Coffee Stories

Rooted in Resilience: Norma’s Story from Guatemala

How women in Sequixquib are building economic opportunity together with support from The Starbucks Foundation.
Coffee Stories
Woman holding a package in front of a group of people outdoors

Uplifting communities beyond coffee

The Starbucks Foundation is committed to positively impacting the lives of 1 million women and girls in coffee, tea, and cocoa-growing communities around the world by 2030. Through partnerships with nonprofits, the Foundation supports initiatives that promote women’s leadership, access to education and health, and economic resilience.

Since 2018, more than 40 grants totaling $14 million have been awarded to nonprofit organizations across 17 countries. These grants focus on women’s empowerment and access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)—creating long-term impact in origin communities.

A group of women and children sitting together in a room.A group of women and children sitting together in a room.
Two women sitting at a table with money and documents in a dimly lit room.Two women sitting at a table with money and documents in a dimly lit room.

Strength from within: Women leading change in their communities

In the rural village of Sequixquib, Guatemala, a group of women are reshaping what’s possible for themselves, their families, and their community. Norma is a mother and coffee farmer. And now – after participating in Mercy Corps’ program supported by The Starbucks Foundation, she is the leader of a group of Mayan indigenous women who are building businesses and expanding economic opportunities—on their own terms.

What started as a small gathering grew into a 32-member collective of mothers committed to building financial literacy and local change. Together, they learned about savings, loans, and access to financial services—paving the way for investments in nutrition, health, education, and small businesses.

Lighting the way: Launching a candle-making business

Recognizing the need for safe, reliable light in homes without electricity, Norma and her group launched a candle-making business. With seed funding and training in entrepreneurship, business planning, market analysis, and sustainability, they built a small enterprise from scratch. Norma manages inventory and sales, and the group reinvests their earnings to expand production and reach.

Woman melting wax to create candles.Woman melting wax to create candles.
A group of women holding their candles as part of their candle-making business.A group of women holding their candles as part of their candle-making business.

Nourishing her community: New skills, new income

Norma also learned how to make and preserve nutritious foods like jams and canned foods—skills that have helped nourish local families and opened up new income streams. Through these programs, she’s not only feeding her community but changing norms in her community that support other women to do the same.

“This has helped us a lot and has given us hope to get ahead. Women—not only men—can work, and if it is in a group, even better.”
– Norma

Efforts like Norma’s are part of a larger movement of women across coffee- and cocoa-growing communities who are organizing, leading, and driving local change.

Support women in origin communities

The Starbucks Foundation believes that when women thrive, communities thrive. Your daily coffee routine helps support women like Norma—who are already transforming their communities from the inside out.

Starbucks Single-Origin Guatemala Antigua coffee bag on a green background.

Starbucks Single-Origin Guatemala Antigua

Starbucks Single-Origin Guatemala Antigua

Medium RoastWhole Bean

CocoaBaking Spice

From $14.95
From $14.95

Discover this smooth coffee that celebrates Guatemala’s Antigua Valley

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