Trade Aid stresses its Be Kind message

Manager Maureen Kennedy in the Napier Trade Aid shop. PHOTO: WARREN BUCKLAND

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." – Dalai Lama.

That quote could also have come from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern or from New Zealand's Trade Aid.

Trade Aid is a New Zealand social enterprise which, for nearly half a century, has been helping artisans around the world improve their lives through fair trade. During the lockdown, Trade Aid is also spreading the "be kind" message, with a link where people can access kind messages to share.

"The Be Kind value is especially important for us now, as we are in unprecedented times and we all need to work together to bring positive change," says Trade Aid Importers Ltd development manager, Michelia Miles.

"We believe in the power of every single person to change the future. Every choice you make matters. We believe that living by these five values we can all make a real difference
- buy good, live green, be kind, speak up and make change."

Miles said there had never been a better moment to choose to be kind. When we choose to be kind to our community, our whānau and ourselves through our everyday actions, we all play a part in building a better world.

These sentiments endorsed by Trade Aid are echoed by Napier Trade Aid store manager Maureen Kennedy. Leading up to lockdown, Maureen's thoughts were of the half-million producers in 28 different countries whose livelihoods depend on selling their goods.

"I was feeling sorry for our producers — they don't have a welfare system like us. I thought, how are they going to survive, both health-wise and financially?"

After the cruise liner Ruby Princess stopped in Napier and Maureen realised passengers, who might possibly be infected with the virus had visited her store, her thoughts turned immediately to staff.

"The day the Ruby Princess was in port, we had two ladies working. It was a slow day for us, so not many passengers went into the shop and, up to now, we have no symptoms."

Hand sanitiser has always been available at the Hastings St store, so the staff took it in their stride when alert levels ramped up.

"We always have hand sanitiser at the counter which some staff use and some don't but, when level 3 started, everyone was using it — even customers."

Also ramping up prior to level 4 were sales of food and soap.

"That week we had very high sales of soap and tea, coffee, rice, etc and we had just received another order when we went into level 4 lockdown."

Maureen says feelings were mixed but jobs needed to be done.

"It was a shock. Even though we were expecting it, it felt really strange. We went in on Tuesday morning to sort the rubbish and banking and the town was eerie, with no one about."

With the Trade Aid warehouse in Christchurch still open for business, customers could buy essential goods through the Trade Aid website.

"We always welcome our loyal customers and I would like to think we will go on for a lot more years helping our producer partners, making their lives better. I would be very remiss not to thank all our current volunteers, and all the hundreds of volunteers who have worked at Trade Aid in the past," Maureen says.

And, for all New Zealanders, it is good to hear our Prime Minister encouraging us all, above everything, to be kind.

■ To shop online visit www.tradeaid.org.nz or to access Be Kind messages go to this link https://www.tradeaid.org.nz/goodtoliveby/be-kind/