BORN: Nov. 20, 1954, in San Lucas Tolimán, Sololá, Guatemala EDUCATION:
Primary school in San Lucas Tolimán, High school in Antigua Guatemala; 3 years of
Veterinary Science at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala; and too much life
experience to include here, in organic farming of gourmet coffee, organic certification
and promotion of organics.
LANGUAGES: Spanish and English
BACKGROUND:
Luis was born and raised in San Lucas Toliman and has an extensive knowledge of local
flora and fauna including birds, as well as local history and folklore. He lived in the
U.S. for 10 years and speaks English fluently. Since 1986 he has been helping to run Finca
Santa Alicia, his family's organic coffee farm. Since 1993 he and his wife Lisa have been
exporting the coffee from the family farm, in the process gaining important knowledge of
every phase of gourmet organic coffee from its growing to international marketing. Luis is
very active in promoting organic agriculture and has served as the Vice-President of OCIA
International, the certifying body which certifies the farm as organic, for the past 3
years. A congenial and attentive host, Luis will be your tour guide.
LISA MALDONADO
BORN: October 19, 1966, Blind River, Ontario, Canada
EDUCATION: Primary and Secondary school in Canada, last year of High school at
the French Lycee in Guatemala City; Diploma in the Teaching of ESL from the IGA in
Guatemala City; 1 year of studies in French Literature, history of the French language,
etc. at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Hands-on education in everything to do with gourmet
organic coffee since 1993.
LANGUAGES: English, French, Spanish.
BACKGROUND:
Lisa's family moved to Guatemala from southern Mexico in 1985; she spent her childhood and
adolescence in Canada. Lisa has been working closely with Luis since they married in 1989
and takes care of many aspects of their coffee export company. Fascinated by San Lucas
Toliman's vibrant indigenous culture, she has learned to weave on the backstrap loom and
can give demonstrations. She will be overseeing your meals and accommodation, as well as
organizing and running the Eco-library which will be located in your lodging in San Lucas.
She is excited about putting together visual displays pertaining to Guatemala's flora and
fauna, and hopes one day to have pictures of all the birds frequenting the area, both
endemic and migratory; as well as publications pertaining to local and international
ecological news and general information.
Luis and Lisa are very concerned to see the continuing destruction of local ecological
systems largely due to the cutting of trees for firewood. Their newly formed non-profit
Ecological Foundation will address issues such as deforestation, garbage management and
local social development, through education and as many creative initiatives as possible.
A portion of the proceeds from the Eco-Tours will go to fund these projects.
The Maldonados conduct our In and Around an Organic,
Gormet-Coffee Farm program. |