Seed of Hope Coffee
The Challenge
In Northern Thailand, marginalized hilltribes, many of whom are stateless, struggle to integrate into Thai society due to cultural and language differences. These communities, often located in remote areas, have limited access to public services, including schools, contributing to low high school graduation rates. Only 69% of Thai children complete 12th grade, and those who drop out are more vulnerable to exploitation, such as labor or sex trafficking.
The influx of ethnic groups during the 1940s Chinese Civil War led to widespread opium cultivation in the region, especially in the Golden Triangle—where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Although Thailand banned opium in 1958, highland communities, largely impoverished and with few economic alternatives, continued to grow poppies. Government efforts to eradicate opium struggled due to limited resources and community resistance until 1985. “Since then, the Royal Project and relevant agencies have introduced more than 150 new crops to poppy growers, including arabica coffee, tea, cabbage, apple, and decorative flowers” (thiaembassy.org).
Today, Thailand hosts over 81,000 refugees from Myanmar, around 5,500 urban refugees from over 40 countries, and approximately 480,000 stateless people, highlighting the ongoing complexities in addressing statelessness and poverty among these communities (unhcr.org).
A Solution
Seed of Hope Coffee Company, based in Northern Thailand, collaborates closely with local farmers and the Seed of Hope Dormitory, which provides a safe living environment and education for children from remote villages, many of whom are at risk of exploitation. With approximately 90% of these children's families being coffee farmers, the company emerged to help them access better markets and fair prices for their products, replacing the previous opium economy.
The coffee company not only supports the dormitory’s mission but also creates seasonal job opportunities in coffee sorting and milling, aiding individuals transitioning from vulnerable situations. The coffee company seeks to sell roasted and green coffee both in Thailand and in the U.S. through P-rex Coffee Co., creating a sustainable market that benefits the entire community.
By purchasing parchment coffee directly from the families and offering resources for sustainable farming practices, Seed of Hope aims to break the cycle of poverty in the community. Seed of Hope Coffee Co actively seeks to uplift affected coffee farmers while fostering a generation equipped with strong work ethics and community involvement, ultimately enhancing both the quality of coffee and the lives of those it serves.
Business Activities Geared Towards Providing Quality Education, Economic Growth, Safe Communities and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources:
Target 4.1.P Work towards ensuring that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes ADAPTED: Work towards ensuring that individuals have access to quality education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
Target 4.4 Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship (Increase the number of youth and adults who have vocational and language skills needed to obtain employment and decent jobs.)
Target 8.5 Promote full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
Target 11.1 Promote access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
Target 12.2 Promote the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
Measured by:
Number of Training classes/seminars offered to understand sustainable farming each quarter.
Number of individuals who attended training/seminars.
Number of Trainings provided to employees to help understand sustainable farming and
coffee production each quarter.
Number of employees/community members who attended training each quarter.
Types of training and education provided for students in the Dormity each quarter.
Amount of parchment purchased from community families each quarter.
Amount of coffee produced off of the company farm each quarter.
Number of full-time, part-time, and temporary employees of the organization that are earning a local living wage or higher as of the end of the reporting period.
How much money flowed to this area that would not have otherwise without the project for economic growth.
Describe the construction plans/progress that occurred each quarter.
Number of students in the Seed of Hope Dormitory each quarter.
Describe and list the resources being cultivated/farmed each quarter at the dormitory.
Amount of vegetables and market value of these vegetables each quarter.
Area of land being cultivated with trees each quarter. (Coffee, Mango Longan Trees)
Amount of Coffee, Mangos and Longan produced and sold at market value each quarter.
Seed of Hope Coffee Company, based in Northern Thailand, collaborates closely with local farmers and the Seed of Hope Dormitory, which provides a safe living environment and education for children from remote villages, many of whom are at risk of exploitation. With approximately 90% of these children's families being coffee farmers, the company emerged to help them access better markets and fair prices for their products, replacing the previous opium economy.
What Does Your Donation Go Towards?
Building a shaded, multi-purpose work space (Approx. 20 x 20 meters) that can be used for many tasks in coffee production. ($25,000)
Helping pay the land off that the coffee mill and roastery is on so it is not a burden to the budget ($150,000).
Building a climate controlled storehouse for the green coffee beans ($7,500).
Updating the roastery with real windows (not just shutters) and good seals all around the doors and roofline in order to keep bugs and critters out, making it a more sanitary workplace ($5,000).
An air conditioner unit to the roastery so there is a comfortable workspace for all the hired help ($1000).
