Be part of the coffee story.
Coffee AID (Assistance for Indigenous Development) is an NGO that advocates fair trade, empowerment for indigenous peoples, and love for our own. We buy the coffee from indigenous backyard growers from the Cordillera at above-market prices. This is because we believe that they deserve the right price for their quality organically-grown coffee. Through this advocacy, we aim to eliminate the 'middleman' practice where coffee is bought from them at such a low price then sold at high margins to end-consumers. Our native coffee growers care for the coffee they produce; coffee has been their way of life. Exploitation has been their pain and we hope to completely reverse this by helping give what is due them.
Aside from volunteer opportunities, it also offers a program for private individuals to advance-buy coffee thus helping the native farmers get regular income.
On December, the peak of coffee harvest, we started a pilot volunteer program in the Coffee AID farms. We helped in picking the coffee cherries and spent time with the farmers and their children. Summer is the best time for planting new coffee trees, and in our commitment to give what we could, we are enjoining volunteers (yes, you! :D) to be part of the wonderful story of coffee! This is an exciting opportunity to give of ourselves - to plant not just seedlings of coffee trees, but more so to plant hope in the lives of the local coffee farmers.
Aside from tree-planting, we shall also hold various activities for the children, teens and youth in the community. If you are not allowed to do strenuous activities (health conditions, etc) but still want to take part in this unique experience, we still have something for you. You can teach or hold workshops or do story-telling sessions for the youth.
Accommodation is free at the Coffee AID Center in the mountains of Atok, Benguet, and we'd all chip-in for food (fresh veggies, red rice, fresh fruits, weeee!). The Center has a kitchen and hot shower, and for more details, kindly check the attached file. And since May 1st is only a few nights away, we hope you would be available for a pre-trip meeting on Monday, 28th of April.
coffee aid volunteers' orientation
530PM april 28 monday
cordicoffee marikina
agenda: coffee tree planting on may1-3
to be followed by the opening of
Bin-i: A tribute to Coffee AID farmers
a travelling exhibit in honour of native coffee growers
featuring a
free screening
of BLACK GOLD
www.blackgoldmovie.com
a documentary about coffee and trade
at 7PM (please confirm attendance, limited seats)
530PM april 28 monday
cordicoffee marikina
agenda: coffee tree planting on may1-3
to be followed by the opening of
Bin-i: A tribute to Coffee AID farmers
a travelling exhibit in honour of native coffee growers
featuring a
free screening
of BLACK GOLD
www.blackgoldmovie.com
a documentary about coffee and trade
at 7PM (please confirm attendance, limited seats)
see you on monday! :D
free coffee for volunteers!
for more queries and other info
please contact
iona at 09226702205/ 09205729940
or pao at 09227213835
or phone the cordi marikina shop at (02)9338040
or email cordilleracoffee@gmail.com
