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Coffee For Peace
is feeling the need to increase our supply of coffee
beans. Because we're committed to serve fair-traded coffee only,
we have to explore direct growers in Mindanao.
Through the introduction of a local spiritual leader, we met a group of
farmers in Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. These
coffee farmers belong to the Bagobo Tribe, one of the Indigenous Peoples
of Mindanao or Lumad.
According to their leaders, their hard work is not compensated well by
the local merchants who currently buy their coffee at a very low price.
This group of coffee growers has been looking for bulk buyers who would
pay them justly.
When their spiritual leaders told their stories to us, we requested to
set-up a meeting with them. We drove through rugged terrains.
We hiked some trails.
The gathering in front of a humble home on a mountain plateau was very
memorable and meaningful. We listened to each family's journey.
We heard their struggles. Their determination and resilience
amazed us. We laughed as they joke away their frustrations.
We celebrated their triumphs. They quickly earned our respect.
We learned a lot!
That's when we decided to propose a partnership.
We left the Bagobos of Sibulan with so much faith in their sincerity and
capability to supply us with fair-traded coffee.
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