For the fifth year now, a bright yellow Bana bus from the Fairtrade Ganztagsgemeinschaftsschule Neunkirchen (GGSNK), with speakers and teachers from the school and Wynnie Mbindyo from the Fairtrade Initiative Saarland, chauffeured by driver Mario Bartone, is travelling to selected schools in Saarland. The project "The Bana bus is coming: Is(s) gudd - the fair banana" was launched by the Fairtrade Initiative Saarland in 2020. The GGSNK is a cooperation partner. Although they were waiting for a replacement part from the USA, nothing stood in the way of the Bana bus travelling to Von der Leyen-Gymnasium in Blieskastel - with lots of information about fair trade in its luggage.
Questions and answers about fair trade, using the example of the banana, took centre stage at three hands-on stations. They were supported by Fairtrade consultant Mbindyo, four pupils from the Willi-Graf-Realschule Saarbrücken and Verena Bubel, maths and chemistry teacher at the GGSNK. There was a lot to learn about the origin of the bananas, the weight of a bunch, cultivation, labour and delivery conditions, the use of pesticides and price comparisons with bananas that do not come from certified farms.
Everyone provided tips and good humour to ensure that everything ran smoothly. The children moved through the bright yellow Bana bus with great joy and curiosity, slipped into funny banana costumes and enjoyed a delicious, fair-trade banana at the end.
"The campaign was not only instructive, but also a nice illustration of the lessons in religion and biology, in which the topic of fair trade had already been intensively prepared. The content will also be further explored in class afterwards. It was an all-round successful day that combined knowledge, fun and conscious action," said Sabrina Math, Head of Didactics, summarising the day.
The project, in which pupils in years 5 and 8 took part, was financed by the Saarpfalz district. As a school authority and Fairtrade district, the district is keen to arouse the interest of children and young people and to create opportunities for active participation thanks to the support provided by the schools.
"It is important to us that the background and effects of fair trade are also known at home and among friends and that purchasing behaviour can be reconsidered. Projects that demonstrate a class's commitment to fair trade can be submitted to the "Fair School Class" competition. The award there is a good basis on the way to becoming a Fairtrade school," said Fairtrade officer Mbindyo.
Information about the Fairtrade district is available from the AG Fairtrade: Tel. 06841 104-7230, e-mail [email protected]