Higher Grounds Trading Company
Roasting 100% Fair Trade and Organic Handcrafted Coffees
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On the Ground is the non-profit division of Higher Grounds Trading Co. On the Ground oversees and administers projects in global development and advocacy. Empowering coffee growing communities and deepening their relationship with consumers and producers alike, On the Ground’s mission is to bring water, education, and healthcare to those without. See below for examples of our current project!
Run Across Ethiopia – Bringing Education to the Cradle of Humanity
In modern-day Ethiopia’s Yirgachefe region, where some of the world’s most unique and sought-after coffees originate, little more than half the region’s children complete primary school. The adult literacy rate is 36 percent. Life expectancy is 53 years.
On January 8, 2011, a small group of runners will run 400 kilometers across Southern Ethiopia as part of a campaign to generate awareness and funding for education. The Run Across Ethiopia aims to raise $100,000 for Ethiopian education projects, including the construction of schools in other coffee-growing communities. As money is raised, it will be used to fund education projects with our partners in Ethiopia.
Your Money at Work!
It’s not uncommon for students from poor families to arrive to school hungry, in Ethiopia or in any other country. It poses a very real obstacle to learning for children, especially for children of kindergarten age. Through the work of On the Ground, the 40 kindergarten students at the Old Sarum kindergarten enjoy a nutritious lunch every day.
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Chiapas Water Project – Appropriate Solutions to Combat the World Water Crisis
After witnessing the illness and poverty perpetuated by lack of access to potable water, Higher Grounds with the support of our local community members founded the Chiapas Water Project. Compelled to share the gift of clean water, the Chiapas Water Project was born in solidarity with the Mayan indigenous communities of Chiapas. Partnering with volunteers “on the ground”, all donations are used exclusively to build appropriate technology water systems.
Your Money at Work!
Serving 16 families with over 100 people in the community, this project brought fresh spring water 3.5 km to each home. Now, each member of the community does not have to walk up to an hour for their water. With the hard work of the community, we plugged in many of our 40 friends who came down to Chiapas with us over the month to help dig , carrying tubing, play music for the community, and document the struggle for water in Bachen. Today the community can open a faucet at each home to care for their daily water needs.
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