Coffee Anyone?

A group of small-scale coffee growers in the Central American republic of Nicaragua have seen their lives transformed by working together as a community. They have been supported by Christian Aid’s local partner, Soppexcca,. This non-governmental organisation (NGO) initially gave the farmers credit to establish themselves and then helped them join together to sell their coffee for a better price than the open market offers.

In the lush highlands of this small country, the vision of the Los Alpes community has been turned into a reality over the past 12 years. By working together as a co-operative they have produced not just a basic income but opportunities for education and healthcare. The co-operative put some of the proceeds from coffee sales into a community fund, which has been used to build a health centre and a school. Previously the children had their lessons in a yard.

Soppexcca has its own coffee-processing plant where workers are guaranteed basic rights such as fair wages, clean water to drink and toilet breaks. This is so unusual in Nicaragua that one of the workers, DamarisSujey says, poignantly, ‘We are all treated with such respect and kindness.’

Now other similar communities, such as La Paz del Tuma, want to work together in the same way to create a secure future for their children. Christian Aid and Soppexcca are there alongside them.

These projects are typical of Christian Aid’s development work. The charity operates wherever there is a need, helping people of all faiths and none. It never gives money to governments but works with trusted local NGOs. It enables communities to become self-sufficient so that they can face the future with hope and self-respect.

This work of transforming communities was supported by 823 households in Bowdon during Christian Aid Week in May last year, when more than £4,500 was raised by our team of 50 collectors who, between them, visited every home in the parish. We hope to exceed that total during Christian Aid week this year so that the coffee growers of La Paz del Tuma can build a school for their children. And throughout the year we can support coffee farmers in developing countries all around the world by buying Fair Trade coffee—on sale in the Parish Centre at 12 o’clock on the first Sunday of the month.

Katharine Perera, Joint Co-ordinator, Christian Aid, Bowdon