Preda Fair Trade staff distributing mosquito nets as protection against the deadly malaria and dengue.
Giving out nets to save children from malaria and dengue. Every year, hundreds of children in the villages come down with dengue and malaria, deadly diseases spread by mosquitoes. The simple mosquito net is the best prevention to protect children. All the Preda children’s homes have screened windows. In the rural villages the poor don’t have such protection. A net costs a few euros or pounds and Preda is giving them out for free. Last July, the Preda Fair Trade Department workers gave dengue-prevention seminars to the handicraft workers that they help. The people were educated on how to control and prevent dengue by keeping their environment clear of stagnant water and other measures. Each participant received a family-sized mosquito net as part of assistance to the producers. High speed sewing machines help families. The Preda Fair Trade Department gave 10 high-speed sewing machines to producers of recycled bags to strengthen their livelihood and help them earn more money. Colorful juice pouches are turned into attractive and durable bags by the Preda sewing group helping 60 families. One of them is Caesar Fuentes, who was able to buy land and built a family house because of his savings in the recycled project of Preda. Preda helps the producers with interest-free loans and export the bags.
A member of the Preda sewing group with his son while making colorful and durable bags from recycled juice pouches.
Saving the planet by planting trees. The heat, fires, rains and floods and storms everywhere these days is due to global warming and climate change. Preda is doing its bit to help. There is no better gift for our children than to protect and preserve the environment for their future than to plant trees. This year, Preda Fair Trade bought and distributed 1,000 mango saplings two meter tall so they have 85% of surviving. They were planted with the help of the villagers of the five tribal areas of Aeta communities in Zambales province.
“Plant a tree and help save the planet” project of Preda is a way to help restore the environment that has been logged out and to cover the bare mountains with fruit bearing trees. Each sapling costs $4 US. Travel and planting on the mountain for each tree cost $2 US for a total cost of $6 US or about 4 pounds- the price of a coffee and a donut! We are encouraging everyone to plant at least ten trees a year.
PREDA campaigns for responsible mining. People and mineral resources of Zambales have been exploited by the illegal quarrying of precious minerals such as chromite, nickel, manganese and high-value platinum in the areas by the big mining companies.
Planting trees to save the planet. Fr. Dave Halpin and members of the local community.
Preda human rights team conducted series of information, education campaigns on the abuses of some mining companies and the damaging and alarming effect of its operations on the environment and the residents. Civil society and church leaders have spoken out about the damage to communities, the poisoning of air and water and the landslide and other destruction of irresponsible mining. Preda helps the villagers in their peaceful, non-violent protests. In Zambales province, the new governor, Amor Deloso listened to the people and canceled all mining permits. A big and welcome victory for the people trying to save the environment from the irresponsible open pit mining.
