Description
In the villages near Bitaug, Municipality of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, a community of Bagobo Tagabawa women, The Tribal Women Weavers Association, saw an opportunity in coffee when they found themselves faced with periods of cotton thread shortage. Robusta coffee was being grown and harvested in their area and there was a need for proper processing of these coffees so that they could fetch better prices in the market. Sorting coffees by removing defects could greatly improve coffee quality and positively impact its selling price. They realized that by setting up a simple sorting facility where women could gather and sort coffees, they could generate income for their families.
“Since we had been sorting coffee, many women from our community have been helped. Because (sorting work) has helped them provide…even a little…to buy rice, pay for electricity,” shares Vivencia Mamites, one of the community leaders.
The community can greatly benefit from tools and equipment like sorting tables, moisture meters, green bean packaging materials, etc. to help them ensure that the quality of their coffees can be maintained through storage and transport. Proceeds from the Strange Mercy x Commune: Women in Coffee shirts will be donated to The Tribal Women Weavers Association to help them in the acquisition of these tools that can increase their productivity and guarantee the quality of their products.
We thank you in advance for supporting this cause and for supporting women in coffee and Philippine Coffee producers!
