In the warm and sometimes relentless sun of Playarrica, a municipality in the southern part of the department of Tolima, Luis, a 15-year-old boy, works with the tenacity that only comes in the face of adversity. His life has been a journey of struggle and hope, marked by a family tragedy and an unwavering determination to build a better future through his coffee brand, Juan Velázquez.
A Past of Pain and Responsibility
Luis was born in 2009 into a context of challenges and hardships. From an early age, his life was marked by the violence that plagued his community. The most painful tragedy came when his father was murdered in a brutal act of violence, leaving Luis and his family extremely vulnerable. The loss of his father was not only a devastating emotional blow, but also meant the burden of supporting his family and the farm his father had worked on for years.
A Present of Hard Work and Shared Dreams
Today, this young dreamer faces each day with unwavering determination. His workday begins at 6:30 a.m. and runs until 5:00 p.m., juggling work and schoolwork, under the blazing sun and in conditions that challenge both his physique and endurance. He understands that coffee harvesting is a task that requires constant effort and faces hazards like rocks and thorns. Luis protects himself with a mask, but even so, the work is arduous and fraught with risks.
But in this daily struggle, Luis is not alone. His friend and business partner, Juan Pablo, shares his vision of a better future. Luis and Juan Pablo met at school, in the same tenth grade they are currently in. Although both young men share the same goal of advancing in their studies and their entrepreneurship, their circumstances are very different. Luis has the advantage of having a motorcycle, which makes his daily commute to school easier. In contrast, Juan Pablo must walk for hours to get to class, a feat that further underscores his commitment and dedication.
Luis and Juan Pablo have founded Juan Velázquez, a coffee brand that represents not only an economic opportunity but also a way to honor Luis's family legacy. The brand's name is a meaningful combination. Juan Velázquez is the result of the fusion of Juan Pablo's first name and Luis's last name. This combination not only symbolizes the collaboration between two friends but also reflects the union of their efforts and dreams in a common project.
They formed the Tony Campo Association, made up of young people and mothers from the community, as a crucial step in obtaining support and resources. The association is a vehicle for accessing modern machinery, an essential necessity for transforming the coffee production process. Luis has requested machinery from the government, such as threshers, roasters, grinders, graters, sealers, and de-cherrying machines, in the hopes of improving the efficiency and quality of the coffee.
In the process, they have learned to manage the challenges of packaging and labeling their coffee, areas they must finance themselves. Although they have considered opening a small coffee shop in the town of San Antonio to promote their product and connect with the community, time is a significant obstacle. Luis divides his time between studying, working on the farm, and managing his business. He also now dreams of studying agronomy to acquire more technical knowledge and improve his farm management skills.
A Future of Opportunities and Growth
The future is full of promise for Luis and Juan Pablo. The machinery they hope to receive through the Tony Campo Association and the support of the governor's office represents a crucial opportunity to scale their production and industrialize their coffee processing. This will not only allow them to improve the quality of their coffee, but also increase their production capacity and market access.
Luis continues to face challenges with an optimistic and resilient attitude. Every coffee bean he harvests and every step he takes in the development of Juan Velázquez are testaments to his strength and determination. The farm, once a symbol of his loss, has become a vehicle to build a brighter future for him and his family.
Through his brand, Luis not only seeks to transform his life and that of his family, but also to contribute to the development of his community. With each cup of coffee he produces, Luis weaves a story of overcoming, hard work, and hope that inspires everyone who hears his story.
In the coffee fields, these young people continue to work with a vision of a future full of opportunities. Through Juan Velázquez, they strive to offer a quality product, improve their situation, and, above all, honor the memory of Luis's father, transforming their grief into a force for change and growth.
Written by: Sonia Osorio C.
