November 25, 2008
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Ken Kierstead and I visited Coop Michiza in Oaxaca, Mexico back in September. The reason for our visit was to better understand the needs and struggles of the cooperative and their members. Several goals arose during our visit from community members. These goals ranged from ways to increase production and revenue to ways to diversify the cooperative.
Before we departed for home we asked these communities to create project proposals and business plans for how they wanted to pursue their goals. I recently received three proposals from Coop Michiza that are quite exciting. The project proposals are (1) a project to renovate land over the next 5 years. This project will increase the quality and yield of their coffee. (2) A roasting project to raise new revenue. This proposal was presented by the community of Buena Vista and their goal is to create a new business by selling roasted coffee throughout their local market. (3) A community greenhouse project. This proposal is from the community of Miramar who is concerned with the quality of life within their community. This project will improve the food quality and incomes of the families of Miramar. The members have worked up in detail the costs associated with each project, how they will implement the projects, and what the net benefit will be for their communities with each project.
In addition, these communities are not asking for Pura Vida to pay for the whole project, they are committing anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost, which shows their determination and commitment for their communities. These proposals are currently under consideration for funding by the Pura Vida Partners board.
If you have any questions about these projects or for ways that you can help, please email me at sam@puravidacoffee.org.
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Thank you for your support!
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Sam Snyder – Program Director
November 6, 2008
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Imagine being a little girl raised in a garbage dump, in a one-room cardboard shack. Marta Lopez might have remained there in Guatemala City had it not been for Fotokids which teaches disadvantaged children how to take inspiring photos-and see a world of new possibilities.
With encouragement from Fotokids, Marta became the top student in her class and was chosen valedictorian by her graduating high school classmates.
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Now 22, she is an accomplished photographer whose work has exhibited in over 32 exhibits in Russia, Spain, UK, Australia, Columbia, Grand Cayman Islands, and Japan.
This year she graduated with a university degree to teach high school history. Clearly, Marta’s love for teaching never would have borne fruit in the one-room shack at the dump. Her inspiring life is why Pura Vida continues to partner with proven, quality organizations like Fotokids-working face-to-face in coffee-growing communities and changing lives.
You are a part of this great work.
Your generous contribution and purchase of Pura Vida coffee, helps change the life of a child like Marta who is giving back and transforming a new generation of young people.
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Buy coffee or donate now to further our effort to Create Good.
For Marta, and the hundreds of deserving children and families in Pura Vida’s world, thank you.
Kindly,
Sam Snyder – Program Director
Pura Vida provides life-changing solutions to further the health, hope and future of children & families in coffee growing communities. Thank you for your support, which is crucial for the continued transformation of these communities.