July 26, 2002
I'm in the middle of an intensive four day watershed training course which is mighty fine. I would potentially be interested in getting involved in either Fair Trade education and fundraising or maybe both. I definitely enjoyed speaking with the children and would love to do that more as well. I used three main props which I felt were very effective: a laminated blown up photo of the multi colored cacao pods on a tree, a few handfulls of raw cacao beans still in their shell and lastly we had some chocolate treats donated from Whole Foods Market through Rapunzel. Also, I don't know that it's a blanket approach that would work, but the idea of reparenting, and that the children can teach their parents went over very well. Anyways keep me filled in,
June 16, 2002
I just got back from a dandy permaculture course. I had about 45 personalized 1st grader ballots for the M&M's campaign. I look forward to getting more going. I am getting a few more potential school talks lined up for the fall.
May 30, 2002
I just had a fun afternoon with 40 first graders at Garin elementary school, Antioch area. They made their own personalized vote cards to M&M's and I had them all hopped up on reparenting their parents into getting Fair Trade coffee to protect the rainforest as well. The chocolate I got donated from Whole Foods market was Rapunzel Lady Bugs. I have to try the Green and Black chocolate because I actually know the guy who runs the coop in southern Belize for them.
I agree about getting the kids involved to get the parents on the Fair Trade programs. I would love to figure out a way to get a good program of regular visits at different schools. Many of my girlfriend's friends are teachers and so I want to try and set more up for the next school year.