Timor Atsabe

Our coffee comes from Atsabe village in the mountainous Ermera district, southwest of the capital, Dili. The beans are spicy with slight acidity and chocolate tones. We pioneered Direct Fair Trade in East Timor, creating a relationship with Atsabe in 2009. This insures that our profit-sharing and development monies go directly to the farmers.

The independent coffee farmers of East Timor struggled for years against Indonesian rule, and won their freedom peacefully. During that time, we provided funds for democratic organizing by pro-independence groups. At the farmer�s request, we are now funding needed rural maternal health clinics in the coffee areas, staffed totally by Timorese, and supporting Atsabe�s schools and youth programs (computers and soccer!).

Education Support (2012-ongoing)

• providing computers, computer training, school supplies, and language instruction to school children
• Funding commitment to date: $7,500

Past Projects

Atsabe Village Empowerment (2009)

• Forged first direct coffee industry relationship with a village in the country
• Allowed villagers to share in development and bred accountability
• Promoted sustainability and improved standard of living

Soccer Ball Project (2009)

• Provided 200 fair trade soccer balls for President's Youth Anti-Violence initiative
• Gave young Timorese their first insight into progressive business and hope

Recording Studio (2009)

• Worked to establish a recording studio for Timorese musicians
• Also worked toward a farmer-owned and -operated cafe/roastery

Make Coffee Not War (2009)

• Spread knowledge of how the world coffee communities operate

Medicine for Rural Clinics (2004)

• Distributed medicine to doctors and paramedics 
• Funding commitment: $5,000