Somehow I feel like I've already been here for several weeks...in a good way. Day 1, Saturday, Robin, one of the founders of Iracambi took us on a tour of the grounds. Aside from the NGO and Research Center, Binka and Robin run a farm as well. Robin showed us areas where over the years they were able to reforest the land - some which worked well and some which were still struggling. We learned about the local farmers and how they were trying to get them to grow coffee in a more sustainable way.
The "We" I keep referring too is the group of volunteers I'm living with. There's Janet from the US, who just finished her degree in Accounting and Economic. There's Imran, from the UK, who has worked with several NGOs and is working as the new Community Coordinator at Iracambi. There's Tom, from Belgium, who is working on his internship, but hasn't quite figured out what he'll be focusing on. There is also Gui, who works at Iracambi. He is originally from São Paulo but found his calling out here working with the local communities of Limeira and Belisario, as well as handling most things at Iracambi, including the student programs.
Day 2 started bright and early at 6:15am when we packed back into Robin's Land Rover again and headed to the town of Belisario. The community there organized an Eco-walk, in part against the mining company that is trying to get the farmers to sell the mining rights to their land. There were speeches given by several members of the community, including Gui and we all hiked 4km waving white flags and singing to a local organic farm. Mass was then held and we all ate together - some of the best beans and rice I've ever had (probably all of the pork fat). Afterward, we walked back to the town where we shared several beers while sitting in one of the town squares while discussing the downfall of city living and politics.
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