On Saturday last week Edwin Martinez of Finca Vista Hermosa told us some very difficult news. Their farm manager, Carlos Garcia Martin, and one of his sons, Edwin Garcia Martin, passed away.
We never got to meet Carlos or Edwin as our first visit to FVH is planned to take place in about a month. But we know the importance of the work of the farm manager and from Edwin's own blog we can tell they will be greatly missed.
Aaron Blanco met Carlos on a visit to the farm, and he has posted a very heart-felt post about the tragedy here.
Our condolences and thoughts are with Carlos' and Edwin's family and friends.
Friday, February 22, 2008
A great loss
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3 comments:
Thanks for the link, Klaus. I'm trying to let everyone know we are getting a memorial fund set up very soon for Carlos' widow and family. Keep your eyes peeled for that.
This is very sad.
But it also makes me come back to some of my coffee buying philosophies - and that is that buying coffee, done in the right way, can be a power for good.
That's not immediately obvious, I'm sure. But, what I mean is, that coffee, predominately comes from 'developing' economies (I work for the UN, forgive the jargon). Now, despite the generosity of peoples like the Danes with their magnificent record of contribution to development assistance, the real money is in trade.
And that is why part of my motivation when I decide which coffee to buy is not only about quality. So, for example, I have never bought Australian beans. Apparently they are good. But my kroner will do a better job in Kenya, Ethiopia, Nepal or Guatemala. And Coffee Collective's direct trade model inspires me even more to put my money in the right place.
Let's face it - those of us from the wealthy North who regularly spend way above average on coffee should also recognise that we have enough money to make a difference.
When people are killed for their weekly wages, it only highlights the difference in our relative wealths.
I shall be buying more FVH coffee from the CC on the assumption that just some of my money makes it to these people.
Neil
Sad, sad news!
You can donate through http://www.barefootcoffeeroasters.com/. Just go to their online shop and make a donation using paypal.
Simon.
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