Phase 2 of The Fairtrade Socio-Cultural Complex
First launched in July 2021, the Don Jorge Aguilar Heredia Fairtrade Socio-Cultural Complex, located in the city of Tecomán, Colima, has now reached phase 2 of its development.
Fully financed by the Fair Trade premiums obtained through the purchases of organic bananas, the construction of the complex is now 50% complete.
To inaugurate the second phase, the Grupo AGGALL-Coliman Bananas agricultural team and their families came together to celebrate with a series of cultural and sporting activities.
The event was presented by the representatives of the Fairtrade associations, Silvestre Magaña Chávez and Gustavo Palomeras Reséndiz, who were accompanied by the Fairtrade committee officer Erika Reyes Flores, and the advisor Rosa del Carmen Mancilla Gallegos.
Also in attendance were the officials from the Latin American and Caribbean Coordinator of Small Producers and Fair Trade Workers (CLAC), Jaquelina Vivanco González.
The Regional Director of Central America and Mexico, Luis Álvarez, highlighted that thanks to the union between workers and companies, in a vision of fair trade, it is possible to achieve great projects like this Community Center.
As part of the latest round of developments, the community centre now has a total extension of three hectares which now includes the soccer field, the multipurpose field, the auditorium, and various common spaces.
The cafeteria, therapeutic pool, soccer field, administrative offices, picnic area and parking lot will be completed later this year.
The last stage will end in the middle of 2023, concluding with the construction of a toy library and multipurpose rooms.
According to Jorge Aguilar Jr., General Director and President of Grupo AGGALL-Coliman Bananas, this project seeks to benefit more than 6,000 people in the short term.
“It is an achievement mainly of the workers, with whom we have made a good synergy accompanying them throughout the process”, he comments.
A little over seven years ago, Coliman Bananas received Fairtrade certification for the first time. Since then, more than 20,000 people have benefited through various educational, sports, cultural and health programs.
“As a family-owned business, since our foundation, we have maintained a philosophy based on ethics and values. Our commitment has always been to take care of flora and fauna of our fields, but also and mainly, to improve the quality of life of our collaborators and their families, as well as of the communities”, he concludes.
You can learn more about the Fairtrade programs of Grupo AGGALL-Coliman Bananas at https://colimanbananas.com/eng/responsabilidad-social/
About Fairtrade
The Fairtrade program seeks to improve market access and trading conditions for producers and workers on agricultural plantations. To obtain Fairtrade certification, farms must meet rigorous social, environmental and economic standards.
Once certified, a guaranteed minimum price is obtained for the exported product and an additional premium for agricultural workers who, through assemblies organized in their associations, vote on how to invest the money to improve their quality of life and meet the primary needs in their communities. This direct economic benefit is what makes Fair Trade unique, a process that takes time and dedication to complete.