (we've mentioned them before on our blog, I think) that seeks to give Third World producers a fair price, and thus a fair chance at supporting themselves and their families.  Though we are far removed geographically from coffee growers in Ethiopia, or Cocoa farmers in the rich basins of East Africa, or the Olive harvesters in Palestine - we can be close to them in our hearts and with our support.  

[Our support doesn't have to be limited to these big over the sea initiatives either, ya know!  We can empower local people as well, by buying produce that comes from people that live in your area, or purchasing meat for eating from a local (organic) butcher, or even just getting some of your apples from a local farmers market.  It doesn't have to be much, but at least you get to know the guy or gal that you are buying apples from.  Make a friend, eat an apple.  ]

Check out the feature film - 'Black Gold' a film about coffee production and the harsh economics that strangle far away farmers so that Americans and other Western folk can have their massive selection of gourmet coffees.