Monday, March 17, 2008

Putumayo Artist to Perform at 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 3

Our 20th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for May 3, 2008, at the SCAA Conference and Exhibition in Minneapolis, Minn., just keeps getting better. We’re happy to announce that Luca Mundaca, a recording artist with Putumayo World Music, will be performing at the event.

Mundaca, a self-taught guitarist and vocalist, has appeared on the Putumayo compilations “Women of the World Acoustic” and “Brazilian Lounge.” She was born in Chile and moved with her family to a small town south of Sao Paulo, Brazil, when she was six. At age 15 she began teaching herself to play guitar and has dedicated her life to music. For more information on Mundaca, check out her profile on Putumayo’s site.

Along with Mundaca’s performance, Coffee Kids 20th Anniversary Dinner celebration will feature a short Coffee Kids movie and a variety of speakers including Founder Bill Fishbein, Executive Director Carolyn Fairman, Board President Rob Stephen and longtime contributors and representatives from our partner organizations in Latin America.

Dinner reservations for the event are required. Please contact Heather Ferraro at or 505-820-1443 for reservations and details.

Voice from the Field: Miriam Canto Juarez

Miriam Canto Juarez is a 13-year-old from the community Ocotitlan, Ixhuatlan de Café, Veracruz, Mexico. She takes part in programs run by Coffee Kids partner, Self-Managed Development (AUGE).

“I am part of the children’s savings group called ‘Coral,’ this year with the help of Coffee Kids, our group has received training to help us become facilitators, or as we call them, ‘promoters.’ We learned about the different types of leadership and other topics like drug addiction, domestic violence, sex education and alcoholism. Since I am also part of a group of women in the GMAS program called ‘Las Americas,’ everything I learn with the Coral group, I share with my women’s group

“The ‘Las Americas’ group is around 30 women. My mother and one of my sisters are also members. Doña Clara Palma, the coordinator of the GMAS groups and of the children’s savings groups, asked me to share what I learn in my children’s group with the women’s group because it is important to share what you learn. I enjoy this a lot and we use active lessons that are like games and so we learn with more ease.

“Currently, I am studying in secondary school and when I grow up I would like to be a teacher because I really like to teach. The topics that I like most are leadership, because I think that we women can also direct things. And I like to explain things related to the environment because they are very important and because we cannot afford to lose what we have.

“When the women in my group listen to me, I feel great because I don’t feel nervous talking in public. Before I was nervous and scared, but not anymore. I’m not paid for this work, but I gain confidence in myself and now the women in my group know that they can listen to children as well as adults.”

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Point-of-Origin Tours in the Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal featured an article on point-of-origin tours on March 11*. “Tours to Fair-Trade Farms Help Coffee Sellers Spread Word” tells about tours to coffee producing regions being conducted by various coffee companies. The article really hits on the transformative nature of these trips. When you have a chance to visit the origin of the products you consume – especially in the case of coffee – you realize how difficult life is in many of the communities that produce coffee.

Coffee Kids member Java Republic from Ireland recently joined us on a point-of-origin trip to visit our partner CECOCAFEN in Nicaragua. The group saw parallels between conditions and life in Nicaragua and Ireland from 50 years ago and returned from the trip even more dedicated to helping improve the lives of coffee-farming families. Carolyn Fairman, executive director at Coffee Kids, chronicles the adventure in the blog “Irish Eyes on Nicaragua.” You can also see photos from the trip on our Flickr site

*Thanks to Derek for pointing this article out.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Fishbein Declares Confidence, Resigns from Board Role at Coffee Kids

(Santa Fe, N.M.) – Bill Fishbein, founder of Coffee Kids, has resigned from the board of directors. Declaring his confidence in the organization Fishbein has decided to offer his expertise to other non-profits and businesses looking to maximize the impact of their Corporate Social Responsibility dollars and pursue other opportunities to help coffee-farming families. Fishbein continues to be an ardent supporter of Coffee Kids and will continue to advocate for the organization and serve on the board of Coffee Kids UK charity.

Coffee Kids’ non-commercial approach to development has helped tens of thousands of coffee-farming families. But millions more are in dire need. “It became obvious to me that Coffee Kids was going to have to be around for a long time,” said Fishbein. “To do so, it had to become free from its dependency on me. The organization has been transitioning toward this day for several years, since Carolyn Fairman took over responsibility for day-to-day activities as executive director.”

“Coffee Kids is no longer dependent upon me,” added Fishbein.“The staff is led by an executive director whose heart and sensibilities are deeply rooted in programs. With a well-seasoned president and depth in grassroots program development, organizational development, finance, marketing and fundraising, the board is more capable than any other time in Coffee Kids history. I have no doubt Coffee Kids will follow the mission instead of the money.”

Rob Stephen, President of the Coffee Kids board of directors said, “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Coffee Kids, we applaud Bill’s vision as the founder of this extraordinary organization. To truly honor his work over the last two decades and demonstrate respect for his decision to step away, we will hold fast to our mission, remain focused on meaningful programs, and continue to build infrastructure that increases our capacity to do good. The best way to say thank you to Bill and all those who have made our first 20 years possible is to ensure we are built to last well into the future.”

Fishbein’s vote of confidence comes as Coffee Kids prepares to formally mark its 20th Anniversary with a Dinner Celebration May 3, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center during the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s 2008 Conference & Exhibition. For more information call 505-820-1143 or email .