Family of Giving
PROGRESS REPORT: May, 2026
Many of the coffee producers were unable to get out of their community making access to food was limited. The first priority became to provide some necessary supplies as quickly as possible while making the plans to clear the debris and plan for the future.
To-Date Activities Undertaken
- Food Distribution During a meeting with the leadership committee, it was agreed to distribute food supplies to all members of the Producers' Committee of Virgen de Fátima and Nuevo Belén. Food supplies were distributed to 17 beneficiaries. The food ration consisted of: 2 kg of rice, 2 kg of sugar, 2 liters of cooking oil, 2 kg of lentils, 1.5 kg of pasta, 2 kg of salt, and 3 cans of tuna.
2. Wages for Land Clearing Given that the damage caused by hurricane-force winds varied among producers, photographs of the damaged plantations were requested, along with the wage records documenting the labor used to clear the fields. Funding has been provided to cover 100 man-days of labor for field clearing.
Pending Items
- Shade and Fruit Tree Seedlings: The technical advisor is currently working with the producers to evaluate suitable shade and fruit tree species—specifically those compatible with coffee cultivation—that can be planted within the farm grounds or along the property boundaries.
- Coffee Seed: As we are entering the harvest season, seeds will be selected during the months of June and July; two nurseries will then be established to grow the seedlings for subsequent distribution to the members.
The project aims to recover coffee plantations, shade trees, fruit trees, and food crops damaged by hurricane-force winds that significantly impacted the communities of Virgen de Fátima and Belén. On February 2nd with intense rainfall, followed by hurricane-force winds, primarily damaged coffee, fruit, and corn crops. Coffee is the main source of income for both communities. The hurricane-force winds downed shade trees and fruit trees, seriously affecting the coffee plants. The government has offered assistance, but officials have ordered that the fallen trees not be moved, making the recovery of the coffee plantations increasingly difficult with each passing day. This situation is creating an economic crisis for families in both communities, who lack the resources to clear the fields and provide for their families.
Therefore, we request your financial support for:
- Paying for workers to cut down fallen shade and fruit trees, clear the land, and attempt to recover as many coffee plants as possible.
- Purchase of saplings of shade and fruit trees.
- Preparation of coffee nurseries for replanting on affected farms.
- Agricultural supplies (organic fertilizers, tools).
Funds requested by March 1, 2026
**To help fund this grant request 2026-02, contact Marilyn or by phone 360.909.8671 for an update.
In addition to removing fallen trees from the coffee farms in Virgen de Fatima, we delivered emergency food supplies to the coffee producers.
