That's how it all started...
The story of Welttisch begins at Christmas time in December 2022 with a long journey to the other side of the world.
We, Jannick & Laura, traveled to faraway Colombia. The plan was to have a big family vacation where our families would finally get to know each other in person and from which so much more would emerge.
Before we continue, a few words about us:
We are a young, German-Colombian team. Laura is from Colombia, Jannick from Germany. We met in Bogota, Laura's hometown, in 2019. Over time, a holiday acquaintance turned into true love, which helped us overcome some obstacles. We have been living together in beautiful Hamburg for 2021. Due to the effects of COVID, our families had no chance to get to know each other beforehand.
And this is where the story of Welltisch begins with the aforementioned journey.
One day we took a day trip near Bogota to visit the Choachí waterfall. We were fascinated by the beauty of nature, the breathtaking, green mountain landscape in the middle of the Andes. Deeply touched by this, the seed was planted for the idea of one day being able to start a project in such a place. This idea would become more concrete over the course of the trip, on other unforgettable excursions.
We met interesting people, learned about the possibilities of growing coffee, cocoa, tropical fruits, etc. and we got to know and appreciate some of these hard-working “campesinos” (farm workers).
What particularly captivated us was the possibility of a fresh start and the breathtaking view:
Not everything that glitters is gold..
And beauty at first sight can often be deceptive. Since we had plunged headlong into the adventure of a "coffee plantation in Colombia", many questions arose after the purchase and when the project started:
- What should be considered when growing?
- What fertilizer is available or can I do without it?
- What different coffee plants are there and which ones work in our microclimate?
- How do we find experienced workers to help?
In our search for answers, we learned a lot from our neighbors and the many coffee farming families in the region. And we realized that the beauty of rural coffee farming in Colombia also has its dark side. We learned
- of difficult individual fates;
- of beautiful places that have been left to themselves due to a lack of prospects and have become neglected over time;
- of loneliness and isolation of the rural population;
- of avoidable environmental pollution due to lack of knowledge & alternatives
- of generally very difficult living conditions for the vast majority of farm workers and families of coffee farmers
Many people in the countryside are old, left behind by children and families who moved to the city due to a lack of prospects. And so they toil away day in and day out, sometimes at an advanced age of over 80. With broken knees, but with an impressive willpower, born out of love for their country.
It quickly became clear that our project could not be limited to our own finca. We also wanted to help many other families to build a livable and long-term sustainable future.
We will unite our wishes in the Welttisch project, whose heart is the Finca “La Macarena”. Because one thing is clear: With the current trend,
In recent years, many fincas have grown coffee, cocoa and other staple foods
There will be no more cultivation. And then...?
Our goals:
-
Showing unknown sides of Colombia
away from drug trafficking and problems:
Diversity, breathtaking landscapes and people. We want to be your gateway to the world of coffee in its country of origin, Colombia. We want to give you an in-depth look behind the scenes and thus create a strong connection between you and the place of origin. The transport medium: coffee
-
Preserving Diversity & Beauty
Colombia is the country with the greatest biodiversity on earth
This should be preserved for the world and not destroyed by mismanagement, deforestation and other problems. On the contrary: we want to ensure more biodiversity, bit by bit. Coffee cultivation can help with this if it is done correctly. Away from monocultures and towards a coffee forest with many different plants.
-
Giving "Campesinos" a face
the Colombian coffee farmers
provide the necessary recognition and remuneration for their hard work, which remains invisible to most people. This should sustainably improve their living conditions and, above all, create new prospects for young people in rural areas.The great thing about it: With every sip of coffee you help to make these dreams come true. Sit back, relax, enjoy your coffee and make a difference at the same time!
In short:
We want to create a direct and long-term connection between you and the coffee producers in the country of origin. A connection that everyone benefits from. You through increased enjoyment and really high-quality coffee, the coffee farmers through appreciation and a self-determined future, and the environment through the freedom this gives producers to make cultivation more and more sustainable, bit by bit. So that everyone involved, from the coffee farmer to the consumer, can enjoy their coffee in the long term!
A little more history: The past of "La Macarena"
Our coffee plantation "La Macarena" perfectly combines the above mentioned beautiful & sad sides:
It is located in the coffee zone of Colombia, in the foothills of the Andes in the department of Quindio, near Genova. In the middle of a beautiful mountain landscape near a large river, crossed by a stream with waterfalls. It was once one of the most famous coffee plantations in the region, a flagship. But there has been no coffee here for many years.
Due to poverty and rural exodus, the finca has been largely left to its own devices and is neglected. Due to a lack of economic prospects, the coffee trees were cut down; the harvest was more expensive than the profit from the sale. Wastewater was channeled into the beautiful stream that runs through the finca. Plastic and other rubbish was burned and left lying around. The paint is peeling off the house, much of the wood is rotten, the roof has holes in it and the bathrooms are in a pitiful state. The neighbours are kind-hearted people, but old, often lonely and without many prospects.
That's why people looked at us in surprise when we wanted to buy this finca. "Oh God, what do you want with it? It's a grave for your money," they said.
A look ahead
We disagree.
We see enormous potential.
We see incredible beauty.
And we see a golden future.
For the finca, for the people who work with us and bit by bit for the coffee plantations and families of the entire region.
Therefore, we will completely rejuvenate our coffee plantation with coffee, banana trees, avocados and many other plants and trees that Colombia's biodiversity has to offer.
We start completely from scratch on a green meadow.
Our focus is the production of high-quality, authentic, Colombian coffee. Sustainable
for the environment and people.
From the root to your cup.
The appreciation of the work of our coffee farmers is our top priority, along with the protection of nature.
And we are not alone on our journey. Because we want to help the people in our region. There are many families who produce their coffee by hand and with a lot of love. They have a lot of potential and yet no chance. Therefore, our project is not just limited to our finca, but we want to work with you to ensure that the coffee plantations of Colombia flourish in our region and beyond. And with them, the many families in the countryside who cultivate them.
Que viva Colombia!