MEET
Iria Calderón López
From Uncertainty to Empowerment: Iria Calderón López’s Journey of Resilience.
Before the Program
Her journey
In the mountains of Guajil de Acosta, Iria Calderón tends her land with quiet determination. A coffee farmer, mother, and community member, she carries within her the steady resilience of someone who has learned to rebuild, again and again.
When she joined Bean Voyage’s Farmer School in 2023, Iria had been without work for five months. She was caring for her sister and searching for a way to create income that could sustain her family with dignity. Through the program, she not only found new economic pathways but also a circle of emotional support that helped her believe in her own strength again.
Iria’s days were marked by uncertainty. The coffee harvest had slowed, and job opportunities were scarce. Caring for her sister, she carried heavy responsibility with little external support. “I had to keep going,” she shared, “but I didn’t know how.”
“Last year I couldn’t meet all my clients’ orders,” she said. “Now my mom helps me supply them. We’re building something together.”
Through the Resilient Communities training, Iria learned both practical and personal tools. She joined workshops on pruning, shade management, and good agricultural practices, and discovered new confidence in herself as a farmer and entrepreneur.
She also joined the alumnae community, where women farmers continue to meet, exchange ideas, and share encouragement. There, Iria found not only knowledge but friendship—a community that lifted her spirit and gave her courage to dream bigger.
A New Beginning
With the seed capital she received from the program, Iria launched a pastured-hen project, raising chickens that now provide a steady weekly income through egg sales. Her new business has become more than a livelihood—it’s a symbol of renewal.
Her profits have already allowed her to expand, purchasing a new lot of hens to meet growing demand. Perhaps most meaningful of all, Iria was able to bring her mother into the project as a partner and supplier. “Last year I couldn’t meet all my clients’ orders,” she said. “Now my mom helps me supply them. We’re building something together.”
The Transformation
Through her journey, Iria speaks of empowerment not as a concept but as lived experience. She has gained confidence, practical knowledge, and a deep sense of belonging. “The program gave me emotional motivation to keep going and start my own business,” she reflects.
About Iria’s Project
NAME OF THE PROJECT
LA GRANJITA DE LA TÍA AMANDA
REGION / COUNTRY
GUAJIL DE ACOSTA, COSTA RICA
FUNDS SUPPORTED BY BV
$497.81
PROJECT TYPE
HEN KEEPING
Today, Iria’s hens are thriving, her coffee plants are healthy, and her household income has grown. But the most profound change may be the one within her: a grounded belief that she can shape her own path.
Looking Ahead
Iria’s next dream is to expand her chicken coop—to grow her business and offer employment to other women in her community.
Her story reflects the heart of Bean Voyage’s mission: that when women farmers have access to resources, knowledge, and sisterhood, they don’t just build businesses—they build thriving, interconnected lives.