In Gear | Rotary in Southern New Zealand In Gear - Issue 3 | Page 20
wants to be there with them, and
working alongside them in an
ethical environment.”
The foundation, which has already
struck up a supply relationship
with a New Zealand coffee
roaster, plans to double the
number of families to 10, and will
continue educating them about
international trade, as well as
refurbishing an old mill that lies
on the 2ha plot.
Herminio uses his new-found drilling skills to build a coffee-drying bed.
“There’s no point returning nutrients to point-five-of-
a-hectare here and there. You have to get everyone
on board. If we’re going to be part of reviving Pluma
coffee, everyone needs to buy into it.”
As part of the pilot, The Lucy Foundation had a review
conducted. The results were heartwarming, and, with it,
came the greatest feedback the team could have hoped
for. Every farming family was eager to stay on board.
What’s more, they are already enjoying significant
benefits.
“They are just overwhelmed with joy that their young
people with disabilities, for the first time in their lives,
are spending significant periods of time away from the
family home,” Robbie says.
“We have one young man – 17 or 18 – who’s gone from
never