We’re proud to introduce this coffee from Gloria Ortega in Huila, Colombia, sourced through our second year of collaboration with the Monkaaba project via Semilla. Led by Esnaider Ortega Gomez and fellow growers in San Agustín, Monkaaba empowers smallholder producers by helping them gain autonomy, access better markets, and build lasting relationships through shared knowledge and support.
Meet Gloria Ortega, who grew up in the mountain village of Sevilla, San Agustín (1,920 masl), surrounded by coffee and family. A lifelong hard worker, she began picking coffee as a child on her grandfather’s farm and neighbouring plots. Life took her from managing farms with her husband to purchasing her own — El Progreso — where she gradually replanted old trees with quality varieties.
After personal and financial challenges forced her to leave the farm for a time, Gloria returned with her children in 2020 to start anew. They built a modest home, replanted 1,100 Pink Bourbon trees, and revived their Caturra plants. Guided by relatives and inspired by her children, she embraced specialty coffee, learning new techniques and achieving excellent results with the support of the monKaaba project.
Today, Gloria’s dedication, resilience, and commitment to quality shine through every harvest — a testament to her journey from day labourer to proud specialty coffee producer.
