Starting in May, we will be giving back 50¢ from each bag of our current Honduras coffee sold to support the MAMA Project. MAMA Project started in 1987 as a partnership between Pennsylvanian and Honduran women to address problems causing severe malnutrition in children.

In just a few weeks, our owner, Steve Hackman, will be heading over to assist on a health project with MAMA in Honduras. Keep checking back here for all sorts of updates! Steve will also be visiting many of the same coffee farms that Rob Altieri, our Lead Sales Director, recently returned from.

A delivery of raw materials to the project we are supporting in Otampa, Nigeria has enabled construction of the security wall around the community and education center to continue. Want to learn more about the ICEC2 Project? You’ll probably want to start at Zoe’s original blog post.

Quick update! Construction on the wall for the Education Center gets under way (pictured). High costs of raw materials for concrete halted the work temporarily until a place could be found to source materials for concrete at a reasonable price.

We delighted to report that work at the Education Center in Otampa is progressing well! The beginning of 2012 will see a large wall built around the complex to ensure the safety of students and staff. The wall will also provide protection to the property and additional projects, essential for the center’s future sustainability, such as the community garden.

The cassava crop (pictured being processed below) from the community garden has flourished since the installation of the well in 2011. These crops provide food to the local community as well as a viable source of income through sales of surplus crop on the market.

Processing the Cassava Crop like nobody's business

This final quarter of 2011 we will be supporting work on a sustainable community center model in Otampa, Nigeria. The Intercontinental Education Community Center aims to tackle adult illiteracy rates, low income levels and lack of house hold power through a series of projects including:

• Education to children grades K-12
• Adult training seminars (including entrepreneurship, malnutrition, gardening and composting)
• Solar energy-driven power installation
• Community garden projects
• Cassava crop production and preparation

Much progress has already been made. Dr. Emenike and Dr. Chidi Ukazim recently provided training and consultancy to assist workers with a 700 ft well for drnking and irrigation during the 6 month-long dry spell.  Speaking to OVC staff at a recent visit, Emenike and Chidi communicated the importance of supporting projects that create lasting change and fosters economic independence in the village. We are excited to be connected to this innovative project and will bring you updates as we offer continued support in 2012.

700ft well to meet drinking and irrigation needs during the dry season

In late October the One Village crew (It consists mostly of humans, as well as two dogs. And Rob.) took some time out to celebrate nature, each other and the beauty of Autumn leaves. We hiked The Pinnacle on the Appalachian Trail near Hamburg, PA. At some point the 8.5 mile loop turned into a 12 mile triangle. But that’s OK. Our advice is to consult the map in the parking lot before you head off, and, checking for ticks at the end will enhance the team bonding experience.

Just want to say a big thank you to the Whole Foods team at P Street in Washington D.C. Store customers were asked to vote on a name for the store’s new blend and select a local charity to benefit from a portion on the sales.

As part of our Local Village Series, One Village Coffee donated 50¢ from every bag sold of City Blossoms Blend towards City Blossoms; a non-profit organization that inspires communities and enriches the lives of children and youth through urban gardening projects.

City Blossoms' Stall at Whole Foods Market P Street