Fabiola Tombe is President of the
Association of Women Coffee Producers of Cauca (AMUCC) in Colombia.
This
association was founded in 2007 by a group of women coffee producers. Their
aspiration was to enable women to grow their businesses and improve their
family income by bringing housewives and heads of the household to work
together on their coffee farms.
While at first many men objected to the idea that their wives could
become independent producers, the women’s sheer determination put an end to
these objections.
And with the support of the Fairtrade certified cooperative
CAFICAUCA, AMUCC became Fairtrade certified in 2010.
“It is important that women never
stop promoting the processes that bring dignity to women and changes within
their communities. The major changes are not made in large cities, with much
debate. The big changes are born in communities, with ordinary people. For this
reason, it is vital that leaders continue to work for and within their
communities” explains Fabiola.
In a region hit hard by the aftereffects
of armed conflict, forced displacement of communities, migration of men to
cities and a lack of job opportunities, the participation of women in coffee
cultivation has grown.
“We
are single, widowed, displaced or married women. Even if men are indispensable, we want to contribute
to the economy of our families. We have two jobs: the home and our farms.”
Cassidy may be tiny, but what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in spirit.
The courageous little kitten was saved from certain death earlier this month by the Canada-based rescue group, Tiny Kittens Society. When Cassidy was discovered in a feral cat colony in British Columbia, both his back legs were missing, possibly accidentally chewed off by his mother after birth. Despite his painful injuries, however, he persisted nine weeks until help finally arrived.
“It is a medical miracle that he survived even a day with such severe injuries, let alone nine weeks,” Cassidy’s saviors wrote on Facebook. “His little body had just about given out from starvation and infection by the time we rescued him, but he never gave up!”
Although Cassidy was now out of harm’s way, the good folks at the Tiny Kittens Society knew that in order for him to lead a happy and fulfilling life, it was essential that he be able to get around on his own. So, they enlisted the help of engineers at Handicapped Pets Canada, a company that specializes in making mobility devices for pets with disabilities.
Using a 3-D printer, they were able to create a special little wheelchair that perfectly fit Cassidy’s pint-sized frame — allowing the amputee kitten to take his very first steps.
Cassidy still has a long road ahead of him before he’s adopted out into a forever home, but thanks to all the kind people helping him along the way — and his new set of wheels — we have no doubt he’ll get there.
Brock Turner: Guilty of rape. Received 6 MONTH sentence. The judge worried how he would fare in prison, noting a lack of prior crimes.
Brian Banks: NOT guilty of rape (accuser admitted lying). He received a 6 YEAR sentence. No judge considered how he would fare in prison, and his record was clean.
[Lazarus the cat back from the dead and better than ever/Facebook]
This faithful feline is returning the favour to his injured owner after being saved from dying in the freezing cold.
Last winter the Bingham family was enjoying a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday away at their cabin in Bearlake, UT, when they unexpectedly found a small kitten buried underneath a foot of freshly fallen snow.
The poor kitty was thought to be frozen stiff, but was then miraculously brought back to life after being given miniature CPR next to a warm fireplace.
The Bingham family decided to adopt this lucky feline, fittingly named after the biblical figure Lazarus, and he apparently never stopped being grateful for his second lease on life.
Looking to return the favour, Lazarus the Frozen Kitten has become a loving member of the Bingham family, and devotes his full attention towards making sure everyone is okay.
At least that’s what Branden Bingham found out after recently breaking his leg while spending an afternoon with his children at a local skate park.
After returning home after a night spent in the hospital receiving surgery, Bingham was greeted by Lazurus, who immediately jumped into his owner’s lap and started purring.
Lazarus now makes it his mission to comfort Bingham while he recovers from his injuries by never leaving his side. He currently spends his days providing comfort to his injured friend by sleeping, purring and occasionally getting in the way of Bingham’s laptop screen.
