Finca Selva Negra, Nicaragua

Selva Negra is a socially conscious farm that already had great projects of its own in place when Pete first began to buy coffee from them five years ago. Owner Mausi Kuhl is dedicated to ongoing social benefit programs for her farm workers.

In 2001 Community Aid paid for rebuilding bathrooms, showers, and creating a central washing area complete with awning and concrete flooring. Most of the workers' houses got new roofs. Community Aid also continued to support daily meal programs for the farm's pickers. But after food and shelter needs were met, another ingredient for a good life needed to be brought up to date: the farm's recreational baseball field turf and infield were repaired. In all, we spent a total of $12,500.

In 2002 Rogers Family raised their support level to more than $31,000. A six-room school was constructed, (kindergarten through to 8th grade), new seasonal worker housing was built and chimneys and kitchens were repaired in existing year-round worker's houses. Ongoing programs such as a medical clinic, school supply distribution and nutritious meal assistance continued to receive Community Aid funds.

In 2003 sixteen permanent worker's houses were extended to include a shower and bathroom. Existing showers and bathrooms for seasonal workers were upgraded and yielded a small but important benefit: an extra area for each family that means they do not have to all sleep in the same room. Christmas toys for children, a meal program and clinic supplies also received financial support.

In 2004, we spent approximately $36,000 on new latrines and shower areas, continued meal programs, clinic supplies, school supplies and the Selva Negra baseball team.