“We live in silence; no one hears us, no one sees us, no one knows the work we do, no one gives value to our lives, and no one knows the pain we suffer or hears our fear. What we want is not very much. What we want is for our voices to be heard and to be given respect for the work we do and what we contribute to those who buy, sell and consume the fruit of our farms and the work of our hands.”
 ~ Candida Gomez, Café Femenino Coffee Farmer (Colombia)

“We've found in country after country that the power women have to improve conditions in the world's poorest areas is nothing short of incredible. With an education, opportunity and a voice, women can bring lasting change to an entire society and move it forward.”  ~ CARE Canada

CAFÉ FEMENINO - "Great Coffee Doing Great Things"

At Shuswap Coffee Company, we are extremely proud of our commitment to the Café Femenino project. Women in coffee-growing regions are traditionally oppressed, marginalized and very often abused or abandoned. They have no rights and no role in the communities except to bear children and provide for their husbands and families.

From Peru, comes a story of strength and empowerment that has given hope to women coffee growers around the world. In 2004, a brave group of Peruvian women proposed the idea of separating their coffee and selling it as a special commodity. A new coffee, Café Femenino, was born and is changing the role of women in rural coffee communities.

This Fair Trade and Organic certified coffee is grown, processed, and traded exclusively by women. The women are paid two cents over Fair Trade prices for their premium coffee and are using the additional funds to better their lives and those of their families.

Café Femenino programs have spread to Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, Bolivia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, and will continue to expand as the need for support of women in coffee-growing countries is great.

By supporting women coffee growers, we improve the quality of life in the entire community. These women take great pride in their production and we know that you will enjoy these unique coffees for their wonderful taste, as well as for the special story that underlies its production. Your purchase does make a difference.

For more, visit www.cafefemenino.org.

Further information about Café Femenino and a look at a Roasters trip to Peru to meet the women coffee farmers in “Strong Coffee – The Story of Café Femenino” can be found at www.strongcoffeefilm.com.

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