Good Coffee, Great Cause

As many of you know, my wife and I are currently on our belated honeymoon 😎 We've travelled to two of the three bay islands of Honduras: Roatan and Utila. We chose these destinations based on a couple of criteria: relative ease and cost of travel, great scuba diving, and warm climate and people. While we've had an amazing time together and have shared many adventures, this post is not about that. One thing I did not expect to encounter and be truly moved by were the number of people we met who were volunteering to do service. We've had conversation after conversation with people who are sacrificing their time and energy towards some really amazing causes.

Upon arriving in Houston to catch our connecting flight to Roatan (only in the last couple years were flights from major US hub airports to Roatan available), we met a group of 19 people traveling to Roatan only to catch a chartered flight to arrive at a super remote part of coastal Honduras only accessible by plane or boat. Their group has been working in this village for the past several years continuing construction on a school. As the school population increases and gets older, they return to add to the building.

We also met two girls, one from Texas and one from Florida, who were volunteering in La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland at a school for deaf children. These are children who were never educated in any form of communication. Most of their communication skills are rudimentary pointing or self assigned symbols or motions. As a result, they are on the verge of entering adulthood not knowing sign language in any language. These girls spend their summer teaching these kids the very basic and fundamental skill of communicating.

Lastly, on the island of Utila, we came across a funky little cafe called Rio Coco. As a little aside, it is really difficult to find a good cup of coffee anywhere in Central America or the islands. Many of the locals just don't drink it, and it all gets exported to the United States and Europe. As an avid coffee addict, I'd been jonesing for a good cup of coffee. Rio Coco not only had the best coffee I'd yet to have on either Roatan or Utila, the coffee shop itself has an amazing story.

Owners of the coffee shop, Michael and Laura Bagby began an effort in 1986 which became known as  project Ezra. Long story short, they began raising funds to help educate refugees fleeing a violent government coup in Nicaragua. The refugees set up camp along the Rio Coco, the border between Honduras and Nicaragua. The Rio Coco is an extremely remote region, without any roads, access to electricity, or running water. Michael spent years here beginning this program and has made regular trips back to region to date to continue the progress of the program. It has grown to the point where former students are now the teachers at the school set up in that region. It now educates over 1,300 Miskito Indians from 7 communities along the Rio Coco. 

Having formed relationships with local coffee farmers in Honduras, Michael and Laura export their coffee to their main shop in Vero Beach, Florida where they slow roast their coffee in small batches. Profits from their cafe sales go to pay the salaries of the teachers as well as other costs of running their program in Honduras. 

I've been really blown away by the kindness and dedication of some people to make such an impact on people's lives. I take for granted many of the luxuries we are afforded in modern society. And these are just a couple of the stories. We've met so many people who take their own time and resources to help others. It's a good feeling to know that there are people all over the world who are committed to doing good for others. It reinforces my belief that people are fundamentally good. And we are made to care for and want the best for each other.