Juana López Ramírez’s Story – Woven with Faith

In a community where daily life is woven with challenges, Juana López Ramírez has stitched together more than just fabric—alongside her sisters, she has built a path toward economic independence and hope.

At 25, Juana lives with her parents and several siblings in a shared home, where teamwork and faith are the threads that hold everything together. For years, Juana and her sisters worked for a local woman, learning to weave by observing closely and practicing little by little. They wove by request, but often couldn’t afford to buy thread and had to borrow money—sometimes at high interest—just to keep going. Although they had the skills, they didn’t yet have a business of their own.

That began to change when they connected with the Women Entrepreneur Program (WEP) of Agros. With support from the program, they were able to purchase materials and their own loom—enabling them to launch a small, family-run workshop at home. What they found was more than just funding—they discovered an organization that offered practical training in small business management.

“The Agros credit officer taught me how to better manage my expenses. I learned to recognize small, unnecessary purchases—the so-called ‘silent spenders’—that were limiting my ability to save. We even realized we were at risk of falling into unnecessary debt.”

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For Juana, the mentorship, training, and financing provided by WEP have been transformational. Her income has increased, and the business is steadily growing. Today, the four sisters work together creating textiles, huipiles, sashes, and embroidered cloths. While they don’t yet have a storefront, their greatest dream is to one day open a space of their own where the business can continue to expand.

Most significantly, they have begun building a new two-story home—a long-held family dream that is slowly becoming a reality. With the income they’ve earned, they’ve bought a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a dryer—freeing up precious time to focus on weaving. Beyond financial progress, the change has brought Juana something even more meaningful: the ability to support her father, an elderly farmer with no fixed income. Now, part of what they produce also helps care for the person who once cared for them.

Juana expresses gratitude for every step forward. Her favorite Bible verse stays close to her heart: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” — Matthew 21:22. Each day begins with a prayer of gratitude—for life, for work, for her younger siblings’ education, and for the opportunity to move forward.

Known for her kind heart, Juana is also deeply involved in her community. She enjoys volunteering and currently supports a group of young people from low-income families. Her future goals are clear: to improve their home and create a space where the family’s business can continue to grow.

In every piece they weave, there is a story of resilience, unity, and living faith.

More Than Threads: How Juana Creates Opportunity and Community

From her home in the village of La Pista, Juana Raymundo is quietly transforming her family’s future – thread by thread. At 31 years old, she lives with her husband, Miguel Pérez, and their three children: Benjamín, Juan David, and little Marta Arelis. While the journey hasn’t been easy, Juana is building something steady through her skills, determination, and the support she has received.

She learned to weave at a young age, continuing a tradition passed down through generations. Today, with her own loom and her hands as her main tools, she creates products like blouses, scarves, and morrales—traditional woven bags popular in her region. Through WEP, she has accessed financial support to buy thread more consistently, without relying on high-interest loans.

In the past, she could only sell her products one at a time. Now, she’s able to sell by the dozen, reaching more people and earning a more stable income. As her production has grown, so has her ability to provide work for others—Juana no longer works alone. She now offers opportunities to others who help in her workshop, expanding the reach of her small business within the community.

Thanks to the training she’s received, she has also learned how to better manage her work and plan for the future. With part of her earnings, she invested in two cows, helping her diversify her income and support her household in new ways.

Although she still works from home, Juana dreams of opening her own clothing store—a space where she can display her products and welcome more customers. It’s a long-term goal, but she’s taking steady steps to get there.

With her loom as witness and her children as motivation, Juana weaves more than products—she weaves opportunity, perseverance, and community.

A Strong Start: César’s Story

At 55 years old, César Mendoza Urbina lives in the rural community of El Carmen 2, Nicaragua, with his wife, Oliveyda Abigail, age 30, and their two children – Cecia, 12, and Isaac, 5.

For years, the family faced crushing economic hardship. Their income barely covered food, often forcing them into debt. Their children wore patched shoes, and the family relied on a makeshift latrine covered with plastic sheets.

Despite his determination, César’s work as a farm laborer never provided stability. Even after becoming a field supervisor overseeing 18 workers, his wages were still not enough to meet his family’s needs. Every day was a struggle, with food often bought on credit and basic necessities out of reach.

No matter how hard he worked, César remained trapped in a cycle of debt and insecurity.

“I don’t want my children to endure the same hardships,” César says. “My dream is for them to finish school, to become professionals, and to have a better life.”

A New Chapter with Agros

In early 2024, César joined the Harvest of Hope Center program – and in just six months, his life has taken a dramatic turn. With Agros’ support, César planted tomatoes and peppers for the first time. He received seeds, tools, and training in modern farming techniques.

For the first time in his life, his work produced more than survival – it produced stability and progress.

• Before Agros, César earned $4.36 per day. Today, he earns $12.22 per day.
• His family’s per-person daily income has risen from $0.87 to $4.07.

This leap means his children now eat better, wear proper shoes, and attend school with dignity. The family even built their first proper bathroom and laundry area – something they had prayed for years to have.

“We give thanks to God because what we prayed for, He has fulfilled. That bathroom we dreamed of is now a reality.”

Restored Dignity, Renewed Hope

César is quick to point out that this is not charity – it is partnership. Agros has given César the tools to grow, but it is his dedication, faith, and perseverance that are driving his transformation.

“Even though we don’t see the donors, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” César says. “What you’re doing has changed our lives. May God bless you in return.”

Dreams for the Future

César now dreams of owning land where he can expand his farming, raise chickens and pigs, and build a secure home for his family. Above all, he wants his children to continue their education so they never know the hardships he endured.

“What we asked for in secret, God has rewarded in public. This project is proof of that.”

In less than a year, César’s life has changed from scarcity to stability. And with continued support, his journey will lead to prosperity, not just for him, but for generations to come.

Yubelkis and Ernesto Cárdenas – A Courageous Daughter and Her Determined Father

El Galope, Nicaragua

For years, Ernesto Cárdenas dreamed of a better life for his wife, Doribel, and their four children. With limited opportunities in his community, he even considered migrating to Costa Rica in search of work. His long days as a farm laborer left him unable to provide even his family’s most basic needs.

At home, debts from borrowing money to buy corn seed and other inputs weighed heavily. The future felt uncertain.

But everything began to change when Ernesto’s oldest daughter, Yubelkis, heard about Agros. She attended meetings with her aunt, where she listened to the story of Ulises Rigby—a farmer whose partnership with Agros had transformed his family’s life. Inspired, she returned home and convinced her father to join.

A Turning Point – In 2024, Ernesto and his family officially joined the Harvest of Hope Center (HHC) La Bendición. Together, Ernesto and Yubelkis began learning new techniques to grow vegetables in a protected mesh house and through hydroponic systems.

For the first time, they were not just laborers—they were entrepreneurs working their own land. With technical training, they applied modern farming practices that improved their soil, boosted yields, and opened access to new markets.

Their efforts soon bore fruit. Ernesto’s harvest exceeded expectations, strengthening the family’s income and stability.

Not long ago, each family member was surviving on less than one dollar a day. Today, with the chance to work their own land and embrace better farming practices, they have tripled their income. Each person now contributes over three dollars a day, and together the family earns nearly seven dollars in net income.

This transformation means so much more than numbers. It means the family has moved beyond mere survival. They can now put nutritious food on the table, dream bigger dreams, and open new doors of opportunity for their children.

But the transformation didn’t stop there.

Transformation Beyond the Field – Through Agros’ program to improve families’ living conditions, Ernesto and Doribel’s household received a new sanitary floor—giving their children a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment to grow up in.

For the family, this change was more than bricks and mortar. It was dignity restored—a daily reminder that their journey out of poverty is real, and that with each step forward, they are building a more hopeful future for their kids.

Agros’ holistic model has touched every corner of their lives:

• Health and hygiene training, helping the family meet key wellness indicators.
• Family life planning, guiding them to set long-term goals for growth and education.

For Ernesto, the change is not only financial—it’s deeply personal:

“Thank God, through this project we’ve been blessed with improvements to our home. We’ve been taught to be more organized and to come together more as a family. Education is something I will carry with me always.”

Looking Ahead – The Cárdenas family is filled with hope and vision:

• Expand their production and farmland.
• Support Yubelkis in her dream of studying agronomy at college.
• Build a safer, more beautiful home.
• Ensure all their children can pursue professional careers.
• Live with peace of mind, knowing their family will not lack what they need.

As Ernesto says:

“My dreams are to keep working more closely with Agros, to continue learning and teaching. To expand my land, build a nicer home, give everything to my children, and live with the peace and tranquility that my family lacks nothing.”

From hardship to hope. From landlessness to legacy. The Cárdenas family’s journey is proof that when rural families own land, access financing, and learn sustainable farming, poverty loses its grip.

Threads of Resilience: Margarita’s Journey from Survival to Strength

Every Coffee Lover’s Box shipment from Camano Island Coffee Roasters does more than deliver fresh, organic, fairly traded coffee to your doorstep—it helps transform lives. With every order, 2% is given back through our nonprofit partners, Agros and Food 4 Farmers. These organizations work hand in hand with coffee-farming communities, empowering families with the tools, training, and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.

This story, shared through our partner Agros, highlights the incredible resilience of Margarita Ramírez and her community in La Pista, Guatemala—showing how your daily cup of coffee is part of something much bigger.

Nestled in the upper highlands of Guatemala, just a short drive down a dirt road outside Nebaj, Quiché, lies the vibrant community of Ak’ Txumbal, also known as La Pista. This small village is bordered by a 1,200-meter gravel and dirt airstrip, a stark reminder of the region’s turbulent past during the armed conflict of the 1980s and ’90s. Today, La Pista stands as a testament to resilience and hope, embodied by women like Margarita Ramírez de León de López.

Margarita, now 61, grew up in La Pista, watching her mother weave güipiles—the traditional blouses worn by Indigenous women. Sitting at her mother’s side, Margarita learned each step of the intricate art, a skill that would later become her lifeline.

Life took a harrowing turn when violence swept through her village. As a young mother, Margarita fled into the forest with her firstborn, Juan, in her arms, escaping the chaos and bullets that threatened their lives. For years, they lived in hiding on the slopes of Q’osonib’ Mountain, enduring unimaginable hardships.

“We had no food or clothes,” Margarita recalls. “We used plastic bags on our feet instead of shoes. I would carry my son to the River Xajal to collect water, covering his mouth with my hand to silence his cries and avoid detection by soldiers.”

After the conflict, Margarita returned to the devastated remains of La Pista. Her mother, who had fallen ill and died on the mountain, left behind a legacy Margarita was determined to honor. She initially worked picking coffee, saving enough to buy a small plot of land. There, she began weaving güipiles and rebozos, carrying on her mother’s craft.

Two years ago, Margarita joined the Agros program, receiving financial support and training that transformed her business. She learned to manage credit for the first time, saved investment capital, and expanded her customer base. Her monthly income, once $195, has grown in both savings and clients, allowing her to support her family, including her husband Vicente and two granddaughters, ages 9 and 7.

Margarita is also an active member of her church group, contributing to the community’s social and cultural revival. Her journey from the depths of adversity to becoming a beacon of hope exemplifies the resilience and perseverance of La Pista’s women.

Margarita’s daughter, Juana, learned to weave at her mother’s side, just as Margarita had with her own mother. Together with her sister, Lucía, Juana creates güipiles and rebozos that sell for thousands of quetzales, preserving the cultural identity nearly lost to the conflict. “The güipil, the rebozo, and the cinta are part of our traditional dress,” Juana explains. “By wearing them, we help retain our identity as a people.”

Today, Margarita and her daughters are weaving a vibrant tapestry of hope and faith, transforming their tragic past into a future filled with promise for themselves and their community. Through their artistry and determination, they are central to La Pista’s reemerging identity, embodying the spirit of resilience that defines their people.

These women are part of the La Pista Group, a collective of 12 entrepreneurs who joined Agros programs two years ago and have distinguished themselves as leaders in their field. Their success has been remarkable compared to the standard of the more than 1,000 weaver-entrepreneurs in the area. They have improved the quality of their products, invested in modernizing their production processes, and enhanced their business and financial skills. Their achievements are a testament to what can be accomplished with determination, support, and a shared vision for a better future.

A special thanks to John Harrison, a friend of Agros, for capturing the beautiful photos and sharing the story of Margarita, Lucía, and Juana with us. His work helps bring their inspiring journey to life, allowing us to connect more deeply with their incredible resilience and hope.

Thank you for choosing coffee that not only tastes good, but also does good—supporting women like Margarita and families around the world through nonprofits like Agros..