2006 "Dollar Back" Donations

Organic Coffee Plantation:  $2500.00        

We planted 10,000 coffee plants (2 hectares) in the organic coffee plantation.  We also planted 600 native trees and 50 fruit trees in this farm.  Part of this plantation will be administrated and harvested with the participation of student members of the Scholarship Program of the coop.  100% of the economic benefits will be invested in education.

Recycling - $1500.00

The coop buys recycled paper bags from the women of San Luis and provides them with the “silver skin” of the coffee seeds to be used in the elaboration of the bags.  The coop decided to use these recycled bags instead of buying cheaper aluminum bags in San Jose. 

Scholarships - $1712.00

This year 25 secondary students and 10 university students are participating in the Scholarship Program.  75% of the scholarship money comes from the “Children from Rural Communities Foundation “and 25% comes from Coffee Traders “dollar back” program.

Coffee and Tree Nursery - $3450.00

The coop produced 20000 coffee plants this year, to be sold at 50% of the cost to the coffee growers.  The plants are produced using 100% organic soil from the coffee pulp process.  The coop also produced 3000 native trees and 200 fruit trees, to be given to the coffee growers under no cost to them.

Organic Fertilizer - $1225.00

With the support of Coffee Traders and the United Nation Program for the Environment, the coop built a new infrastructure for organic fertilizer process.  The organic fertilizer is used in the production of coffee plants and native trees.  Most of the product however goes to the coffee farms without any cost to them.

Sustainable Coffee - $2000.00

The cooperative is in the process of being certified as “Sustainable Coffee”.  The certification covers the farms and the coffee mill.  Next crop will be certified.  This program is in alliance with a Dutch program as well as the Rainforest Alliance.

What does “Sustainable Coffee” mean?

·        Soil Conservation

·        Protection of rivers and springs

·        Conservation of the forest and biodiversity in the farm

·        Shade grown coffee

·        Minimum use of pesticides

·        Waste management

·        Minimum wages for the workers

·        Health and security for the workers, according with the laws in Costa Rica

·        Transparency in the administration of the coop

Promotion and Publicity -$2750.00

The coop has invested a total $5000. in promotion and publicity this year.  $2750. in promotion of the dollar back program, $1000. on a CD with information about the Coop, Café Monteverde and Monteverde as a tourist destination; and $1750 for professional services in publicity.

Cultural and Sports Activities - $500.00

Coopesanta Elena R.L. sponsored the Athletic Festival for Children celebrated in July this year.  More than 60 children from 3 to 12 years participated.  With this kind of activity, the coop joins efforts with some other groups in Monteverde concerned about physical and mental health of our children.

During September to December we will be preparing a theater presentation about Fair Trade, to be shared with local people and visitors.  With this presentation the coop is hoping to make some money for the scholarship program.  Most of the actors will be students- children of the coffee growers.

Biological Research in Monteverde - $500.00

The coop supported the research about a special fungus killing native trees that are important for the preservation of Bell Bird and Quetzals in Monteverde.  The research is coordinated by Phd Frank PhD, from the University of California.