“We nourish them as if they are one of our children. It might just be a seed but to us, this is life.”

Nicaragua – Jinotega

“Last year, I went to school for the first time in my life.”
“What did you learn there?”
“To read letters.”
“What is the best thing about knowing how to read?”
“That nobody can lie to you.”

Nicaragua – Jinotega

“For five years I visited her house. I was very much in love but her father did not approve. I used to make up all kinds of excuses just to be around her. One day I collected all my courage and asked for her hand. He didn’t thought she wanted to marry me so he joked and said that he would approve as long as his daughter agreed. To his surprise she said yes. Now we have 13 children, 30 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.”

Nicaragua – Jinotega

“He was very romantic with me. When we were young he always sang these songs that involved my name, which is Miriam. After the Sandinistas came they took all his money and belongings. It was such a big tragedy for him that he developed a terrible drinking problem. He didn’t live much longer after that. I have been a widow for over twenty-two years and I never fell in love again, he’s the only one for me.”

Nicaragua – Laguna de Apoyo

For those who wander why I’m in Nicaragua and what exactly I’m doing, here is a small explanation. I came here supported by UTZ Certified. UTZ is a not-for-profit international organization based in Amsterdam that stands for making sustainable farming the norm. You would recognize the certification by the small UTZ logo on coffee, tea or chocolate packing. Why Nicaragua you might think? A lot coffee consumed in the Netherlands and the rest of the world comes from Latin America. During this trip I met many farmers and other people who are involved in the process of producing coffee. The sustainable coffee farming has a big influence on these communities. It gives farmers more control over their own life and the decisions they make. They are well informed about their rights and it protects their natural resources. During this trip I realized how responsible consuming influences the lives of entire families and communities. So far it has been very touching. Thank you for following this journey with me.