Sarah Castagnola is an intern with Mercy Corps Indonesia in Takengon, Aceh Province.
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Indonesia July 3, 2011 7:23PM
Saving for the future, one coffee harvest at a time
Sarah Castagnola
Intern, Indonesia
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Rasunan is a board member of the Arinagata coffee cooperative, a third-generation coffee farmer and the father of two girls. Photo: Sarah Castagnola/Mercy Corps
Rasunan offered me a cup of coffee. The coffee was hot and thick with sugar. It was delicious. I visited Rasunan with Mercy Corps' Community Health and Investment for Livelihood Initiative (CHILI) staff. The staff is working with coffee cooperatives and communities in the Gayo Highlands of Aceh — a region famous for coffee production.
I learned Rasunan is a board member of the Arinagata coffee cooperative, a third-generation coffee farmer and the father of two girls. Rasunan recently added a new role to his busy life. In July, Rasunan will become a volunteer Financial Literacy Trainer for his village and his cooperative.
“In my community some people have only finished junior high school. I want to share knowledge with the community. Many people do not save and borrow money in between the coffee harvest,” explained Rasunan.