HAMBURG, Germany – These are unprecedented times, the global disruption caused by the spreading of COVID-19 is affecting every aspect of our lives: at Coffee Kids we feel a strong responsibility for our teams on the ground and the young coffee farmers we are working with. We believe that with community support and coordinated action we can inform the young women and men in Coffee Kids about the novel Coronavirus and what they can do to protect themselves. We are adjusting our methods and messages, but our effort and commitment continue.
In the countries where our young farmers live, the national governments are already taking precautionary steps to stop the further spreading of the new Coronavirus. Our offices and staff in Guatemala, Honduras, and Tanzania are all following these recommendations and supporting dissemination in rural communities.
For our teams, this means working remotely from home, social distancing, and changing from personal meetings to virtual connections.
We are still in constant communication with participants over digital channels. We are leveraging our connections with leaders of farmer organizations to ensure all members are receiving up-to-date information how to stop the spreading of the virus, how to protect themselves, and what to do to inform the community.
Coffee Kids is dedicated to helping our young women and men continue to find solutions for their coffee farms and small businesses as this difficult situation evolves. We are looking forward, anticipating new requirements, and keeping our efforts up-to-date with the additional needs of the farmer communities.
Recognizing that crop cycles continue despite the coronavirus, we are reaching these young farmers with information and personalized coaching on how to adapt their businesses, while safeguarding their health. Individualized outreach and continuous communication takes additional time on top of necessary ongoing services, and so we are asking for your generosity and support to help young farmers during this uncertain time.
At Coffee Kids, we are dedicated to #thefutureofcoffee and we hope you will join us.
We know the global crisis of COVID-19 is affecting so many, and our thoughts go out to you and your loved ones.
Be well!
Joanna Furgiuele
Director of Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives
Coffee Kids
Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung North America
