The Women Producer coffee from CODECH is a special program, and has been one of the catalysts for our expanded Women Producers collaborations. The coffee in this container is 100% from women-owned or -managed farms. The women growers are paid a premium to have their lots separated out for this specific offering, and the premiums are used in part by the women of CODECH to support health-initiative programs in the community. Half of the premium is collected for a women's health workshop in the municipality of Concepcion Huista, which has a high infant-mortality rate.
For a picture gallery from CODECH click here and here.
CODECH (Coordinator of Organizations for the Development of Concepcion Huista) is a second-tier organization located in the municipality of Concepcion Huista in the department of Huehuetenango in Guatemala. Itcomprises 10 different organizations.
CODECH was founded in 1998, as representatives of the member organizations were in search of alternative development programs for the community in Concepcion Huista.One of CODECH’s main objectives is the participation of women in society and the workforce. Gregorio, the general manager of CODECH, is also pushing for farmers to renovate their farms. He believes they could be producing about three times their current volume on average.
The organization's organic certification is not only indiciative of its commitment to being environmentally friendly, but also to be independent from transnationals which produce fertilizers. They are also want independence from the price of oil (used in fertilizers). Gregorio also believes that there is a growing market for organic products and wants to meet that demand.
- Organic farming workshops
- General agriculture workshops
- National and international commercialization workshops
- Teacher development workshops
- Women's specific workshops
- Political incidence
- Women's rights and gender equity
- Self esteem
- Leadership
- Medical attention
- Household development
- Classes by mail and radio