Living in Two Different Worlds
Reflections on the recent visit of Howard Msukwa, Rice Farmer from Kaporo Smallholder Farmer Association (KASFA)
Words by Joyce Davidson, Chair, True Origin Partnerships (organiser of the tour).
In September 2024, True Origin and True Origin Partnerships had the pleasure of hosting Howard Msukwa for a three week visit to the UK. It was a whirlwind of conversations, meetings, renewing old contacts and friendships and making new.
People from business communities, fair trade groups, schools and churches met and were touched by Howard during his visit.
Throughout his time in the UK Howard spoke powerfully about the challenges faced by the smallholder farmers, highlighting the significant impact that climate change is having on their communities and livelihoods. It was good to hear from him about the growth and development of KASFA over the years and the importance of its relationship with The Balmore Trust and JTS - now True Origin and True Origin Partnerships. Howard described the benefits of this partnership and the projects that it has facilitated and also spoke movingly about the ongoing needs of his community and his work to support it through the Youth Training Scheme that he has established locally. It was inspiring to meet people all around Scotland who have been supporting him in this work.
Starting with a few days in Lichfield, Howard spent time with the team from Central England Co-op who sell True Origin Kilombero rice as part of their ‘Our Malawi Partnership’ project. Later in his tour he met and spoke with people from various businesses including the Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, of which True Origin Foods is a member. A fascinating visit to the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre reminded us of the longstanding links between Scotland and Malawi, and the efforts made by David Livingstone to ‘trade fairly’ with Africa.
Church visits ranged from launching a rice challenge in Baljaffray Church, Bearsden, to speaking at a forum in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow, to attending a prayer meeting at Milton of Campsie Parish Church to highlight issues that could be prayed for throughout the year.
During his visit Howard met pupils from 9 primary and 4 secondary schools in East Dunbartonshire, Perthshire, Fife, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, Fife, Dundee and Edinburgh. Their enthusiasm for hearing about life in Malawi and their support for trade justice should give us all confidence in the future of fair trade.
Fair trade groups and communities around the UK had the opportunity during Fairtrade Fortnight to hear from Howard. Beginning in Skipton and ending in Aberdeen, events and visits in between included Lenzie, Gavin’s Mill, Dumfries, St Andrews, Stirling, two online events hosted by BAFTS and an Edinburgh event hosted jointly with One Word Shop and Scotland Malawi Partnership. A wonderful ambassador for fair trade Howard encouraged and inspired us all to keep promoting and selling fair trade goods
A highlight of the visit was the Scottish Fair Trade Campaigner conference in Paisley, where many people had the opportunity to meet Howard and hear him being interviewed, together with Claire Sloan from Ardross farm in Fife, about the challenges of smallholder and sustainable farming. This was followed by a tour of the True Origin warehouse and a chance to hear more about the journey Kilombero rice takes to get to our shops!
I come away from Howard’s visit with a kaleidoscope of memories:
-the passion for justice in children and young people - where does that get lost?
-did you know that there are fewer grains in a bag of brown rice compared to white?
-the hard life and back breaking work of smallholder rice farmers-starting work at 3am and trying to support a family with a farm size of of 2 acres.
- the widespread ongoing support and enthusiasm for fair trade
-the importance of supporting education and training for young people in Malawi
-the friendship and partnership established over the years between with the farmers of KASFA, True Origin and others around Scotland
- the shared enthusiasm for football! Howard was delighted to be presented with a Dunfermline Athletic football strip with his name on it and to be returning home with two new Bala Fair trade footballs.
- tasting rice ice cream!
- the challenge of getting Howard back to Heathrow with all the extra luggage he had accumulated during his stay.
-the stark difference in lifestyle and opportunity between Scotland and Malawi- “We live in two different worlds” (Howard Msukwa) .
Thanks again Howard.
Joyce Davidson.
