Mama Sierra: Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

Juan Cañas

February 24, 2025
1:45 pm

Introduction

The Mama Sierra program is our key initiative launched in Giraldo, Antioquia, in 2021. The program focuses on empowering 15 women coffee farmers by breaking down gender barriers, promoting self-sufficiency, and fostering sustainable communities through coffee production, agriculture, and leadership.

As we look to expand, the program aims to reach more women in rural Colombia, offering them the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

Origin

The Mama Sierra project began in March 2021 as a pioneering initiative to challenge deep-rooted macho culture in rural Colombia. Through psychosocial support focused on female empowerment and leadership, we empowered a group of 15 women who became agents of change within their community.

In its first phase, the program worked to shift local perceptions of women. By 2023, in its second year of implementation, the 15 women were given the opportunity to propose significant changes. Through participatory activities, the group identified community challenges, defining key areas for change.

Founded by Yessica Parra, the project is now led by Sirley Pulgarin and coordinated by Marco Marin, our Impact Project Coordinator in Colombia. Mama Sierra Project is now seeking supporters in Colombia and Europe to expand its impact while continuing to empower the community and build a sustainable, prosperous future!

Find out Mama Sierra's members!

1. Maria Leidy Lorenzana
2. Liliana Maritza Manco
3. Ana Teresa Manco
4. Aura Rosa Manco
5. Loaida Patrica Lopez
6. Sandra Lopez
7. Linda Mildrey Manco
8. Sirley Eleani Pulgarin
9. Arneida Manco
10. Yorleny Andrea Pulgarin
11. Yakeline Manco Garces
12. Maria Eugenia Serna
13. Karina Garces Usuga
14. Ana Delis Campo
15. Maria Elid Perez Lopez

Our Scope

Female Empowerment & Leadership
The Program equips women with the skills and support needed to take on leadership roles within their families and communities. Mama Sierra project offers psychosocial support, leadership training, and practical workshops on business management, financial literacy, and sustainable production methods. A psychologist provided guidance to help women overcome personal and social barriers, fostering emotional resilience and self-confidence.

Women also learned how to develop and manage small businesses, access economic opportunities, and advocate for their rights. Through hands-on activities, mentorship, and community engagement, the project promotes self-reliance and long-term social change.

Sustainable Agriculture & Coffee Production
Mama Sierra empowers female coffee farmers with hands-on training in coffee cultivation, and post-harvest processing. Women learn techniques to improve coffee quality, adopt organic farming practices, and diversify their crops for greater financial stability.
The program also introduces organic vegetable gardens, teaching women to grow their own food, reduce dependency on external markets, and create income during non-harvest seasons. By repurposing household and coffee waste into compost, they enhance soil fertility and promote sustainable farming methods that benefit both their families and the environment.

Community Integration & Well-being
The program fosters community integration with initiatives like the Mama Sierra women’s soccer school, providing women with a platform to build teamwork, leadership, and confidence. It also supports ongoing education for women and children, ensuring long-term community empowerment.
In Giraldo, the project improves residents’ health by installing water purification systems, and providing access to clean water. Additionally, medical brigades offer free health services, while educational programs raise awareness on hygiene, nutrition, and overall well-being, taking a comprehensive approach to community development.

Meet The Team

Maria Leidy Lorenzana

Sandra López

Yorley Andrea Pulgarin and Aurora Rosa Manco

Sirley Pulgarin

Linda Mildrey Manco

Aurora Rosa Manco

Liliana Maritza Manco

Ana Teresa Manco

Sirley is the heart of our Giraldo buying station. Her sharp cupping skills and strong ties with local producers make her a key player.

Sirley is a natural leader in her community. She actively organizes initiatives, participates in decision-making, and constantly seeks ways to uplift those around her. As a proud Mama Sierra representative, she embodies expertise, leadership, and positive change in coffee.

Marco ensures that sustainability and social impact are at the heart of The Coffee Quest.

From regenerative agriculture to women-led initiatives, he works closely with producers to create lasting change. His commitment to ethical and sustainable practices strengthens both communities and the coffee supply chain, driving a more resilient and just industry.

Key Achievements

2021: Project Initiation
The project launched with a vision to empower female coffee farmers in Giraldo.
2022: Empowerment and Independence
15 women attended five workshops (5 hours each) on empowerment, leadership, and production techniques, led by an expert psychologist. These sessions inspired self-reflection on roles, aspirations, and goals.
The women gained financial independence, shifting from husbands managing coffee sales to selling directly at higher prices through The Coffee Quest’s local buying station. They used profits to pursue education, build homes, and travel.
2023: Transforming Mindsets
Training in farm management emphasized financial literacy and investment, encouraging women to see themselves as agro-businesswomen. Through community-driven initiatives, they launched a soccer school and organic gardens, promoting cohesion and food security.
2024: Community Health and Skills Development
Two water purification systems improved community health. Workshops on food transformation and cooking diversified income sources, while additional cooking training opened microbusiness opportunities.

What’s Next?

The women are committed to receive capacity building on relevant topics for their community’s development. The Mama Sierra program will continue expanding in 2025, with a focus on:

Exploring commercial aspects of this project. Finding long-term commercial allies who can support and keep the project running.
Expanding the Mama Sierra project to train more women in this, and other regions.
Strengthening community efforts to address essential needs such as access to clean water, health, and education.
Exploring options for our very first farm-to-cup project, by supporting the members to roast and sell some of their product, locally.
Scaling up leadership and agricultural workshops, including advanced coffee processing techniques and organic farming.
Introducing new income-generating activities such as food transformation workshops to diversify income streams and reduce dependence on seasonal coffee harvests.

Mama Sierra Group

Mama Sierra Group (2)

Aurora Rosa Manco (4)

Yessica Parra

Traning phase with psychologist

The Coffee Quest Colombia team 2

Sirley Pulgarin, TCQ and group leader

Sirley Pulgarin checking quality

Medical Brigade Visiting Kids (1)

Medical Brigade Visiting Kids (3)

Kelly Pastes, TCQ Colombia

Coffee drying on patio

Drying Coffee in Giraldo

Doctor_s Check-up

Key Collaborators

The success of Mama Sierra is made possible through strong partnerships:

Local Women Producers: Key members of the project, including Sirley Pulgarin, Maria Leidy Lorenzana, Aura Rosa Manco, and others, play pivotal roles in driving change.
International Volunteers: Volunteers from the US and Europe have contributed to educational initiatives, cultural integration, and community development.
Local Institutions & Partners: The Coffee Quest collaborates with local organizations, schools, and community leaders to foster growth and sustainability in Giraldo and beyond.
European Roasters: From France and the Netherlands to Czechia and Scotland, they source coffee directly from Mama Sierra, supporting women’s economic empowerment and sharing their stories and impact with the European coffee community.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

Gender Equality

Empowering women in leadership and decision-making roles, breaking gender norms, and promoting economic independence.

Clean Water & Sanitation

Installing water purification systems to enhance the health and well-being of the community.

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Providing training and resources to help women improve their livelihoods through coffee production and organic farming.

Responsible Consumption & Production

Promoting organic farming practices and sustainable coffee production techniques that benefit the environment and local communities.

The Coffee Quest’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in the Mama Sierra program:

SDG 5: Gender Equality – Empowering women in leadership and decision-making roles, breaking gender norms, and promoting economic independence.
SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth – Providing training and resources to help women improve their livelihoods through coffee production and organic farming.
SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation – Installing water purification systems to enhance the health and well-being of the community.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production – Promoting organic farming practices and sustainable coffee production techniques that benefit the environment and local communities.

Through these programs, The Coffee Quest is fostering lasting change in Giraldo and beyond, empowering women to lead, thrive, and transform their communities for a more sustainable and prosperous future.

Get involved!

Support the Mama Sierra program and help empower women in rural Colombia. If you are a roaster, you can contribute simply by purchasing this coffee, ensuring a direct impact. Others can get involved through volunteer work, donations, or commercial partnerships.

Mama Sierra: Empowering Women, Transforming Communities

Introduction

Table of Contents

Origin

Our Scope

Meet The Team

Sirley Pulgarin

Marco Marin

Key Achievements

What’s Next?

Key Collaborators

Our Commitment to Sustainability

Gender Equality

Clean Water & Sanitation

Decent Work & Economic Growth

Responsible Consumption & Production

Get involved!

Our Locations

The Coffee Quest

Follow Us

Contact Our Impact Project Team!

Request Samples!

Request Samples!