Coffee is the second largest export commodity in the world and it is one of Haiti's only exports, but since the collapse in the world coffee price, farmers have been selling their coffee at a loss. The price their families pay is hunger, a lack of education and limited if any medical supplies.

Oxfam is helping to set up co-operatives to enable the small scale growers to sell their coffee at a decent price. So far we have raised £141,000, including £37,000 from the Fairplay concert in London, UK.

But growing good beans is not enough. Oxfam also trains the growers in marketing methods so they can sell their specialtity coffees to the international market rather than relying on middlemen who profit from the growers' labour. By helping the Haitian coffee growers in these ways it is hoped that they will see a substantial improvement in their standard of living.

Julien Mistidor is a member of the Cooperative Sainte Helene Carice. For the first time, they are selling coffee direct to the European Fair Trade market, the latest stage in a long process which could mean greater prosperity for rural families in the poorest country in the Americas. Julien says,

"I've been in the co-op for twenty years. As far as price goes it's going quite well - the price the co-op is getting is much better. At first, before the co-op was set up, we would have to take out loans at very high interest in order to send the children to school. Now with the co-op we're getting something back. Now the coffee is worth something. Before, we didn't get anything, even after the harvest. 

I have nine children and all but the youngest are at school - if it hadn't been for the coffee and the co-op this would have not been possible. The co-op has helped my wife, our children and me with our health problems. We can store the harvest and be more secure in the knowledge that if we have any problems we can turn to the co-op for help, if we need a loan. It's helping us progress."

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