Saturday, April 22, 2006

Fair trade



When I was in Peru I learned one thing. World isn't a fair place and I had accepted it. I'll explain this a little. Many of the people living in slums had a job. The problem was that they were paid half of the minimum wage and they had hard time to try to live with that little money. Many of the women worked in clothing factories. In order to survive they had to work to get at least the little money they got. While it wasn't enough their children had to work too at least few hours a day.

I started thinking that if only they got the minimum wage the situation would be so much better. They would get twice as much money as earlier. I thought that why isn't it happening. Then I realized that we here in western world want to have everything as cheaply as possible. We don't care who makes our stuff, how they make them etc. as long as they are cheap to us! I got mad to myself and for the system. The poor don't have any means to fight for themselves so we take advantages of them.

So what can I do? Not much but I'm trying to make a difference. That's why I've started to use fair trade products as often as I can. I know, they are more expensive but the people who made it possible for me to have them get the salary they earn. I wouldn't work with half a salary of what I should get so why should anyone?

The newest thing you can get through fair trade here in Finland are clothes. You can get them from the store called Reilun Kaupan Tähti. They have their own selection of ethical wear. I bought the blazer and I love it. It's personal, ethical and good looking. It's made in Nepal. The designer of the clothes is Finnish.

Anyway using fair trade products is a way to say that I don't accept the unfair world. I want people to have the same opportunities. I don't want to be indifferent but I'll do my share in changing the world. As long as I can remember those dear moments and lovable children in Peru I'm motivated to pay little extra for products I use!

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Visiting Loppi


My parents moved to Loppi almost two months ago. We haven't had time to visit them before but on a Easter holiday we were able to do that. It is very different from Hanko where they used to live. As a lake person I think I'm going to learn to like Loppi. I really like the fact that my parents are so free to move and i doing so we will get to know new places. I had never visited Hanko before my parents moved there and now it's the same thing with Loppi. I enjoy getting to know new places.

Here are some pictures from the lake Loppi.

You will always find jiggers on the lakes on sun shine. Unfortunately number of them drown on spring time when the ice gives up under them. It looks nice way to spend a day. On a sunny ice with no rush...

Boats are waiting for the ice to melt...


Snow is already melting so there is a lot of water all over...


That's why children like to play outside...

It was a dream-come-true day for our girls today while grandparents took them horseback riding in Loppi. I think they were both bit by the horsefly so maybe we will be spending time on a stable from now on. I wouldn't mind. I still love horses. A friend of mine had her horse in our stable for many years and I got to ride a lot with it. And take care of it too. I think horses are a good hobby. Quite expensive tough. Well, look at the pics from the stable:

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Palm Sunday

Tomorrow it's time for children to get out with their decorated willow branches and bring good wishes for the coming year to neighbours and relatives or just anyone that happens to open the door for them. Children get chocolate eggs, money or some other little reward from the person they give the branch with a special fortune rhyme. So the more you have branches the richer you'll become.

Here you can see the branches our girls decorated. I guess they will get more than enough chocolate tomorrow!

When I was a child we used to take the branches to the orthodox church for blessing the day before so that the branches would give God's blessings for the person who gets to be tapped with it. I like that idea a lot. It is time to remember our Savior at this time of the year!

VIRVON VARVON TUOREEKS TERVEEKS
TULEVAKS VUUVEKS
VITSA SULLE, PALKKA MULLE
JUMALA SINUA SIUNATKOON!