“Zatoun is Palestine in a bottle”
Fair Trade Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Soap
Report on the "Trees for Life" program
April 14, 2006
Dear Zatoun supporters,
We are very pleased to report that the inaugural campaign of the "Trees for Life" program to plant olive trees in occupied Palestine concluded with an on-the-ground and fiscal success despite the very late start which greatly limited the participation by other partner organizations worldwide.
The first season of the Trees for Life project benefited farmers in the Jenin and Nablus areas. Zatoun-Canada proceeds generated from sales of olive oil in Canada and USA and direct donations accounted for almost 90% of the funding.
The Palestine Fair Trade Organisation (PFTA) raised $800 USD from Palestinian grassroots organizations. A small amount of funds remain for ongoing promotion. Zatoun-Canada donated $8,796 CAD to the project.
In this first season a total of 3,600 olive trees were planted. Each tree was 3 years old and of the "nabali" variety also called "baladi" which is indigenous to Palestine. The trees were distributed to 130 farmers belonging to six cooperatives who are members of the PFTA fair trade olive oil program. Farmer selections were based on the established criteria and priorities for the program as established by PFTA staff and coop coordinators.
This chart gives a summary of the program in figures:
Zatoun and supporters will work to help keep making it better for farmers in Palestine. Every bottle sold will generate funds for “Trees for Life”. We already have a head start for the 2006 planting season with over $5,200 in direct donations collected to August 2006. We have 4 months to raise $25,000 CDN towards the next planting. New initiatives are yet to be launched.
Please stay posted and as always thank you for the heartfelt and enthusiastic support.
Worldwide Goal for the 2006 Planting Season is $75,000
For more information: www.zatoun.com Contact us: info@zatoun.com
