The impact of premiums
COOCAFÉ have established an educational fund with the use of Fairtrade premiums including those from Cafédirect, and other finances.
For some families, especially those with more than one child, costs associated with attending public schools, such as purchasing school supplies, notebooks and school uniforms, can be unaffordable. To assist with these costs, scholarships are offered to students who are dedicated to their studies but lack finances to do so. Fifty percent of the scholarship is a grant, the other fifty per cent is an interest free loan that is paid back by the student's family at the end of the year. This policy generates funds so future students can benefit as well.
University students from rural areas and those qualified in technical careers who want to upgrade their skills can also avail of scholarships. By training and offering educational opportunities to more people in rural areas, social and economic benefits are returned to the community.
The programme also helps to identify the needs of schools in rural areas and provides financial support for new infrastructure, teaching materials and equipment. Schools apply for funding for specific projects such as the purchase of teaching materials or the repair of old desks.
As well as this COOCAFÉ have used the premiums for a women’s project, healthcare and the establishment of an environmental fund; “Café Forestal” providing financial support for environmental projects
For more information on this and about COOCAFÉ please visit their website: www.coocafe.com