Bolivia

Apolo is an indigenous region of Northern Bolivia that had never commercially grown or exported coffee, until they began working with Wildlife Conservation Society and Cafe Kreyol in order to create a model of ecological preservation, and economic sustainable income. Cafe Kreyol works directly with 5 indigenous communities of Apolo, that speak a form of Quechua that predates the Incas.

One of the communities, Trinidad, is also known as Cafe Kreyol’s “cocaine for coffee” project. The producers of the Trinidad community, about 85% female, have transitioned totally from producing coca to coffee, and can be read about more in depth in the meet the farmer section below.