Cuban farmer working the field

When Bill Patterson happened across a book about Cuba over a decade ago, he had no idea it would change his worldview forever. The book’s author happened to share his last name, a fellow with one ‘t’ instead of two, he said, and he picked up and started reading.

From this initial chance encounter, Bill’s interest in Cuba grew, and he started absorbing whatever he could about the tiny Caribbean nation, from books to magazines articles. He was struck by the contrast between propaganda and reality, shocked by statistics about the pre-revolution lives of Cuba’s citizens: 3 million people without any electricity, 39% illiteracy, 50% unemployment, 80% of the good property owned or controlled by US interests. He read more about the embargo and the long term destabilization efforts of the U.S. against the Castro government.

After finding out the truth about Cuba, the conclusions were inescapable.

“If you are concerned about Cuba, you know that our country is pretty shameful… I read a great deal about Cuba, and our conduct is really beneath our stature,” Bill said.

Reading is one thing. But seeing is another. And Bill knew that the only way to get the real scoop on Cuba would be to go there.

In a country with a decades long travel ban, this was easier said than done. He eventually settled on a Global Exchange Reality Tour as the best way to make this happen. In the spring of 1999, he started making arrangements to travel somewhere few Americans ever get to see. And in June of 1999, he found himself stepping off of an airplane in Cuba.

While there, he was able to see for himself exactly what you won’t see much in the U.S.: unbiased, unfiltered information about Cuba’s people, about their society, about how they live. The experience was a game changer for Bill.

He liked it so much that he did it again the next year.

Since he first traveled with Global Exchange, Bill’s become a solid supporter, giving every month as a member of Global Exchange Monthly Supporters (GEMS) program. Like us, Bill sees the great value in building people-to-people ties, and he feels pretty confident that he’s putting his money in the right place.

“You do things so well, and you’re so disciplined, it’s quite easy to be comfortable.”

Support from our members like Bill makes our work possible. We sure are glad he happened across that book.

The following is a cross-post from our People to People blog:

All Global Exchange members are invited to join us for a Fair Trade Store Holiday Celebration.

We’ll be staying open late for one night only, December 8th from 5PM – 8PM, giving members the chance to shop for gifts that make a difference while enjoying refreshments, mingling with like minded people, and saving 20%

That’s right…all Global Exchange members will receive 20% OFF their entire order during this holiday event!

Our Fair Trade stores offer shoppers a way to be a powerful force for social change. With unique treasures made by Fair Trade artisans and farmers in over 40 different countries to choose from, you should have no trouble finding something for everyone on your holiday list.

If you don’t live near any of our store locations: remember you can shop for Fair Trade gifts online right from your computer!

If you live near one of our stores, we hope you join us for this festive evening of:

  • Holiday cheer and refreshments
  • A free raffle
  • Mixing and mingling with other Global Exchange supporters and staff Conscious Shopping AND Saving…all while knowing your purchase goes to create a more open, fair world.

If you’re a Global Exchange member…be sure to bring your Global Exchange membership card or a printout of the email you received about this event and take 20% off your entire order – plus we’ll throw in a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream! We’re celebrating Ben & Jerry’s decision to go 100% Fair Trade by 2013.

If you’re not a member yet but would like to be so you can enjoy this event and reap all the other rewards of Global Exchange membership, visit our membership page to join, and bring a printout of your receipt to receive your 20% discount. You can join 40,000+ other Global Exchange members for just $35!

When and Where:

When: Wednesday, December 8th 5PM – 8PM

Where: The following Store Locations:

Washington DC Fair Trade Store
Busboys and Poets
1025 5th St. (at K)
Washington, DC 20001 (map)
202/842-4525

Portland Fair Trade Store
2508 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214 (map)
503/234-4049

San Francisco Fair Trade Store
4018 24th St.
San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
415/648-8068

Berkeley Fair Trade Store
2840 College (at Russell)
Berkeley, CA 94705 (map)
510/548-0370

Hope to see you there!

The following is a cross-post from our People to People blog:

All Global Exchange members are invited to join us for a Fair Trade Store Holiday Celebration.

We’ll be staying open late for one night only, December 8th from 5PM – 8PM, giving members the chance to shop for gifts that make a difference while enjoying refreshments, mingling with like minded people, and saving 20%

That’s right…all Global Exchange members will receive 20% OFF their entire order during this holiday event!

Our Fair Trade stores offer shoppers a way to be a powerful force for social change. With unique treasures made by Fair Trade artisans and farmers in over 40 different countries to choose from, you should have no trouble finding something for everyone on your holiday list.

If you don’t live near any of our store locations: remember you can shop for Fair Trade gifts online right from your computer!

If you live near one of our stores, we hope you join us for this festive evening of:

  • Holiday cheer and refreshments
  • A free raffle
  • Mixing and mingling with other Global Exchange supporters and staff Conscious Shopping AND Saving…all while knowing your purchase goes to create a more open, fair world.

If you’re a Global Exchange member…be sure to bring your Global Exchange membership card or a printout of the email you received about this event and take 20% off your entire order – plus we’ll throw in a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream! We’re celebrating Ben & Jerry’s decision to go 100% Fair Trade by 2013.

If you’re not a member yet but would like to be so you can enjoy this event and reap all the other rewards of Global Exchange membership, visit our membership page to join, and bring a printout of your receipt to receive your 20% discount. You can join 40,000+ other Global Exchange members for just $35!

When and Where:

When: Wednesday, December 8th 5PM – 8PM

Where: The following Store Locations:

Washington DC Fair Trade Store
Busboys and Poets
1025 5th St. (at K)
Washington, DC 20001 (map)
202/842-4525

Portland Fair Trade Store
2508 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214 (map)
503/234-4049

San Francisco Fair Trade Store
4018 24th St.
San Francisco, CA 94114 (map)
415/648-8068

Berkeley Fair Trade Store
2840 College (at Russell)
Berkeley, CA 94705 (map)
510/548-0370

Hope to see you there!