“Zatoun is Palestine in a bottle”
Fair Trade Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Soap
Plant 35,000 olive trees in Palestine
Launched in late 2005, the "Trees for Life: Planting Peace in Palestine" program created by Zatoun-Canada to share with partners around the world has is gaining much momentum and support. With the help of our primary partner and organization on the ground in Palestine, Palestine Fair Trade Association, the program was designed to ensure an equitable and efficient program and provide maximum benefit to the Palestinian farmers who need it the most.
Trees for Life provides individual Palestinian farmers with new olive tree saplings (3 years old) to plant and nurture in order to renew their decimated groves. The project will help offset the enormous destruction of olive trees by the Israeli army, settlers and the illegal Annexation Wall.
Olive farmers in the regions of Jenin, Nablus Salfit, and Ramallah receive 25 to 50 olive tree saplings each. The program was designed to keep costs down to an incredibly efficient $2.00 (USD) per sapling. in addition, PFTA representatives will deliver and distribute the olive saplings and ensure prompt planting. They will also visit all participant farmers after planting to ensure proper care of the trees and assess watering needs for the summer months. Farmers requiring assistance to water trees during summer will be assisted by PFTA.
The program will help connect Palestinian fair trade farmers and producers to the grassroots fair trade movement in Europe and North America in a meaningful way. The Trees for Life project is solely funded by grassroots movements abroad and invested in the fair trade movement in Palestine.
Planting Peace in Palestine is not merely a subheading. It is a statement of our sincere belief that Palestine must be a viable economic entity and its people must have the means to earning a livelihood if there is to be a true partner for a just peace.
THE GOAL FOR 2006
For 2006, the worldwide goal for Trees for Life is to raise $75,000 to enable the planting of 35,000 olive tree saplings in approximately 1,000 farms distributed over 25 agricultural areas across Palestine.
Zatoun in Canada will contribute over $15,000 CDN in 2006 to Trees for Life from the sale of Zatoun olive oil alone. We have been very successful in attracting direct donations to the program as well. In total Canada hopes to provide $25,000 or 1/3 of the worldwide goal.
In a recent survey of Zatoun supporters (203 responders), a heartening 75% indicated they were likely or very likely to donate in 2006 to Trees for Life. Please join them in your intention and actions.
For Updates & Final Report on the completed 2005-06 Campaign & Planting (click here)
Recipient Selection
Farmers interested in participating in the project apply through PFTA coordinators. Allocations are granted based on the following criteria which the applicant must meet:
- be a certified member of the Palestine Fair Trade Association program for the production of olive oil. If a new farmer, applicant must demonstrate readiness to become fair trade certified and be willing to implement fair trade guidelines;
- own a land suitable for the number of trees applied for;
- demonstrate capacity to care for and nurture trees;
- be ready to prepare land for a collective tree plantation day. All trees must be planted day delivered. PFTA Representatives will deliver and distribute the trees and ensure prompt planting.
Priority will be given to the following applicants:
- Farmers that have lost trees to the Israeli destruction and uprooting;
- Small farmers;
- Women that own their land and are interested in farming;
- Young starter farmers that have inherited or acquired land.
Questions? info@treesforlifepalestine.org
Make a Donation to Trees for Life
The olive farmers of Palestine thank you for your support!
Zatoun is a non-profit organization and does not have charitable, tax-deductible status.
