A few evenings ago I had the opportunity to attend a free public event at "the Living Room of the community"— The Library! The chairs were gathered around the big screen TV and people from all walks of life merged, all we needed was popcorn!
The documentary was called Strong Coffee
This was an evening organized by the Multicultural Department of Mission Community Services in partnership with the Library. "Making the Arts Connection" is a series that helps to bring in more awareness of multicultural and anti racism ideals through the Arts, thru"Books and Films that make a difference" and People's Choice. This evening was another shining example of how co-operation can happen and is happening between organizations here in Mission. Here is the gallery of pictures by www.gaiapix.com
Tonights show was terrific. Although I had watched it before, the movie was better the second time round. This movie is a documentary on how empowering women to earn money helps the community in general. By assisting them to buy land in Peru for a coffee farming business they actually helped end domestic violence and oppression. Dave, owner of Grab-a Java introduced the movie.
This coffee shop is located just below the Leisure Center, providing free trade coffee called Cafe Femenino that is now a global organization helping empower women all over the world. This makes Grab-a Java is an international community hub right in the center of town.
400 billion cups of coffee are consumed a year, as we become more conscious as consumers, perhaps we should know what goes on and where our dollar is going. The farmers work 10-12 hours a day in harvest time for our leisure!
The Beans are of the highest quality and 2% above the fair trade market value is pocketed by the women owners. When the money goes into the hands of the women there, the money goes into the family and not to alcohol, the kids are clothed and fed and there is more harmony in the community in general. The women now are branching out to other crops and ways to work in teamwork beside their husbands, not behind. The men in the film were speaking about how happy they are now that their wives have been able to be self assured and full of self respect. Domestic violence is a topic close to Dave’s heart for had experiences his in childhood first hand. So, when this business opportunity came to him, he jumped at the chance to make a difference.
Pam Willis, Executive Director of Women Resource Society of the Fraser Valley http://www.wrsfv.ca , moderated the discussion following and told of her gratefulness to the Cafe Femenino Coffee sales because a percentage of the profits goes to help women here in this community. This, then, becomes a global model of people helping people. Some of the lessons learned there could help us balance our lives here. So when you buy this supreme quality coffee you can relax and leisurely enjoy it, assured of the benefits you are giving to others to make this world a better place.
We have a lively discussion afterwards and Kusum Soni, the Multicultural Services Coordinator was impressed about how close Peruvian costumes and appearance were to northern India costumes. She said even the faces showed such similarity. There were a couple of us homeschooler mums there ready to do some more research about this and our kids walked away with a great impression of the good things that are being done in the world right here in our own little town.
The next evening is Making the Arts Connection - Richard Van Camp
Thursday, Feb 4th
6:30pm-8:30pm
First Nations author Richard Van Camp is a renowned storyteller and prolific author from the Dogrib (Tlicho) Dene community, Fort Smith, NWT. He will present his work and culture in his usual engaging, thought-provoking, and humourous way.
Photo by Mission Diamond Photographer: Gerhard von Rosen
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