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Because of the great success and delight BuzzFlash readers had in eating the dried bags of pineapple and mango (separately packaged) that we offered last week, we are offering a delightful mixed bag of tropical dried fruit that includes banana, mango, coconut, papaya.

And it's a Fair Trade item from Level Ground Trading Fair Trade, straight from the Andes. You can read more about the wonderful Level Ground organization here. They do tremendous work to provide livable wage jobs and training, in this case in Colombia.

Fruandes is the result of a Level Ground Trading funding and MCC (Mencoldes, Colombia) relief efforts. Seed capital, business expertise and training were supplied to the Fruandes project in order to establish a company which would provide a fair market price for fruit to small scale farmers and employment for disadvantaged women in Bogota Colombia.

Level Ground Trading president, Hugo Ciro and co-founder, Tracey Ciro visited Fruandes to understand the needs of the workers. Fruandes makes every effort to employ marginalized women who are the sole providers for their families. The women have requested funding for further training and skill building. Level Ground Trading is ensuring this need is met.

Last week BuzzFlash featured the story of woman who found job training and livable wages through this project. Here is the story of another Colombian woman benefiting from this Fair Trade dried fruit project.

Judith

Judith has 7 children. Her family was unable to live together; her eldest son and daughter were taken by the paramilitary; 3 of her children (ages 9-14 years) are day laborers in various parts of the country; and her two youngest daughters are at home with Judith. When Judith's daughter was returned by the paramilitary, pregnant, Judith moved herself and her 3 daughters to Bogota. They were homeless until Mencoldes provided a patch of land and some bricks for them to build a room.

Judith's work at Fruandes is the sole support for 5 people (3 daughters and a new grandchild). Her two youngest daughters are now able to attend school and the whole family receives health care. Judith's dream is to become a seamstress. Level Ground Trading and Fruandes will ensure that a sewing machine and any necessary training are provided for Judith to realize that dream.

In its first year of business Fruandes created employment for 12 people. Sales of Frutos de los Andes in Canada and the United States will expand the market for Fruandes' product and will provide employment for more women like Judith.

In April of 2005, Level Ground Trading assisted Judith with a micro-credit loan for a new house. This house makes it possible for her to move out of Cazuca, a refugee slum on the outskirts of Bogot�.

Frutos is tropical fruit grown, hand-cut and naturally dried in Bogota, Colombia. Frutos is dried without any added sugar or preservatives - just fresh fruit!

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS