Pakistan

Mountain Fruits - Profiles

Hiji Bibi has been educated to 5th year primary level. However she had to leave as there was too much work at home and has brothers who were given priority. Her wages go towards the household expenses. Hiji has worked at MF for four years and is now a second grader. This job is reserved for the most experienced ladies as the final quality check.

"In an area where it is difficult for women to find work outside of the home, Mountain Fruits break the norm by employing women in their factory and at a rate far higher than what they could normally expect to earn." Kate Sebag

Mr Hazir Shah of Barkhulthi Village has four sons and four daughters. the eldest children have completed their education and Mr. Hazir Shah is now supporting his two youngest sons and the daughter who are studying at Gilgit. Mr. Shah's income comes from the sale of walnuts, almonds, apricots, potatoes and the commission earned by Mountain Fruits for his services to work with the fairtrade Farmers in his region. Sometimes he has had to sell a cow or a tree to support the studies of his children. Mr. Shah says he is more interested in educating his daughters than his sons as his sons get a share in the land whilst when the daughters are married, they have to start a new family in a new environment so for him girls' education is more important.
   
Salman Ali is married with 6 children who are all studying. His main source of cash income is potato, with apricots providing 15 to 20% of his income.He also grows wheat (for animal forage and flour), apples and almonds for personal use. Health and education are the most important and expensive outgoings. This is the reason he is unable to save money. Apart from farming he has no other income. He likes Mountain Fruits as it “holds the hand the poor. If Mountain Fruits were not buying directly from us then people from the bazaar would play with the prices and we would probably get half of what we get now." He wants Mountain Fruits to make improved drying technology more widely available to farmers.

Alya Noorin married at 17 and has 3 children. She lives in a rented house with her family. She was educated to 5th year primary level and her wages help to pay for the education of her children. Alya has worked at MF for two years and is now a second grader

Tropical Wholefoods is a registered brand of Fullwell Mill Ltd, Company Registration No: 2297114. Unit 5d Southwick Ind Est, Sunderland, SR5 3TX. Directors: Adam Brett, Peter Fawcett, Richard Friend and Kate Sebag.
    © Fullwell Mill Ltd 2005