Meet Maciel. She's an organic coffee producer from the mountains of Nicaragua. She also
studies social development at the local university. Both are unique opportunities for a young
woman here. This is her story, how a group of independent women change their community
forever. In the 1980s, rural Nicaraguan families fought for their right to have their own land
incultivated. However, the land remained under the power of men, leaving the women, wives,
mothers and daughters economically and socially dependent. Maciel's grandmother, Doña Lucia,
a strong, independently-minded woman, along with other women in the community, searched
for an opportunity to transform their lives too. At first, they joined the men's coffee
cooperatives, but could not make their voices heard. The constant psychological violence
from being silenced affected their self-esteem. Finally, the women decided to start their own
cooperative, but legally, they needed at least 20 women and land to plant coffee. A group
of 12 women started to meet, attend trainings and work together in their family gardens.
They got the word out about their idea and soon, 30 women wanted in on the dream. Eventually,
thanks to a generous $5,000 loan from a German man, they bought three acres of land and the
new Don Women's Cooperative was born. It was something that the men had never seen before,
women abandoning what they considered a woman's natural habitat. They thought the women would
not be successful, but their theory was weakened by the women's accomplishments, and they began
to protest. Some women decided it was better to break free from their husbands in order
to stay in the cooperative. They planted the best variety of coffee. They worked with their
families to cultivate the organic crop as the plants grew. Then they harvested the beans
and separated the best from the rest. After three productive years, they paid off 80%
of their loan. They were close to earning profits for the first time. But then, a fungal
disease began killing coffee plantations all over Central America.
Instead of giving up, these resilient and innovative women survived the huge loss by
diversifying, cultivating grains, fruits, vegetables, making organic fertilizer, creating
a structure for educational tourism and working in other parts of the coffee process. The crisis
solidified their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication. All of the women and their families
have benefited from training the cooperative provides. Several universities have brought
students to visit and learn about this work. They helped the cooperative start a scholarship
program and so far, 15 women and children from the community have received higher education.
Good Trip Coffee Company is proud to source our beans from the new Don Cooperative and
other amazing women too. We share their values. We share their innovative mindset and approach
to new opportunities. We believe that investing in women benefits communities and that investing
in education can change lives forever. They've inspired us. Our role is to serve as a platform
for them to access new markets, to continue to grow their operations, their knowledge,
and to receive the opportunities they deserve.
