Amber Christie

Welcome, and thank you for checking out my trek4fairtrade blog!

Seeing the world has always been a personal goal of mine, but other priorities took precedence over the years (establishing a meaningful career, starting a family). The older I get, the more I realize how precious and unpredictable life is. I have really started to embrace the practice of mindfulness and seizing the moment. Many people perceive that life is short. I would argue that life is the longest thing any of us will ever do; you might as well do what you love while living it.

This summer marks the beginning of my journey of exploring the world; a new destination for a couple of weeks each year. Not only do I aim to satisfy my urge to see what the world has to offer and experience other cultures, but I want to do my part to make a difference in the lives of others, no matter how small the effort. Tying in to my newfound passion for Fair Trade, I plan to visit locations where there are Fair Trade Cooperatives, and share my experiences with the school community in which I teach. To learn more about my Fair Trade journey, check out the following links:

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2016/05/05/port-colborne-school-striving-for-fair-trade-designation

http://fairtrade.ca/en-ca/news/mckay-public-school

http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/6746406-port-colborne-s-mckay-public-school-a-first-in-fair-trade/

http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2016/06/23/mckay-first-fair-trade-school-in-province

As an educator, I have the privilege of helping to shape young minds; the future generation who will be making big societal decisions one day. Going beyond the curriculum and sharing my experiences with them can provide a taste of what exists outside the familiarity and comfort of their community, and teach them about the importance of social responsibility. It could also inspire them to make a conscious effort to come together as human beings on a global scale and help one another to achieve our mutual goal of living life a full and happy life.

I invite you to visit this website for regular updates on my journey through Thailand, and look forward to sharing my adventures with you. I plan to carpe the heck out of each diem, so buckle up...it's going to be a great ride!