Ometepe Coffee is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation & Recruitment Café in Centennial Park — a relaxed, welcoming gathering to celebrate the people who have given their time and energy to Ometepe Coffee over the years, reconnect with old friends, and invite some new faces into the fold.

From 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 19, Ometepe will transform a corner of Centennial Park into a little outdoor café, with bistro tables, coffee, conversation and live acoustic music.

Who is OGIFA?

Ometepe Coffee is a project of the Ometepe–Gulf Islands Friendship Association (OGIFA), a volunteer-run, non-profit organization connecting the Gulf Islands with communities in Nicaragua and Central America.

The relationship began in 1988, when Gulf Islanders came together to help bring safe drinking water to communities on Ometepe Island, a volcanic island in Lake Nicaragua. Over more than three decades, that friendship has grown to support coffee-growing cooperatives, education, health and community development initiatives.

Today, Ometepe Coffee imports organic, shade-grown, fairly traded coffee produced by farming families and cooperatives in Nicaragua. The green beans are roasted in Duncan and brought to Salt Spring, where volunteers bag, label, sell and serve the coffee — including at the beloved Ometepe Coffee booth at the Saturday Market.

Profits from coffee sales are directed back into projects and partnerships in Central America.

It is an unusual little enterprise: coffee connecting island communities, powered largely by volunteers.

And now, Ometepe Coffee is looking for the next generation of volunteers to help carry that relationship forward.

This event is first and foremost a thank-you. OGIFA Volunteers will enjoy FREE coffe, as will new members who sign up to help out with volunteering at the market, bagging coffee, coordinating with retailers and connecting with projects run to benefit fair-trade coffee producers in Nicaragua.

"We want to recognize the many volunteers, supporters and OGIFA members — past and present — who have helped make Ometepe Coffee possible,” says OGIFA board member Andrea Palframan. “People have volunteered for years, both at the coffee booth at the market and serving on a committee. The dedication is amazing, and we want the next generation of folks to get involved to keep this incredible little social enterprise going.”

Curious about getting involved?

Each café table will have information about Ometepe Coffee and the different ways people can participate. Current volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and share their experiences.

There’s no obligation and no formal presentation. Grab a coffee, pull up a chair and find out what this friendship-through-coffee is all about.

Friends, family members and anyone curious about becoming involved are warmly invited.

The wonderful old time band featuring Jane Squier, Darryl Martin and Bob McIvor will add a little live music to the café atmosphere. Think stand-up bass, mandolin and violin playing Celtic tunes.

Saturday, September 19
9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Centennial Park, Salt Spring Island

Everyone is welcome.