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Policarpio connects with the community of Amavida
After the Coop Coffees AGM, on his way back down to Bolivia, producer representative Policarpio Ali Cruz stopped for a short visit with Amavida Coffee Roasters in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He only had a couple days but as usual, the folks at Amavida made it well worth everyone's while with several meaningful and fun events!
It was an honor to have Policarpio participate in our meetings and present the history and current context of FECAFEB...to take full advantage of the rare occasion of his visit to the US, Amavida offered to host Poli for a few days after the AGM in its hometown community of Santa Rosa Beach.
Policarpio is the commercialization manager of Fecafeb -- an umbrella organization that facilitates the marketing and exportation of coffee for small producer cooperatives in Bolivia. When talking to Poli, you quickly realize two things: 1) he's an incredibly busy and productive man who cares tremendously about the coffee farmers of Bolivia and 2) the coffee industry -- growing it, transporting it from farm to capital, exporting it, etc -- in Bolivia is complicated given its isolated farming communities, the treachorous roads to get to those communities, and the political history of a very poor yet very hard-working country. In his work, Poli is able to see the difference that Fair Trade is making for farmers...and he's happy to inform you about it.
During his visit in Santa Rosa Beach, Poli had several occasions to speak about Fecafeb's work in Bolivia as well as the advantages and issues surrounding Fair Trade in his country. Apart from getting to know the staff and customers of Amavida, he also had the opportunity to speak to high school students at a couple different schools in their Spanish classes. It gave the students a chance to hear about Fair Trade and coffee from the perspective of someone who experiences it day-to-day...it also gave their Spanish a good work-out!
Later in the week, Poli was a guest speaker on 30A Radio, the local radio station for the community. When he wasn't talking to schools or giving presentations, Poli got to experience a couple "firsts", such as swimming in the ocean and eating Sushi.
Before heading back to La Paz where he would undoubtedly hit the ground running...Poli made sure to take a bit of time for rest and relaxation -- which are few and far between in his relentless work back home! The short visit was a privilege for everyone involved and as Dan Bailey, owner of Amavida, says, " our community enjoyed his presence very much."
