By Melanie Popowich
More than 60 Global Mamas, volunteers and staff members came together to donate their time cleaning up Cape Coast’s bustling Kotokraba Market on Saturday, June 25, 2011. The group met in the wee hours of the morning to sweep in and around the market in order to create a clean and safe environment for market vendors and patrons. Part of Global Mamas’ commitment to fair trade is providing healthy work environments for its workers and encouraging environmental sustainability.
Our Mamas rely on the Kotokraba Market for their basic supplies (everything from thread and pins to dye and cleaning supplies), which is why the Mamas and volunteers decided to spend their time sprucing it up and giving back to their community. The initiative surprised market vendors and patrons, they were taken back and appreciative.
The Mamas took extra care cleaning the areas outside of their most beloved vendors shops. “Maggie is a god-send,” said Mama and seamstress Alice Korsha outside a small shop that sells a variety of sewing supplies. “Anytime we need something she will go as far as Accra to get it for us, she’s always supporting our businesses.”
More than 20 volunteers from around the globe joined the cleaning crew. Gretchen Sunko from the USA is volunteering with Global Mamas for four months and was honored to be a part of the special day, “I love working side by side all of these hard working women. I can’t believe what a difference we’ve made in such a small time, the streets look unbelievably clean!”
A special thank-you to volunteers from Holy Child School, Zoom Lion and CCMA for supporting the event.
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