The Rebirth of Sonia
In the fertile lands of the La Botija mountains, the story of Sonia, a 46-year-old woman, intertwines with that of the place that opened its doors to her in a time of despair and hopelessness. When Sonia arrived at the San Lazaro Coffee farm six years ago, she had just left a farm where work had become scarce. With five children to feed and a husband also struggling to cope with the difficult economic situation, Sonia had to find a solution urgently.
Since she started working at San Lazaro Coffee Sonia has wholeheartedly committed herself to various tasks on the farm, from maintenance to harvesting, sorting, heavy lifting, and even learning to roast beans. She is one of our leaders and shows dedication in everything she does. Her efforts are evident not only in her work but also in the lives of her children. When she embarked on this new chapter, Sonia never imagined that her life would change so much for the better.
Thanks to her job, Sonia was able to secure educational scholarships for her five children at the Lazarus Academy. The scholarship, which covers transportation, books, other materials, and most importantly, education, has significantly eased the financial pressure they were facing. She often says with gratitude, “without this opportunity, none of my children would have been able to go to school,” since her income before was barely enough to cover the basics, much less to pay for school expenses.
Through her dedicated work and fair wages, Sonia has been able to purchase school uniforms, feed and clothe her children, and meet other household needs. Inspired by her example, her children have excelled as students. One of them has even discovered a passion and talent in our vocational school, allowing him to dream of a future where he can contribute to his family and community.
Beyond academics, the impact of San Lazaro Coffee on Sonia's spiritual life has been equally transformative. When she arrived, her knowledge of God was limited. She shares that she didn't even know how to pray, let alone speak publicly about the word of God. But thanks to the pastors of Mission Lazarus and the support of her co-workers, over the last few years she has grown spiritually. She now leads devotionals and has found a new dimension of her hope and faith. For Sonia, God’s love has become a source of strength that drives her to keep going, face adversities, and guide her children along the right path.
When you purchase coffee from our online store, you provide necessary income for Sonia and our other incredible female farmers. You are the reason they can feed their children and send them to good schools where they can dream for their own futures. Thank you so much for your support of our work. Every single bag of coffee purchased directly transforms the life of a woman and her family.
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