2021 – 2022 Funded Grants

Brazil

Childcare Learning-Play Area 2021-90
Brazil
Funded by: Bulfinch Coffee Roasters
The women coffee producers are unable to attend educational workshops and cooperative planning meetings because they don’t have care for their children. This grant will provide funding to setup an area where their children can play and learn while the parents are attending meetings and workshops.

In Brazil, with the young people are leaving the rural areas there is concern about who will do the work in the fields over time. While the world population grows exponentially, on the side of food/coffee production there is a group that is aging and without anyone to take on the family activities. This is an issue that needs to be discussed within the cooperative, since education is the pillar that supports the base of the cooperative and it is through education that we share information and create change. To do this, they propose an environment conducive to receiving children ages 3-12 with activities for play and learning that will allow their parents the time and opportunity to work together to address the issues and plan for their future and the future of their children and the community. They intend to bring more women to the meetings, since some of them cannot participate now because they have small children, working to create empowerment and leadership opportunities for the women.

With these funds they will purchase playroom materials such as interactive games, building blocks, tables and chairs, provide daycare teacher/worker during the meetings, They will have workshops on the 3 Rs (Reduce, Recycle and Reuse) and Rural Identity: working on how children understand their rural environment, as well as Plant Care workshops for the children.

Colombia

Replacing Unhealthy Kitchens 2021-80
Colombia - COSURCA
Funded by: OPTCO & Coffee Holding Co
For the women of Colombia, the family meals are prepared in unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Food is being prepared over open fires that cause respiratory illnesses for the women and small children. This grant will repair or replace kitchens to improve health for nine families. The kitchens will include stoves that vent to the outside, water plumbed to the inside, and work surfaces providing better sanitary conditions. They will be built with sustainable materials and the project will also serve as a sustainable construction training program for young people. All labor will be provided by the family as well as a portion of the investment in material costs.

Peru

Early Education Centers 2021-01a, 2021-01b, 2021-01c & 2021-01d
Amazonas, Cajamarca & Lambayeque
Funded by: Silver Bridge Coffee, Saw Dog Coffee & Alpen Sierra Coffee
Early Education Center Project in Northern Peru reaches 230 children in the regions of Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas in Fifteen (15) Communities:

General Information:
The children in rural Peru are severely malnourished, this grant provides funds needed to educate the teachers, parents and students on food nutritional value and how to incorporate the foods into their daily diet with the goal of reducing malnutrition in the rural coffee producing communities in Peru. The Cafe Femenino Foundation has supported the implementation of this project since 2013. Each year the impact is measured by a visiting nurse taking and recording, the height and weight of the students ages 3-5 three times per year. In total, 230 students, 140 parents and 25 teachers in 15 rural early education centers will participate in this program. The curriculum for the early education center students also includes personal hygiene and dental care. Funds will cover the cost of the traveling nurse, as well as educational, grooming and hygiene, supplies for Covid prevention materials as well as basic food supplies and first aid kits needed for each early education centers. The centers will receive needed supplies such as facemasks, hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, wash clothes, crayons, books, paper, glue, mats for the floor where the children sit and play, as well as jackets and polo shirts depending on the climate.

Young Adult Product Development & Management Training 2021-02
Community of Pampa de Sequez (Cajamarca) & San Antonio (Amazonas)
Funded by: Kerry

The objective of this project is to train young adults to be able to produce and manage the farms they were raised on. The pandemic generated by COVID-19, makes us look at the rural sector with hope, the countryside did not stop supplying the cities with food, many young people who studied and worked in the cities returned to their communities when the colleges/schools were closed, when they lost their jobs due to the closure of factories/companies or they were not able to carry out their activities in the trades. Many built temporary housing on their farms to be able to escape the contagion in the populated cities providing us with the opportunity to train these young people and provide them with an opportunities for their future.

The Project, Young Adult Product and Management Training, is a meeting place for training and exchange of experiences aimed at rural young adults between 15-35 years old who wish to progress and be leaders in the development of their community. This is a 3-year program, with attendance at classes 4 days a month. It will seek to encourage young people to achieve an approval grade and present progress in the implementation of organic farming techniques on their plot.

The modules will have cross-cutting themes covering gender equity, rights and duties, empowerment (motivation).
Training Modules I: Leadership for Entrepreneurship
Module II: Organic Agriculture
Module III: Associativity and Articulation for Local Development
Module IV: Market Access
Module V: Financial Education
The program will be offered to qualified applicants in Montana de Sequez and Pampa de Sequez (Cajamarca) and Nueva York and San Antonio (Amazonas). Funds will be used for travel expenses and training materials for facilitators of the topics of each module, fees of a specialist to give a lecture for each module, travel expenses to participate in fairs, materials, tools and supplies for field practices.

Raising Pigs 2021-05
Communities of Virgen de Fatima & Guadalupe
Funded by: Sally F Sears
This project will enhance food security by diversifying the consumption of proteins and generating additional income for the family by raising pigs for consuption as well as growing grains and vegetables. Since the pandemic it has become increasingly more important to value the local production and promotion of crops and raising animals to improve the family diet and income. The addition of protein to the diet will reduce the problem of malnutrition in children that exists in the communities.

These funds will be used to provide a training workshop on the nutritional value of adding the protein to the daily diet, how to care for and breed pigs and the delivery two piglets to per family (17 women) to the families in Virgen de Fatima.

Wet Mill Improvement 2021-09
Communities of Hierba Buena, Kanaris
Funded by: Shuswap and CFF
In years past the coffee producers in this area have been hit by coffee rust, but they are making extraordinary efforts to renovate their coffee farms in order to maintain the income to support their families need to substantially improve the quality of their coffee and balance their income by achieving a better market price. In order to do this they need to improve their wet mill beneficio infrastructure. They have a good quality coffee plants due to the quality of the soils and the microclimates that exist in the region. Unfortunately, the quality decreases every step of the way during the harvesting process due to not having the wet mill infrastructure needed to process the coffee crop properly. This project seeks to support coffee producers with the implementation of the wet mill beneficio infrastructure consisting of two ceramic lined fermentation tanks, six cement drying patios and six solar dryers.

Results will be measure by recording the quality of the coffee delivered by the producers; the quality of the coffee in the cup; prices obtained for the coffee; participation in coffee quality competitions and the income received from the sale of their coffee.

Refurbish La Florida Community Center 2021-12
Communities of Cajamarca - La Florida
Funded by: UP Coffee Roasters
The bamboo community center in La Florida, built more than 10 years ago, is where training meetings, association meetings, the 73 women (of the 113 members) are able to meet to discuss their problems and make plans for the future. Due to time and lack of maintenance, this building no longer provides the security needed for the development of the activities of the association.

The grant will provide the funds needed to purchase materials (bricks, cement, steel reinforcement rods) to secure the building, as well materials and knowledge needed to maintain the bamboos structure.

Construction of Irrigation Water Reservoir 2021-15
Community of Machucara
Funded by: Caravan Coffee
This community is one of extreme poverty and needs assistance to improve the productivity of the crops and pastures. Water is scarce and water management is difficult. Climate change has seriously affected the cultivation of both coffee and food, rainfall has been reduced to only four months per year. They have been able to distribute the water through a system of channels to the producers by flooding, which can cause erosion of the soils and under-utilization of the water resources. This grant will build small reservoirs that benefit 4 or 5 families and allow them to store their water quotas and install a sprinkler irrigation system. This would make it possible to have enough water at the time of the flowering of the coffee and to achieve an increase in production and quality, as well as ensure water for production of vegetables and quinoa and kiwicha.

Funds will be used for materials (cement, pipes, plastic liners, sprinklers and hose) to construct the reservoirs, as well as qualified workforce, transportation of materials and some technical advice.

Beekeeping Project 2021-20
Communities of Lambeyeque - Hierba Buena
Funded by: Rappahannock Fredericksburg Rotary Club
Coffee is now the main income generating product in the Lambayeque region of Northern Peru, however the market price volatility makes it difficult for producers’ when prices are low. The beekeeping project consists of purchasing materials to build nine (9) bee boxes, bees, harvest equipment and workshops on all aspects of beekeeping. Workshops planned will address: Bee-Honey Production; Care of Bees; Honey Harvest, Royal Jelly, Pollen; Processing and Packaging of Honey; Uses of Honey in Food; Packaging and Labels. A successful bee project will not only provide a second income, it will improve the coffee production by pollinating the coffee flower. The pollination will contribute to improving the quality of the coffee and other grains grown in the region. Honey will be produced from October to January during coffee flowering time and again from February through September during fruit flowering time. This project will provide additional income for nine (9) families in the four community of Hierba Buena.

Wet Mill Infrastructure Improvement 2021-22
Communities of Pampa de Sequez and La Laja, Province of San Migel, District of La Florida
Funded by: CFF
In years past the coffee producers in this area have been hit by coffee rust, but they are making extraordinary efforts to renovate their coffee farms in order to maintain the income to support their families need to substantially improve the quality of their coffee and balance their income by achieving a better market price. In order to do so they need to improve their wet mill beneficio infrastructure. They have a good-quality coffee plants due to the quality of the soils and the microclimates that exist in the region. Unfortunately, the quality decreases every step of the way during the harvesting process due to not having the wet mill infrastructure needed to process the coffee crop properly. This project seeks to support coffee producers with the implementation of the wet mill beneficio infrastructure consisting of two ceramic lined fermentation tanks, six cement drying patios and six solar dryers.

Results will be measure by recording the quality of the coffee delivered by the producers; the quality of the coffee in the cup; prices obtained for the coffee; participation in coffee quality competitions and the income received from the sale of their coffee.

UPDATE: March 2023
Final Report Coming Soon

Small Breeding Animal (chickens/cuye) Program 2021-25
Communities of Lambeyeque - San Antonio
Funded by: Grounds For Change
Families in these communities base their food on products such as rice, noodles, etc., and do not incorporate the products they have in the area. They are neglecting local food resources with high nutritional value such as legumes of grain, vegetables and small animals, mainly “the cuyes” and chickens that can provide the much-needed daily dietary protein.

Wet Mill Infrastructure Improvement 2021-28
Communities of Lambeyeque
Funded by: Caffe Ibis
In years past the coffee producers in this area have been hit by coffee rust, but they are making extraordinary efforts to renovate their coffee farms in order to maintain the income to support their families need to substantially improve the quality of their coffee and balance their income by achieving a better market price. In order to do so they need to improve their wet mill beneficio infrastructure. They have a good-quality coffee plants due to the quality of the soils and the microclimates that exist in the region. Unfortunately, the quality decreases every step of the way during the harvesting process due to not having the wet mill infrastructure needed to process the coffee crop properly. This project seeks to support coffee producers with the implementation of the wet mill beneficio infrastructure consisting of two ceramic lined fermentation tanks, six cement drying patios and six solar dryers.

Kitchens: Raised Cooking Surfaces & Ventalation 2021-35
Community of Hualanga
Funded by: Jasper Coffee
Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 10 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Kitchens: Raised Cooking Surfaces & Ventalation 2021-36
Community of Penachi
Funded by: Jasper Coffee
Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 10 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Kitchens: Raised Cooking Surfaces & Ventalation 2021-40
Community of Hierba Buena
Funded by: Aroma Specialty Coffee
Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 15 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Kitchens: Raised Cooking Surfaces & Ventalation 2021-44
Community of Illambe
Funded by: Joe Van Gogh Coffee
Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 10 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Kitchens: Raised Cooking Surfaces & Ventalation 2021-45
Community of Pandachi
Funded by: Joe Van Gogh Coffee
Most the of family kitchens in these rural communities are without windows or lighting. The walls and ceilings are low not allowing light to come in, making it difficult to see what they are cooking in their pots, “it’s like cooking in the dark”. There is a lot of soot on the walls and ceilings that is not only contaminating their food, causing respiratory illnesses in the women and children who are more often in the kitchens.

This project will implement 10 kitchen improvements (new raised cooking surfaces and ventilating the smoke to the outside). The overall goal is to provide a safe and more smoke/soot free environment and reduce the incidences of respiratory disease in these communities.

Women's Empowerment and Leadership Workshops 2021-48
Communities of Amazonas, Lambayeque & Cajamarca
Funded by: Bewley's
This project aims to further empower the women coffee producers in Peru as they know more about their rights, develop their skills and talents, as well as learn production and management abilities that allow more women to actively participate in decision-making.

Workshops will be held in sever community centers that allow us to bring together the leaders of the regions of Lambayeque, Cajamarca and Amazonas. Workshops will cover content such as self-esteem, gender focus, leadership, cooperation and solidarity, teamwork, conflict management, sustainable local development objectives, communication and assertiveness, technical-productive management.

School Supplies Micro Loan 2021-50
Region of Cajamarca
Funded by: Ampersand Coffee
Coming Soon.

Scholarship for Saira 2021-53
Community of Murojaga

Funded by: Sally F Sears

This School Scholarship for Saira is a request that will facilitate Saira’s access to education now that face-to-face classes have resumed in Peru. In order to attend school students are required to have a uniform, school supplies, a computer and a printer.
Saira’s mother, is from the community of Murojaga and has been a partner of Cecanor since 1999 and Café Femenino producer since 2003. Saira has been accompanying her mother to meetings even walking two or three hours when the meetings are in different communities. Saira suffers from UTA, a disease transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that causes ulcers on the skin and leaves scars for life.
Her parents have difficulty covering the costs of Saira’s education and the Association is requesting support from the Café Femenino Foundation. In addition, there is hope that efforts can be made to obtain support from the Faces Foundation to provide reconstruction of the scaring on Saira’s face.

The funds requested will provide school supplies, full school uniform, computer and a printer (to be located in the Café Femenino Community Center and available to the producers committee).

UPDATE: August 2022

Agricultural Tools Micro Loan Fund 2021-54
Community of Amazonas
Funded by: Grounds For Change
The shortage of labor has created a situation whereby activities such as weeding or cleaning the farm are not being done in a timely manner, delaying the crop and its productive potential. Currently, the weeding and weed control producers do with machete, taking 20 days to get the weeds out on a hectare, with the use of chaleadora (weed eater) or scythe, the time that a producer would require is 8 to 10 days, reducing costs and time needed to complete the weeding process.
In the Amazon region, the rains are non-stop which facilitates the growth of weeds, there are times when weed control has to be done monthly with the use of the machete.

La Chocolatada 2021-59
Communities of Agua Azul, Guadalupe, Nueva York, San Antonio, San Hose Huanama & Tallapampa
Funded by: Coffee Holding, OPTCO, Ghiradelli & other generous donors
La Chocolatada – hot chocolate, Panettone bread, t-shirts and supplies, was dropped off at 16 locations and then distributed to 26 communities in Lambayeque, Cajamarca and Amazonas where it was shared with children, young and old.

511 children received t-shirts and hats as well as face masks and hand sanitizer lanyards. Family received food bags.