Ana a topa

ANA A TOPA

You might know a lot about how smoking affects your body but how often do you think about the people and children who grow tobacco and how it affects their lives? Probably not very often and tobacco manufacturers would like to keep it that way which is why GASP formed a new charity called Ana A Topa, which means ‘the children are tired’. We launched it when we found out that the tobacco farmers were very sick and poor, despite the fact that the crop itself is very valuable. Guernsey’s young people were disgusted by this exploitation and manipulation and encouraged GASP to do something about it.

 

 

If you see a cigarette in Guernsey or indeed most of Europe then the chances are the tobacco was grown in Malawi. Malawi is a beautiful country in South East Africa. The majority (80%) of their workforce is employed by the tobacco industry to work in the fields growing tobacco crops.

Di Lawrence travelled to Malawi on behalf of GASP in order to experience life on a Malawi Tobacco Farm herself. This is what she found:

•    Tobacco farmers working from 6am until 6pm every day.
•    Children as young as 5years old working in the fields.
•    Children suffering from Green Tobacco Sickness (causing vomiting and diarrhoea).
•    Children and adults suffering repetitive strain injuries, cuts, bruises and snake bites.

Whilst in Malawi, Di asked the children what they did for fun. They did not have an equivalent word for fun in their language. They did not understand what fun is. The children did not have X-boxes, DVDs, play stations or proper toys, instead they played with empty water bottles and old bicycle tyres. Only 10% of secondary age children have a school place. Their whole life is all about work.

The farmers want better prospects; they want to work to feed their families. At present they are being kept in debt by the big corporate tobacco manufacturers. The manufacturer gives seed and fertiliser to the workers so that they can grow tobacco and then when the tobacco is sold at auction the farmer must pay back for the seed and fertiliser. This leaves the farmer with very little money or sometimes even owing the manufacturer money. 

At present a kilogram of tobacco is sold for 30p. One kilogram of tobacco is used by the manufacturer to make 25 packets of cigarettes. With a packet of 20 cigarettes selling for nearly £5 it is clear to see who is making the profit.

THE PROJECT

ANA A TOPA PHASE 1- (2008-2009)

GASP, through Ana A Topa have formed a charity where tobacco farmers can buy seed and fertiliser to grow maize instead of tobacco. The farmers can then sell the maize for a profit. Maize is also the staple food in Malawi so the excess maize can be eaten. This will allow the family to make a profit and improve their future, hopefully even sending their children to school.

The project is sustainable as the excess profit from each farmer will be given to another family to buy seed and fertiliser to grow maize.

Students and young people in Guernsey have been so motivated by this exploitation that they have run charity days, music events and mufti days to raise money. The Ana A Topa project is a chance for the young people of Guernsey to show that they don’t approve of the situation and wish to make changes.

ANA A TOPA PHASE 2- (2011-2012)

Phase one having been successful as £10,000 was sent to Malawi for families to grow maize instead of tobacco, GASP would now like to make the living and working condition of those people easier.

Aim: build 2 boreholes

Impact expected: help the people be healthier and avoid those people who are now growing maize from having to walk long distances to fetch water and would thus be able to concentrate on other activities such as farming.

Various schools have already booked assemblies about Phase 2 and have committed themselves to help GASP raise money this year. In January 2011, we also received a £10,000 grant from Overseas Aid Commission towards phase 2.

 

In March 2011, 2 boreholes were built in MWANSAMBO AND T/A MWADZAMA.The first borehole is 37 meters deep.  It has been drilled at Masawe Village in Traditional Authority Mwadzama.  The second borehole is 47 meters deep and has been drilled in Chisimba Village in Traditional Authority Mwasambo. It has been estimated that over 12,000 people would benefit from those two boreholes.

 

Once the money had been transferred to Malawi and the sites had been assessed, it took only 3 days to build those boreholes. It is simply amazing to see how quickly changes can be made when funding is available. The people of Malawi are grateful to our help. We hope to be able to do more for them in the future.

THE FUTURE OF MALAWI

TRANSPORT NEEDS

So what else can be done? TOTAWUM, the tobacco workers’ union desperately need a vehicle to transport seed and other forms of aid to the workers around the country. At present they only have a bicycle and an old motorcycle which make travel very difficult on the hot dusty paths of Malawi.

DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE

The tobacco farmers need help in growing crops without the use of dangerous chemicals. Pesticides such as DDT and Aldicarb are currently being used and they are making the workers and their children very ill. Not to mention the devastation these chemicals are causing to the environment. Tobacco strips the land of any nutrients and these chemicals are necessary to grow tobacco. Perhaps if the farmers grow maize and other food crops, over time the environment may improve.

INCREASED SALARY OF FARMERS TO REDUCE CHILD LABOUR

Legislation needs to be put in place ensuring that children are not forced to work in the tobacco fields. In order for this to happen there needs to be a trade agreement on price so that farmers can earn enough and not HAVE to make their children work. This all takes time and money. There are lots of people trying to help their cause and many studies have been carried out by Marty Otanez. His work can be viewed at www.sidewalkradio.net.

If you are able to help with funding or ideas we would be delighted to hear from you. GASP offer assemblies and talks on the subject of Ana A Topa. We are proud of the changes that the young people of Guernsey have instigated in Malawi and hope that this is just the start of a mutually beneficial relationship.

If you would like to make a DONATION towards Ana A Topa please click here

 

Below are some images from the project.
 

 

This image was taken at a fundraising event for Ana A Topa