Pupils at Low Moor Church of England Primary School, Bradford, today hosted a Fairtrade coffee afternoon for parents and guardians as part of their Archbishop of York Young Leaders Award. The children have been learning about Fairtrade products and the difference that this can make for farmers and workers in developing countries.

Young Leaders Award Teacher Sarah Horner said:

“Through our topic of Brazil,  the pupils have learned about the journey of coffee from bean to cup and how Fairtrade makes a difference to the producers. The pupils wanted to share this information with their friends and family through inviting them to a coffee afternoon. The YLA is helping our pupils to understand the vital role they can play in their community and its future. They have already organised collections for the Food Bank, helped to tidy up the local area and encouraged wildlife to visit the school grounds but they are looking forward to completing more projects in which they will be the change they want to see!”

Youth Trust Primary Schools Lead Kate Denney said

“It has been amazing to see these pupils in action this afternoon. By learning more about Fairtrade, and the difference that this can make to local farmers and producers, these children are also learning more about themselves too and how they can make a difference in school, in local communities and further afield.”

“Fairtrade is important because the farmers have to get a fair wage for what they’ve done. You can get Fairtrade coffee, tea, hot chocolate and biscuits and it will all help them look after their family.” Millie, Year 4 Pupil

Fairtrade Fortnight takes place 29 February to 13 March 2016 – for more information and resources, please visit: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

To date the Youth Trust have enrolled 328 Primary and Secondary schools to the Young Leaders Awards, empowering some 34,600 young people to put leadership into action and make a difference in other people’s lives through acts of service and community volunteering.