14 Nov 2008

SATEMWA EXPECTS THE CO-OP VISITORS IN NOVEMBER

As if by coincidence and as if driven by an invisible hand, Satemwa will be hosting yet another contingent of high profile visitors from the co-op from the UK. They will be accompanied by Findlays Beverages who are one of the biggest Malawi Fair Trade Tea buyers.
Coincidentally, they will be coming at a time when our Fairtrade certificate has just been renewed after it was suspended. Their visit raises some hopes of sales opportunities.
While celebrating for the certificate workers, pupils and secondary school students and members of the community who have benefited from the Fair trade premium are preparing songs and dances with which to entartain the visitors. It is all happy momemnts.
Another good thing about this visit is that they will be able to meet Mr Pulmesuer the Borehole driller who skillfully uses his copper magic wands to devine where he can find enough water. He is currently sinking boreholes in the surrounding villages.
Employees dancing to one of the famous dances inthe area as they
prepare for the Co-op visitors

For more info, visit: http://www.satemwa.com/

11 Nov 2008

SATEMWA FAIR TRADE CERTIFICATE SUSPENSION IS LIFTED -CERTIFIED TILL 2011

The Satemwa Fair trade certificate that was suspended due to nonconformities that came out as a result of the March 2008 audit has finally been lifted and a Certificate issued. One interesting thing is that the certificate will be valid until 2011.
We have learnt some lessons out of the exercise we undertook to regain the uncertain situation we were in.
1. To be certified one needs to do more than a normal producer would.
2. To be fair trade certified requires total commitment and sacrifice.
3. There is need to take a mainstream approach so that the FT standard becomes part of business processes.
At the end of the day we are all smiles ofcourse after a lot of hard work in ensuring that all nonconformities are corrected.
Thanks to Matthias and Simon for their untiring support during the time of our suspension.
Also we are very appreciative to Marla for her swift feedback.
To our buyers and prospective buyers, the message is that we are now back as Fair trade certified producers having satisfied FLO-CERT requirements once again.

For more info. http// www.satemwa.com