At Last the Soap opera is over.
One of the most emotive and responded-to blog posts I have ever done was this one here, on the plight of the amazing farm Machacamrca. http://www.hasblog.co.uk/no-machacamarca-this-year
I did and update a few months back here http://www.hasblog.co.uk/machacamrca-update where things looked to be getting better
It was a truly sad event. The farm was taken from the family by the local community, in an unlawful land grabbing episode, which shocked the family and blew my mind that can happen in the modern world.
So this is in Lupe’s words
Dear Stephen,
Two weeks ago, I finally got the Community to agree to give back our Machacamarca house and land. Last week I finally entered the house as rightful owner, with the community present and -believe it or not- beaming and friendly as marshmallows. The truth is I got them almost to the point of going to prison for robbery and they were glad to come to an agreement, just to get out of their predicament. Nonetheless, the house was completely sacked and the land is overgrown with weeds. So sad.
I’m going back tomorrow to start the rebuilding process, and perhaps next week I can get a good look at the coffee plants, though I was told a large overflow from the community water tank,killed quite a few plants from being waterlogged. No coffee this year, but some small amount next year, and then better and better. I shall send photos next week, and keep you updated. I add a few photos from last week, to give you an idea of how things are, and the second picture is of me and our young and feisty attorney, raising our arms in victory.
In any case, we’re back, and back legally, winning out fight fair and square. I know you will be happy for us!
Lupe
BEST NEWS ALL YEAR !!!
This is a picture of the canopy I recorded my favortie in my mug from here
It’s a sad story and, as you say, amazing to think that this can happen in the modern world. Thankfully it sounds like a corner has been turned and they’ll eventually get back on their feet.
>> No coffee this year, but some small amount next year, and then better and better.
That’s the spirit… Good luck Lupe!
Wonderful news! Congratulations to Lupe. I expect that all the efforts to achieve this outcome will have been exhausting and that further massive efforts will be required to return the farm and house to good order.
I hope that Lupe knows that her effort are greatly appreciated and that many loyal customers are eagerly awaiting the return of this great coffee.
thanks Green Bean, I make sure they know how much people are thinking about them here every time I speak to her.
This is one of the most bittersweet things I’ve read on here. Bitter because they had to go through all that in order to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Sweet because… Machacamarca will rise again!
Perhaps add an additional few quid on each bag of this to be set aside to help them rebuild? I’m sure many of us wouldn’t mind an extra premium for charitable cause.
That’s an awesome idea Tom! Steve, you should do that. I wouldn’t mind paying extra for this coffee if it went into some kind of redevelopment costs for the farm.
I will talk to Lupe next week about this when I visit her (look at me bragging about my impending Bolivia trip)
Great news for Lupe at last!