How You Can Help

Victim assistance involves more than simply providing someone with an artificial limb. Full rehabilitation requires a comprehensive and holistic approach to services and support.  Victims of conflict from the coffeelands that the Trust can assist come to us different levels of need.  Some have already received an artificial limb, but have not been able to get back into work and community life. Others are recently injured and need assistance with everything.

You can contribute toward a Micro-Grant for economic development, and assist someone to start a business, expand or improve an existing business, send their children to school, or learn a new trade. Look through the Profiles of People Affected by Landmines and contribute toward their Micro-Grant.

You can contribute toward the cost of providing Mobility Aids such as artificial limbs, wheelchairs or bracing and assist people to become active again.

Or you can contribute toward Emergency Services that provide emergency surgical care, physical rehabilitation therapy and reconstructive surgery for stump revision sometimes necessary for fitting a prosthetic device. Many individuals may need psychological services for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of stepping on a landmine.

Funding for landmine victim assistance is scarce and pales in comparison to the financial resources devoted to mine removal and mine risk education. The stigma of disability, the complexity of rehabilitation services, and the ambiguity of who is going to support and advocate for victims are only a few reasons as to why victims assistance receives so little money and attention.

In addition to suffering limb, sight or hearing loss, many people lose their livelihoods; they can no longer participate in community life and experience feelings of worthlessness.  Landmine victims who receive a full range of rehabilitation services have a greater chance of recovery. There are countless examples of individuals throughout the world who have not only overcome their experience as a landmine victim, but have prospered economically, moved into leadership roles within their communities and national government and even become deeply involved in the various elements of Mine Action so other landmine victims can learn from their experiences.

The Coffeelands Trust is a unique in several ways.  Small and large coffee producers, distributors, roasters, retailers, and local indigenous coffee cooperatives are supporting the Trust.  Coffee consumers are part of the Trust as they connect to the people who are truly responsible for their getting them their daily cup of coffee.

Another unique aspect of the Trust is that its mission is to help people to help themselves. We ask the people who are the victims of landmines to articulate what they need and how they can best be supported. We enable victim’s voices to be heard through The Coffeelands Trust website and to describe how they can help themselves with your financial contribution. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, coffee farmers and coffee communities in developing countries reflect a deep respect for the environment, work hard and take great pride in producing that which goes into a great cup of coffee. There is often a spiritual connection to the land and the crops they grow. To them, landmines are not only an affront to human beings, but to “Mother Earth” and these deadly devices affect us all no matter where we live.

The Coffeelands Trust is not a charity. It is a means of giving back to coffee farmers and workers who are victims of conflict - of reciprocating and offering thanks for the coffee that we drink each day, for teaching us through example to have a deep reverence for the land and for their willingness to share their personal experiences with us so that we can benefit from their knowledge.

• Donations will be used to help victims of conflict – not only people who have suffered limb loss but those who in any way have been impacted by war and conflict.
• Funds will address a wide range of economic development and rehabilitation initiatives – such as prosthetic services, physical rehabilitation services, economic demonstration projects and business start-ups.
• Funds will be used to help create and sustain valued social roles in coffee regions around the world.
• Projects we support will help people to help themselves and must be sustainable.
• Implementation will be done by the groups themselves. We encourage inclusion of victims in the planning, implementation, and governance of all projects.