Updates from Finca T

Since our last update in May, much has happened on our family farm, Finca Terrerito, in Honduras. We are extremely proud to announce that the school has officially been in session for half a year. In that time, 28 students have enrolled in the program. This is a huge deal considering that most children in Honduras are not afforded the same opportunities as are being provided to those at our family farm and in the neighboring village of El Caltatato. When beginning the school build, the leaders of Finca Terrerito knew they were doing something that would make a monumental difference.   

The Learning Environment and Curriculum 

Escuela Rural Mixta Terrerito Matiak Foundation (ERMTMF) is different from most schools in its focus. ERMTMF is focused most on teaching practical learning. The goal is to set the students up for success when they leave the school. Many will enter the workforce as farmers, much like their parents. There are currently a few initiatives to teach these practical skills. One of these initiatives includes the kids managing and taking care of a greenhouse on-site where they farm radishes, lettuce, and other vegetables. These basic skills in horticulture teach them how to plant, care for, and then enjoy the fruits of their labor. This harvest will be enjoyed in the brand-new kitchen we are working to build specifically for the school.  

Currently, meals for the students are prepared in a common kitchen shared by Finca T, but during the busy harvest season, that’s not going to be an option. With more than 250 coffee pickers on the farm, the kitchen will be overcrowded and not suitable for a proper learning environment.  To solve this, the school has begun building its own kitchen and dining area, creating a dedicated space where kids can enjoy their meals outside of the classroom. This new facility will serve as a dedicated eating environment for the children and will provide a break in between sessions for the kids to socialize and take a mental refresh.   

Another learning initiative the school has implemented is tree planting. Upon joining the school, each of the students planted a tree that they must nurture until their graduation. Not only is this an extraordinary lesson on planting and the patience that comes along with the skill, but there is tangible evidence of their hard work that will be around for years to come. From this project, the students are learning how to nurture and take care of something that will continuously yield profit, whether it be monetarily or nutritionally. The students are taught the value of their crops and how to adequately price their product to ensure that both parties benefit from the sale. Furthermore, the nurturing of the tree teaches the devastating effects of climate change, diseases, and losing crops to the elements. While this is one of the hardest lessons for the students to learn, it is one of the most integral lessons we must all learn in life: how to bounce back from our negative experiences. 

 

The Playground  

Now, as we all know, school isn’t just all learning, a kid has got to play! That’s why Matiak Foundation and Finca Terrerito recently built a playground for the kids to enjoy with the money received from a large donation by Swift and Finch. You may be thinking, “A school with a playground? What’s the big deal?” Well, the big deal is that there are currently no other schools in the surrounding areas that have the same facilities available to the kids as at Finca Terrerito. Playgrounds provide more than just a much-needed break for students, but also promote a positive learning environment. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between daily unstructured play and an improvement in academic performance, behavior, motor skills, and concentration. The playground gives the students access to an outlet that would not be provided to them any other way and sets them up for success inside and outside of the classroom.  

The Well 

Can you imagine not having access to water whenever you want it? According to a 2022 assessment, roughly 35% of Hondurans have no access to clean water. For the neighboring village of El Caltatato, this is their reality. Alongside Matiak Foundation, Finca T helped create a well leading to the main village. This is a huge blessing for the surrounding community. No longer will they have to take long treacherous treks from one village to the next to collect clean water, or drink unclean water from the creek nearby. Now, the community in El Caltatato has access to clean, potable water. The water station is managed by the farm and the village leader to maintain its cleanliness and to control the usage.    

Furthering Education 

Education isn’t just for the kids at Finca T. Recently, a group from Cuba has partnered with ERMTMF to teach literacy to adults in the village. Finca T was tasked with identifying eight adults who cannot read or write and is providing transportation for them to attend literacy classes every Saturday. A recent study shows that, “In the rural countryside, the illiteracy rate is greater than 80 percent.” The illiteracy rates are an epidemic in the nation of Honduras, so much so that at the farm we must run payroll via thumbprint. This is because the majority of coffee pickers do not know how to read or write.  

These are just a few reasons that the leaders at Finca Terrerito have decided to open the school as a hub for adult education. The goal of hosting classes at ERMTMF is to ensure that one day everyone in the community will be able to read and write. This incredible initiative started on October 5 and is a testament to Finca T’s commitment to lifelong learning.  

Looking Forward 

The school’s progress hasn’t gone unnoticed. Coffee entrepreneurs and exporters often travel to see what’s happening at ERMTMF. Many are inspired by the school’s mission and how it’s making a positive impact on future generations. In fact, a lot of coffee farming friends in other countries are studying the concept to see how they can do similar initiatives in their own hometowns. By encouraging others to follow in their footsteps, Finca T hopes to set an example of how education and community development can go hand in hand. 

In the community, ERMTMF has made a name for itself. From participating in national Independence Day parades to celebrating local heroes, Finca T students have been involved in town events. Two children were even recognized for their outstanding achievements in state-level math and reading competitions. The school is quickly becoming a proud symbol of excellence, not just for its students but for the entire region. The potential for Escuela Rural Mixta Terrerito Matiak Foundation and all the students who attend is boundless. This is all thanks to YOU! Your constant support of our little coffee shop in the woods has helped us to make our dream of accessible education in Honduras possible. Our dream is only just beginning. Below we have linked a few resources for those or those of you who are interested in keeping up with the school or who are looking to make a donation to the cause. Choose between donations of $25 for school supplies, $150 for breakfast and lunch everyday for one student, $500 to pay a teacher's salary, set up recurring payments, or make a one-time donation. Even if it's just a dollar, your donation goes a long way!

If you’re looking for a more unique way to support and further our mission, check out Matiak Foundation’s upcoming fundraiser event, Grit for a Cause. Matiak Foundation has partnered with Grit Life Fitness to put on a competitive, timed team workout event designed to challenge your limits. The event will be held on October 26th at Grit Life Fitness. All proceeds will go to Matiak Foundation and their efforts towards creating accessible resources for education and bettering the lives of our farmers and their families in Honduras.