Bridging Communities in Honduras

One of the most used ingredients in our collection of teas is organic cardamom. And most of the cardamom used in our teas comes from one particular region of Honduras, the Village of Santa Tereza de Omoa. This jungle village is home to 1,200 people, and everyone in the village is involved with growing cardamom. In fact, 60% of total Honduran output of cardamom comes from this region alone!

Through our relationship with this grower community, we have learned that the Village of Santa Tereza was isolated from larger nearby villages due to an un-crossable river for several months of the year during the rainy season. These nearby villages are home to relatives and also offer closer schools and stores.

There was no doubt: a bridge was needed! We started a partnership with the Village of Santa Tereza, Pure Ground Ingredients, and the Jerrazano family, a Honduran local supplier partner who processes and dries the organic cardamom from the villages of this region. The project: to build a bridge that connects the villages all year round, connects families, provides enhanced ability to conduct business related to the village’s cardamom crops, gives access to a closer and better school as well as the only grocery store in the area, and supports overall life quality to the 1,200 habitants in Santa Tereza.

This bridge was a true team effort between YOGI TEA®, the Jerrazano Family, Pure Ground Ingredients and the habitants of Santa Tereza. YOGI TEA®, and the Jerrazano Family provided financial support for the project, the villagers provided the labor to build the bridge.

Thanks to the dedication and labor of the people of Santa Tereza, it tooks only 6 weeks to open the bridge to pedestrians! It will be fully completed and open to vehicles within the coming weeks.