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Nicole, Director at Universal Village, enjoys a cup of coffee in Laos; (Right) A lot of the processing work is done by hand. |
Universal Village, a fantastic fair trade company based in Australia, has committed 30 cents per packet sold of their Rhino coffee to MAG’s clearance work in Laos, where the coffee beans are sourced.
The company specialises in Fairtrade products such as coffee, tea and chocolate. Their business philosophy is that people should be treated as an end unto themselves, not as a means to an end, and they believe that everyone should have the opportunity to contribute.
Unexploded ordnance in Lao PDRLao PDR is the most bombed country in the world per capita. More than two million tons of ordnance was dropped on the country during the Second Indochina War. Up to 30 per cent of some types of ordnance did not detonate. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination still affects more than 25 per cent of Lao villages. More than 50,000 people have been killed or injured as a result of UXO accidents since 1964. UXO contamination also remains a key cause of poverty, as it prevents people from using land and denies them access to basic services. Collecting scrap metal is a major cause of UXO accidents. Forced into the trade by poverty, people risk their lives hunting for scrap: normally what they find is harmless, but there’s always the risk it could be a deadly bomb. See also: |
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Most of their products are processed and packaged in their country of origin, ensuring that this is where most of the value and income is generated.
Following a visit to Laos, Director of Universal Village Nicole Lamond Philp decided that she would love to be able to give something back to the vulnerable communities whose lives continue to be affected by deadly items of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Hence, Nicole is really pleased to be joining forces with MAG!
“It’s so important that people have an opportunity to better their own life,” she says. “To do that, people firstly need the basics; shelter, food, community and a certain amount of security. Living with UXO can severely undermine a person’s sense of security’.
MAG’s Sarah Tavener adds: “MAG is thrilled to be working with Nicole and Universal Village.
"Through the sale of the Rhino Coffee, Universal Village is helping MAG’s work in Laos, allowing us to continue with our vital and lifesaving UXO and cluster munitions clearance and destruction.
“This will result in safer lives and better futures for the vulnerable communities living in affected areas, removing the threat of death or injury and clearing land, which can then be safely used for agriculture, infrastructure and community development. We’re so grateful for their support.”
For more information regarding Universal Village please visit www.universalvillage.com.au.
To purchase their fantastic coffee and other fair trade products please go to their online shop.
Find out what MAG is doing in Lao PDR.
For more information on working with MAG, please contact Sarah Tavener: 0161 238 5454, sarah.tavener@maginternational.org.
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