Good Deeds
We believe that education is a critical component of sustainable development, which is why 50% of the profits from the sale of Buena Beans are donated back to the producer communities exclusively for educational initiatives. (The other 50% repays the debt incurred creating this website). We've even put together an independent advisory board to oversee the donation and ensure that it serves the schoolchildren and their educational needs in La Violeta.
While living in La Violeta, Kate raised $600 through an email campaign to help with the construction of necessary new classrooms. Her donation allowed the school board to pay off the debt they owed on all of the cement they had purchased and used for the first phase of construction. Upon her return to the U.S., she created Buena Beans to make a more significant contribution to education and to open up endless possibilities for her students’ futures.
Meet Our Advisory Board
Buena Beans’ advisory board is made up of independent members whose expertise covers international business, teaching, public accounting, international education policy and the public educational system of Costa Rica. Together they are committed to ensuring that every penny donated by Buena Beans is spent to improve the schools and educational opportunities available to the communities that provide Buena Beans with such exceptional coffees.
Jill Carlson
B.A. Claremont McKenna College
M.Ed. Candidate (International Education Policy), Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Dirchy Calvo Valverde
Elementary Public School Teacher
San Gerardo, Costa Rica
Mario Duran
Founder, San Benedicto School, San Jose, Costa Rica
Ph.D. Candidate (Political Science), University of Costa Rica
Natalia Mendoza
B.B.A. Loyola Maryland, Management and International Business
Natalia Mendoza was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She has lived in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Brazil, Italy, France, Switzerland and the United States. Natalia holds a BBA in International Business with a minor in French from Loyola College in Maryland. Natalia has spent several years working in marketing, most recently for the Visiting International Faculty program, which hires international teachers for grades k-12 to work in the United States. Natalia currently resides in North Carolina with her fiancé Gabriel.