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Who Are We?

    Ometepe-Gulf Islands Friendship Association (O.G.I.F.A.) was originally formed in 1988 when a group of Gulf Islanders became aware of a pressing need for potable water for the close to 30,000 people of Ometepe Island which is located in Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua.  It is a charitable, nonprofit, non-political, non-religious association run solely by volunteers.

     We focus our assistance in Nicaragua and Guatemala.  At present we support a micro bank; education scholarships; a home for the rehabilitation of young boys from Managua who are addicted to glue sniffing; development of first-aid clinics in remote villages; and the installation of safe, efficient Onil stoves in homes where open fires have been used for heating and cooking.  We donate an average of approximately $25,000-$30,000 per year in Canadian funds.

      Wherever possible we choose projects to which we can deliver assistance with no administration costs. Our projects are funded by 100% of all private donations and 100% of our profits from the sale of high-quality, organic, shade grown, fairly-traded coffee beans that we import from Ometepe Island.  Our beans are stored and roasted by Serious Coffee in Duncan.  To be certain that our coffee is always fresh, we have the beans roasted every two weeks, then we transport them to Salt Spring Island where our members label and fill the bags by hand.

2 comments:

rem said...

What a coincidence. Only today did I discover your website and the great work of the OGIFA. Within hours, looking at the March 2012 Western Living Magazine, I see the same view of Ometepe Island as is captured above. Too bad they didn't know about your connection to the place.

Richard Miller

Ometepe-Gulf Islands Friendship Association said...

Thanks, Richard, for your kind comments! Unfortunately our coffee is only available on Salt Spring Isand, Mayne Island and Victoria.

Come visit us at the market when you're on Salt Spring next!