Visit from Fairtrade mango farmer

Fairtrade dried mango producer from Burkina Faso visits to talk to Sixth Form about his life and work.

Arsene Sourabie, from Association Wouol, Burkina Faso, visited Callington Community College Sixth Form to talk about his life as a mango farmer.

Association Wouol is a development association of 2000 rural members located in the West of Burkina Faso in Beregadougou. Wouol means in Turka (the local language) "mutual assistance" and "solidarity".

With the help of an interpreter, Arsene was able to tell the students about his life as a technician working in Association Wouol's mango drying factories.  He also owns land on which he cultivates mango trees.  Most of his working hours are taken up with training farmers and mango processors who work in the drying factory.  Arsene is the eldest son of a large family.  He is 33 years old, and is the father of a young daughter.  He and his wife live in Beregadougou with his daughter, mother, co-wife, 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Jane Murrey, Chairperson of Callington's Fair Trade Steering Group who arranged this visit, said "it is important to encourage young people to support Fair Trade and raise awareness".