Afoa had always loved helping her grandfather tend to their shea butter and jojoba oil crops in the fields of their village, which were now affected by the banned export order. She enjoyed the smell of the earth, the feel of the sun on her face, and the sense of purpose from working with her family to provide for their community.
But one day, everything changed. Afoa woke up to the news that all local produce for export to Western markets had been banned for fear of accusations of cultural appropriation, leaving their crops with no outlet for sale. Likewise, the outside world feared being accused of stealing African natural resources, leading to an export ban.
The consequences of the banned export were devastating for Afoa’s village. The local economy stopped, and Afoa’s family struggled to make ends meet. Her grandfather, who had always been robust, became sick and weak from the lack of work, leading to his untimely death during the year-long boycott, leaving a grieving family and a struggling community.
As Afoa walked through the empty fields, she felt lost and alone. She missed the sense of purpose of tending to the crops and the joy of providing for her family and community. The once-thriving village was now a ghost town, and Afoa longed for the outside world to see the value in their natural resources and the hard work of her people.
But then, something unexpected happened. A group of fair trade organizations from around the world reached out to Afoa’s village, offering to buy their shea butter and jojoba oil at reasonable prices despite the banned export of natural cosmetics ingredients. They recognized the importance of African culture and the need to support local economies hit by the ban.
Afoa and her family were overjoyed. Finally, they could again tend to their crops with purpose and pride, knowing their hard work was valued and appreciated. The village returned to life, and Afoa felt hope for the future after the devastating impact of banned export on goods they had cultivated for years.
Looking out at the fields, she realized the ban had taught her an important lesson. She had learned that the outside world could be cruel and kind, that cultural appropriation was a real issue, but that fair trade and respect could make all the difference.
And so, Afoa continued to tend to her crops with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude. She knew her grandfather was watching over her, proud of her resilience and determination. The world could ban their exports, but it could never take away their culture or their spirit.
