www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, November 14, 2014 | 18 Student discovers life in Peru is relaxing but chaotic continued from p.4 "The world's population is rapidly urbanizing and in many developing countries, planning isn't really a profession that is utilized to mitigate some of the effects of such rapid urbanization. My ultimate goal is to create planning solutions for urban problems in the developing world. Juarez said working with Café Femenino coffee-producing communities has allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of urban and rural issues in the developing world. "This will help me in achieving my professional goals in the future," he said. Although Juarez has visited Peru before, he says he still experienced a dramatic cultural shock." "There are so many aspects of life that are very different than what I'm used to at home, but once I got used to them I was able to really appreciate them," Juarez said. "Back home, we're so used to following tightly-packed schedules and a very strict structure. "The culture here is a lot more laissez-faire. Hours are flexible. We have a three-hour lunch and siesta break, but we work just as hard. It's really quite relaxing in comparison to those late nights in Waterloo spent finishing assignments. "Every day on my way back home from A group of coffee producers gathering for a community meeting in Tallapampa, Peru. | photo by Luis Juarez - special to the Beaver Laser DentaL Whitening * FREE * for every new patient exam, cleaning & X-rays. Available Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7am - Midnight · Saturday 10am - 4pm We speak Portuguese, spanish, French, Polish, Urdu Direct insurance billing Dr. Marcelina benedito D.M.D., Emergency, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry Dr. Herman comlekci D.M.D., special interest in Dental Implantology www.toothfairydentistry.ca 487 Cornwall Rd., Unit 5E., Oakville · 905-844-tale (8253) Sunday, November 30th Royal Botanical Gardens 10am-5pm 680 Plains Rd. West, Burlington A Festive Christmas Shopping Experience! Stocking Stuffers · Décor · Gourmet Treats Gifts For You & Everyone On Your List! Donate a new hat & mitten set and enter to WIN great prizes! Proud to Support work, there's something happening on the streets, whether it's a political parade for the upcoming municipal elections or a salsa dancing competition in the main square. In contrast to beautiful suburban Oakville, many would consider living in Chiclayo to be chaotic. It was for me when I arrived here, but now it's exciting." It was really a "no brainer" for Juarez to work in the coffee-producing industry. "Drinking coffee as much as I do, I know it's a brand that has a connection to my day-to-day life in Canada," he said. "Also, having participated in the two-week Peru trip earlier, and witnessing some of the great work being done by the coffee, I wanted to come back and help in a larger capacity this time. "I have always been curious about the relationships that exist between urban planning and the quality of life in the developing world." One of the rather unusual things about the Café Femenino brand of coffee is that it's entirely produced by women, Juarez said. "Café Femenino women own and maintain their own organic coffee plants and they pick, ferment, dry and sell the beans that come from these plants," Juarez said. "As a result of this program, women are able to obtain an independent income, separate from that of their spouse's income, giving them formal economic rights and increasing their say in family resources and decisions." Since its inception in 2004, this women-only program has spread to other coffee-producing communities in northeastern Peru as well as Columbia and the Dominican Republic, according to Juarez. "Women have always been a crucial part to the production of coffee, however, this brand of coffee formally recognizes their efforts," Juarez said. "... Men are still an integral part of the process... but they have seen the value of empowering women in their communities." Although most of the South American coffee originates in Brazil and Columbia, the majority of Peru's coffee beans are higher-quality Arabica beans used for specialty coffees, such as those found in CJ's Café, Juarez said. "Locals have told me that growing coffee is often an alternative to growing coca plants, which are sometimes illegally sold to drug cartels," Juarez said. While in Peru, Juarez is also conducting research for his undergraduate thesis course. His topic: Analyzing grassroots development projects in Northern Peru's Andean coffee-producing communities. CJ's helped with his fundraising for his placement by allowing him to purchase bulk bags of Café Femenino at reduced prices and reselling them to his friends and family, he said. } n2ncentre.com www.thechristmasshow.ca } Adults: $12:50 · Student/Senior: $10.50 · Ages: 4-12: $7.50 Under 4: Free · Members: Free Admission includes access to Holiday Traditions at the RBG Tate, Grade 11. Current HSC and provincial rugby star, future surgeon and humanitarian. 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