Verification Of
Guatemala...
In the aftermath of Hurricane Stan mudslides ravaged the
mountainside of San Juan La Laguna causing
unprecedented damage and loss. In response a coordinated
effort was made by Elan Organic Coffees, Green Mountain
Coffee Roasters and other donors to provide resources in
order to rebuild homes that were destroyed during the
height of the storms, when the river grew beyond
anyone's provisional sight. The storm physically
dislocated many members of the  community and is also
blamed for the direct loss of between 30-80% of their
annual cash crop: coffee.
The Hurricane caused
a ripple effect of disaster, financial and physical
throughout the community.
Elan Organic Coffees In Country Representative, Ron
Hoppoenbrouwers, has been working with the housing
project of Cooperative La Voz Que Reclama en El Desierto
for over a year. He has visited the project to take
photos and notes on its problems and progress.
Today, we are proud to announce that the housing project
is complete! "All of the beneficiaries are very thankful
to Elan Organic Coffees, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
and all other donors/helping hands for their efforts and
aid in this devastating time. They recognize all of the
continued 
support towards the coffee cooperative, which fuels the local
economy. Finishing these homes represents more than just
hope for the people of San Juan La Laguna, it also
represents the ability for Cooperative La Voz Que Reclama en El Desierto to demonstrate their partnership
in the international community, both in business and
development" says Ron. "Partnership with Elan Organic
Coffees and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters have proved
long term sustainability."
The crop is rejuvenating and a cupping lab has been
installed at the Cooperative. The
Cupping Lab is an sign of commitment to cup quality and
continued improvement.
Elan Organic Coffees has a commitment to not only to
create long term relationships with suppliers, but also
to help them facilitate, monitor and succeed at
community development. This is a direct result of Elan's
representation and willingness to go to origin. It is
important to realize that coffee producers, today, still
face many more challenges than their organic inspection
and successful exportation; they also face real
community challenges and natural disasters.
The housing project is just one example of how Ron has
been a stronghold in the recovery of coffee farmers. He
has lead Maya Ixil, one of Elan's key suppliers in
Guatemala, to create partnerships to continue harvest
and cup quality. He is working on developing a
reforestation program for farmers certified ECOQ™
in order to improve the sustainability of coffee
plantations and future harvests. Ron and Karen have
visited hundreds of farmers, creating Elan's onsite
verification process at origin.
Travel with Elan
to Guatemala...
Our In Country Rep Ron will be your guide from
Panajachel to Antigua! Please join us for 6 days of a
local coffee tour. The trip includes exploring beautiful
Fincas, coffee cuppings, Mill tours and more. It will be
a small group of 8 people, so please contact Elan if you
have interest!
|
