Running the Numbers on Soccer Balls…

a test run, originally uploaded by James Matthew.

Photo Caption: the newest soccer team @ the river in Tijuana tests out their new equipment. Note the factory in the background and how it contrasts with the house that is under construction.

I am stoked to announce that we’ve been offered a fantastic deal on fairly traded soccer balls.

I’ve been in contact with Dave at Fair World Sports, and thanks to their “Let the Children Play” program, we can purchase soccer balls for about 12 dollars a pop (with shipping).

That’s 12 dollars, for a Fairly Traded Soccer Ball! Only a buck or so more than what you’d pay at WalMart, but it’s of higher quality, and is fairly traded! That’s also cheaper than what you’d pay at stores like Sport Chek for a ball made by Nike or Adidas.

The amazing part of this partnership, is that our payments go to help children in other developing countries. Here’s an excerpt from Fair World Sports’ website :

Your support makes all this possible because in the price of the ball is a Fair Trade premium that is used to provide better than average wages plus additional health and educational benefits to the workers and their families.

The funds raised by the sale of Fair Trade certified sports balls will be used by Y Service Clubs to support projects with children in other countries, especially where there has been war and where education and playing sports are important tools in building a culture of peace. ( Fair World Sports )

This is a gift that keeps giving – Your donation of 10 dollars to Cameras With A Conscience will buy a fairly traded soccer ball for children in Terrazas and @ ‘The River,’ but that money will also be used by Fair World Sports to help children in other countries affected by war and poverty. Fantastic!

Our Goal for 2008: 20 fair trade soccer balls (12 dollars each!) to be hand delivered to the children of Terrazas and ‘The River’ by gr.12 students of Duncan Christian School.