Waterloo Fair Trade

Roberto, born and raised in Guatemala, had for several years been involved with Ajb'atz' Enlace Quiché, a Guatemalan non-profit organisation dedicated to helping the indigenous people of Guatemala, before setting up a market stall five years ago. “I saw coffee and Xocolat as an opportunity for me to help impoverished Guatemalan communities, but also as a way to reach out and tell more people about the program,” he said.

Michael Magee, a former financial accountant at the University of Sydney, has volunteered to take on the program for a year, teaching English and computer literacy in Guatemala. “I met Roberto at the markets, but it wasn't until I came to the café that I was convinced I had the chance to see another world and really help people, so I had to do it.”

Traveling from market to market, Mayan Coffee and Xocolate came to Dank Street only 10 weeks ago. “After 5 years of doing the markets I felt I could further help the indigenous people in Guatemala, as well as offer people here a genuine experience of South America.”

The sensory ensemble of colourful hand-woven tapestries, indigenous sculptures, live music and traditional Central and South American cuisine combine to offer a truly exotic experience, while the staff will sit and chat with you like guests in their own home. Every week on Friday and Saturday nights the café serves up an authentic banquet from a different Central or South American nation, employing chefs and musicians from each culture, with a plan to finish the culinary tour with an indigenous Australian night in early August.

“When you consider Australians spent just $146,000 on Fair Trade products in 2003 – the year Fair Trade labeling began in Australia – it shows how Australian consumers have embraced Fair Trade,” said Steve Knapp, director of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ).

Last year Australians spent $11.7 million on Fair Trade products and this year their expenditure is expected to top $20 million. If you happened to miss out on last month’s Fair Trade Fortnight celebrations and the Fair Trade Fiesta, organised by FTAANZ, head down to the Mayan Coffee and Xocolate cafe and check out how good helping people can taste.