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Entry #31 Coffee Direct from Guatemala, Success for a Small Entrepreneur and His Family, and Joy for Michigan State's Spartan Global Students

4/3/2018

This coffee was roasted and packaged by Sr. Victor Cataví of San Miguel Escobar, Guatemala in early January. He was assisted by our Michigan State University Spartan Global Development Fund (SGDF) students who visited Guatemala over the holiday break 2017-2018. Students learned about the intricacies of and hard work involved in planting, tending, harvesting, sorting, roasting, and packaging coffee. Several of our students stayed with Sr. Victor Cataví and his family while in Guatemala. This gave them an opportunity to nurture friendships and experience family life in Guatemala. I am advisor to the student-led SGDF and a member of the board of directors for its non-profit companion organization, so, of course, I traveled with the group.

Señor Cataví became involved in the coffee industry about around 2015 with the help of SGDF’s field partner, As Green as it Gets (AGAIG). Sr. Cataví did not have any land to grow coffee, so he decided to enter the coffee processing business. This is fitting because coffee is part of his

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Paulette L. Stenzel

I am Professor Emerita of International Business Law and Sustainability at Michigan State University (MSU). I continue to teach part time at MSU and coordinate the Broad College Ethical Leadership program Additionally, I advise Spartan Global Development Fund, a student-driven microfinance organization, and serve on its non-profit 501(c)(3) Board of Directors. .

I am also a mom, learner, writer, violinist, environmentalist -in -process, traveler, and avid reader.

Through research, service, and public speaking, I share information and perspectives on teaching, ethical leadership, and the pursuit of more sustainable ways of living and doing business.

Photo above: Francisco Vinega, Jade Artist, Guatemala, with Paulette Stenzel.
Contact me at stenzel@msu.edu.