Today, we went to the farm where Nicaraguan coffee is grown. There we saw several new types of coffee, we also were told the most profitable months where December to February. We also heard 250 people work at the farm during this time and only earn 27 Cordobas a day, which is equivalent to $1. Living on a dollar seems unreal to me but these people do it each day. We also learned that plants can get disease from mosquitos and as a result people could go hungry because they would be unable to work. We later thanked the speaker for bestowing his knowledge onto us.
We later went to a exportation warehouse where we learned the economic side of coffee. Most coffee is shipped to Asia, Europe and the US where these places have a surplus of coffee buyers. We, as a super power, may see it as helping but in reality we are hurting their government. For example, there are people who are unable to pay for education, living quarters and food because of the inflated costs caused by our consumerism. The coffee was good but several issues arose. For example, the exportation warehouse sends out millions of coffee pounds . In Nicaragua the coffee costs 90 Cordobas per pound which is 2 US dollars. But a question came to me, which was that we spend trillions of dollars on coffee but don’t know its history behind how it was made or by whom. For example, one interested piece of information I learned was that coffee grown in different altitudes has different flavors. We as the American people spend $3.50 for a small cup of coffee at Starbucks. The prices have been inflated to the point that the people in poor countries are getting poorer and it is more difficult to sustain a successful lifestyle in poor countries. My final question to us as leaders is: are you aware of the suffering the people face in everyday life, and if so, why not make a change?
Brother Walker, it is funny that you posted this experience and that I read it today, since I spent about two hours sitting in a Starbucks coffee shop waiting for my daughter to finish her art class for the day. My wife and I are huge coffee drinkers, but we do not usually drink Starbucks–too expensive! But I noticed in Starbucks how many young people are buying coffee drinks for at least $4.00 a cup. I wonder how many of them would change their coffee drinking habits after reading your post. However, there is such a thing as “Fair Trade” coffee, which is supposed to be more fair to the coffee growers.
And I did not buy any Starbucks today! I just sat in a comfy chair and used the wifi to get work done.
I applaud your work and the questions that you ask of us regarding the poverty that exists in lesser developed countries. Great job. Eagle is proud of you and your classmates. I cannot wait to see you in the Fall and in Town Hall, where you will certainly be called upon to share your leadership experiences with your brothers. What a learning experience and an adventure!
S. Mathur
Matthew,
What a well-written and informative post! I would have never thought that huge consumption/consumerism of coffee, of all things, could cause and contribute to the hardships already faced by many in under developed countries. While I am not a keen Starbucks consumer (too pricey for me) I now wonder how many other coffee shops import their products from countries like Nicaragua. I would like to believe that, we as consumers, could bring about the change you mentioned if we were more aware of the impact, our purchases had on others around the globe.
Additionally, I too could not imagine living on a dollar a day, and I amazed by the resilience of the Nicaraguan people as many of you have described in your blogs. I hope that each of you walk away from this experience with a new-found appreciation for your ability to be effective leaders, taking nothing for granted, and in remembrance of the struggles and adversities faced by your Nicaraguan family/friends, live each day to the fullest.
Keep up the good work and enjoy the rest of your adventures!