Barbara – Co-operative (CPA) José Martí

Barbara and Carlos Denis, courtesy of Traidcraft

Barbara has been working at the co-op since 1991 and is now a member of the Board. CPA Jose Marti was the first co-op in Cuba to implement fairtrade projects, a machine workshop and a nursery plant, which have been very important in the last two years in helping it to develop and grow.

Most recently, the members of CPA Jose Marti have been repairing houses, building new ones, buying engines and spare parts for tractors, building a new kitchen, eating and meeting hall, and electrified an irrigation system. With the support of her co-op Barbara is attending two evening classes a week in IT, and she is very proud of how much she has learnt so far.

When she’s not studying or working, Barbara runs a home alongside her husband Evelio. They have two children a daughter who is 20 and studying dentistry and a son who is 19 and works for a power station company.

Barbara loves to dance, and looks forward to what she thinks is the best party of the year. It’s called the ‘Orange Festival’, a celebratory carnival that takes place in her town in June, at the end of the orange and grapefruit harvest.

Barbara’s hobbies include fishing, playing dominoes and in the summer she loves taking her family to the beach.

Barbara hopes that fairtrade will continue supporting her co-op, which has considerably enhanced her quality of life and brought her and her family new opportunities.