Operation Groundswell’s “Brewing Justice” program goes deep inside the original Banana Republic where a lush fertile land conceals bitter fruit. From the bustling markets of Guatemala’s capitals to the smallholder farms of the highlands, we’ll explore Guatemala’s incredible landscape where land and livelihoods are intertwined and coffee and malnutrition go hand-in-hand. We’ll meet with producers in their fields, talk shop with retailers and get our hands dirty on community-based initiatives. We’ll immerse in highland culture and see how coffee gets from seed to shelf.

The combination of hands-on projects, cultural immersion, and adventure will challenge us to think critically about our next cup of coffee and how consumers can brew social justice. 

• Deconstruct the myths surrounding fair trade and ethical consumerism while cultivating coffee alongside local farmers in Sacatepéquez.

• Immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture and hear about its history from former guerrillas who have traded their guns for farming tools.

• Climb active volcanos, soak in mineral hot springs, and wade into sacred lakes while exploring Guatemala’s natural beauty up close and personal. 

After picking everyone up at La Aurora Int’l Airport in Guatemala City, we’ll take our orientation to the country’s former capital, Antigua. Here amongst the cobblestone streets and colonial arcades, the group can acclimatize to the sights, sounds, smells, and flavours of the region. Then, after a little team bonding, we’ll kick-start our exploration of the coffee chain by going seed to shelf with De La Gente, a sustainable agricultural cooperative based in neighbouring San Miguel Escobar. There on the slopes of Volcán Agua, we’ll stretch our legs and learn from founding members Filiberto and Timoteo how to pick, process, and roast our own coffee. To cap off our time in Antigua, participants can scavenge ingredients in the local markets and prepare a proper Guatemalan dinner complete with tortillas and guacamole. 

In the ladino and indigenous metropolis of Xela, we’ll join revolutionary-turned-reformer Willie at Café La Red Kat for a delicious meal and an insightful chat about the challenges facing small- scale farmers, and their struggle to integrate into the new socio-economic order. We’ll also connect with Fair Trade outfit Yabal and scavenge the colourful markets in what is considerate Guatemala’s premier vegetable growing region.

BUT no visit to Quetzaltenango would be complete without a trek to one of the country’s iconic peaks! This year, we’ll get an early start and make our way to the Siete Orejas (literally “seven ears”). After pushing ourselves up ridges and scrambling down the valleys, we’ll summit the Cacique Dormido, a now dormant volcano. And if we’re super lucky, we might even see nearby volcán Santiaguito erupt! 

After a traditional Mayan dinner and dance with Xela-based partner Escuela La Paz, our group will journey north-west through the Guatemalan Highlands to the community of Santa Anita, where we will work with a coffee cooperative founded by former civil war combatants. We will stay in local homes, share meals, exchange stories, and build solidarity. We will also collaborate on the construction of the community’s new beneficio (or mill) where their coffee will be washed, depulped, fermented, dried, and sorted. 

We will conclude our adventure at Operation Groundswell’s Guatemala Hub, located on the shores of beautiful Lago Atitlan. Here, we’ll rest our tired legs and weary minds and reflect back on our incredible journey. We will discuss lessons learned, assess our impact, and prepare for the journey home.

Finally, with hearts full of memories, we will return to Guatemala City where our group will say a fond farewell!