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Jean-Marie, who was educated through the 3rd<\/sup> grade, possess a one acre coffee farm, which he relies on for his livelihood. Prior to forming a Fair Trade co-operative, they used to receive only pennies (from a middle man) for each pound of raw coffee cherries that they produced.\u00a0 The middle man dictated the price and would take the coffee cherries for further processing.<\/p>\n After forming the Fair Trade co-op with his community and securing loans to help him further process the product into coffee (which added more value per pound), Jean-Marie was able to sell direct to an exporter (not a middle man) and increased the price he received from a few cents to $3 per pound.<\/p>\n He was able to put his 6 kids in High School and they all graduated.\u00a0 As in many countries, although High School education is free, students have to wear shoes to attend and many families cannot afford the cost of shoes.\u00a0 So with his increased salary, Jean-Marie was able to buy shoes\/clothing for his kids so they could attend and graduate High School.<\/p>\n His community also benefited from the Fair Trade Co-op in many ways including buying health insurance for all families in the co-op and ensuring community access to local clean water to improve the health of its residents.<\/p>\n Paul met Jean-Marie a couple of weeks prior to the conference and told him that he would be speaking in Chicago and if he had a message for the audience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jean-Marie had the following messages:<\/p>\n \u201cI am happy and proud to make good coffee for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope to meet you one day.\u00a0 Please visit Rwanda\u2026 you are welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease pay a few cents more for our coffee.\u00a0 It makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease tell others to join our Fair Trade movement.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul concluded his session stating \u201cyou too can make a difference everyday\u2026.with bars of chocolate, bananas, articles of clothing, etc.\u00a0 At the end of the day, it\u2019s all about the consumer.\u00a0 If it stays on the shelf, there is no impact.\u00a0 If it sells, we win.\u00a0 If it doesn\u2019t sell, we lose.\u00a0 Consumers have to join the cause\u2026they are the sleeping giant. Let\u2019s wake them up!\u00a0 The public has the power.\u00a0 The consumer has the power\u2026to be a force for good in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a>