Important Announcement: Moving and Massive Clearance Sale!   Dear Uplift Community, I hope this message finds you well. Today, we're reaching out with a mix of emotions as we share some significant news regarding Uplift Fair Trade's journey. After 12 wonderful years in Emu Plains, we find ourselves in the midst of change as we prepare to move our storage space. Unfortunately, the Baptist Union, owners of the building we have called home, have decided to sell the property to "optimize their asset." While this marks the end of an era for us, we want to express our de ..read more

Dear Friends, As we approach the festive season, I find myself reflecting on the journey that Christmas has been for me—a path from stress and anxiety to discovering true joy and embracing boundaries. I wanted to share a bit of my story in the hopes that it might resonate with some of you and offer a sense of connection during this special time. In my childhood, Christmases were often laden with conflict and anxiety. My grandfather's unpredictable temper and my sister's penchant for trouble added a layer of tension. Expectations loomed, especially on my mother, as she navigated the kitchen i ..read more

As I reflect on the journey of Uplift Fair Trade, I am filled with gratitude for each of you who have stood by us through thick and thin. Today, as I glance at our business bank account, there's a profound sense of achievement – we are merely $200 away from paying off a loan that once seemed insurmountable. Your online orders and visits to our pop-up shop have been the lifeline that kept our dream alive. The challenges of the past few years have tested me in ways we could never have anticipated. From the heart-wrenching decision to close our Katoomba shop to the drastic reduction in artisan ..read more

In the urgent battle against modern-day slavery, we must confront a crucial question: Is advocacy alone enough? Will advocacy end Modern day slavery?  Is lobbing government, running awareness campaigns about slavery, sending letters to companies about their supply chains all enough to see systematic change? While these things are extremely important to start the change it is not enough.  I believe it is absolutely essential that we rally behind and support ethical businesses who are already embodying change as well as advocacy . The gravity of this issue cannot be overstated, and t ..read more

In the tapestry of languages, there are certain words that carry profound meaning, transcending mere linguistic boundaries. One such word is "Shalom." At first glance, it might be translated as "peace," but its essence goes far deeper, resonating with the profound desire for complete wholeness and harmony. In this blog, we will explore the multifaceted layers of Shalom, its historical roots, its significance across various religions, and how it guides us towards living a life of purpose and fulfilment that's not always easy and comfortable.  Defining Shalom: Shalom, originating from Heb ..read more

In my journey, I've learned to embrace my dyslexia, even though it once posed challenges, especially during my school days. Those spelling mistakes on social media can be embarrassing, and missing out on my desired university course was disheartening. Yet, through these struggles, I've discovered the incredible strength within my neurodiversity. I perceive the world differently, feeling deeply and noticing nuances that others might overlook. My ability to read a room, solve problems swiftly, and process information uniquely has proven invaluable in my role as a small business owner. Having ex ..read more

  I’ve just got off a zoom with the amazing bunch of researchers from Baptist World Aid who by great efforts and hard work have contacted almost 300 clothing and footwear companies in Australia to ask them 46 questions about their labour practices, sourcing of raw materials and environmental impact. After the companies have answered these questions the team at Baptist world Aid have given each company a score out of 100. The best  was a Fairtrade brand called Mighty good basics at 86% and the next is Patagonia at 68% but the average score is only 29.25%!! I was amazed that these comp ..read more

Lessons learned from ABC Foreign Correspondent’s ‘Dead White Man’s Clothes’ Annually, 4 million tonnes of used textiles are shipped from the Global North to the Global South, speaking to the extent of environmental damage done by the fast fashion industry. This also is telling of the very real consequences of global consumption.   An ABC spotlight on Ghana reveals that 60% of landfill beside Korle Lagoon in the capital, Accra, is secondhand clothing. This is far from an idyllic environment for the 100,000 people living and working nearby. Weekly, the West African nation is burdened with a ..read more

The other day I was having a chat to one of our lovely wholesale customers in Australia. We were discussing how desperate the situation in India is at the moment. She mentioned that it seems more important than ever to support Fair Trade. This is so true in so many different ways. We have been so fortunate in Australia. Life seems to be so normal we easily forget the bigger picture. Lockdowns and travel restrictions have separated communities world wide, making it even easier to detach ourselves from awful situations. We need to remember we are still a global community and ..read more

Like shopping Fair Trade? Here a few ways to find and and buy your Fair Trade products!   1. Local Shopping Shopping in Fair Trade Local Shops Have a look in your local area to see if there are any retailers selling Fair Trade products. If you don't have all day to find one by looking in every store, it might be worthwhile to have have a look using internet. Try searching "Fair Trade shops near me" and hopefully something might come up!  When you buy Fair Trade, every purchase makes a difference. The more Fair Trade products that are purchased, the more work the Artisa ..read more