Conservation Volunteering – Dani’s time with former guerillas

Dani was placed with a co-operative community of families of former guerilla fighers who now grow and market organic coffee. Dani learnt coffee harvesting techniques as well as helping the co-operative develop agritourism.

Volunteering at an organic coffee farm

Dani volunteered with a community near the municipality of Colomba Costa Cuca, who produce organic coffee to sell in domestic and international markets. 80% of the community members were guerillas during the Guatemalan civil war, but with the support of the European Union and Spanish Red Cross, they re-developed an abandoned farm into a co-operative with coffee fields, a school, daycare and hostel.

During her placement, Dani learnt coffee harvesting techniques and assisted with planting, toasting and drying the coffee. She also helped with the development of an agritourism project for the co-operative and updated their website and social media.