THE STORY OF LA MAI COFFEE

The rich soil in the north of Thailand grows some of the best opium poppies in the world.

It may be known as the 'Golden Triangle', but it doesn't produce 'gold' for the growers or for the crop's end users – the world's many heroin addicts.

In fact the opium crop returns so little to the farmers that they sometimes have to sell their daughters into prostitution in Bangkok just to survive.

But there is hope.

Hope World Partnerships has partnered with Thai cooperatives to help these growers convert to coffee growing. They make more money from growing coffee than opium. Only the 'middle men' make big money from opium. 

Hope World Partnerships invests in helping growers improve their coffee, introducing the concepts of organic farming, shade trees and improving their marketing techniques.

We pay the growers above fair trade prices.

It's hard because we have to compete with the big multi-nationals who try and buy early in the season when the growers are cash starved. We are happy to pay a higher price because we know the extra goes into improving the crop and caring for families. This removes the need to sell young girls into prostitution.

Caring for their families is critical. 

These are tribal people that often sell their daughters into prostitution. They want to believe their daughters are joining a night club to entertain with their dancing. We know differently.

Girls as young as eight are purchased by scouts from Bangkok and are forced into a sordid life of prostitution. Most won’t make it to their 21st birthday – they are too old and weary; too drug ridden and scarred.

There are over a million prostitutes in Thailand and it's big business. In fact, prostitution in Thailand is bigger in GDP terms than agriculture is in New Zealand.

Bright Hope partners with agencies trying to combat what is one of the most brutal and debasing activities anywhere in the world. We help rescue girls already trapped in "the trade" training them for a better life.

We need your help. 

By buying La Mai coffee you are making a difference. Profits go back into Thailand to rescue trapped girls and prevent the next generation getting involved.

If you'd like to help, please order some coffee and spread the word.

The coffee's great but the story is even better.