Stronger Together: Supporting Mental Health for Women in Coffee Farming with SANA
- mskirstennelson
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
At USWIC, we believe equity in coffee starts at the root—with the women who grow it, the systems that support them, and the communities that surround them. That’s why we’re proud to spotlight SANA, an integrative mental health and wellness program serving women coffee farmers across Colombia.
SANA is a social-impact initiative fiscally sponsored by American Friends of Bean Voyage, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with all donations going directly to delivering its life-changing care model. Their work resonates deeply with the mission of USWIC and aligns beautifully with our collaboration with Covoya and the Café Delas program—reminding us that from seed to story, we are strongest when we lift women together across the value chain.
About the Program
SANA provides a 5-month virtual program that combines:
Teletherapy sessions with licensed psychologists
Educational support through a culturally attuned digital curriculum
Group workshops and community-based activities
Ongoing psychosocial support
The model was built around the social and cultural realities of rural women in coffee farming. It’s designed to be accessible, flexible, and meaningful—especially for women managing heavy family, work, and emotional loads, often without a space to process it all.
Verónica, a recent participant, shared:
“The teletherapy sessions came at the perfect time. I had been overwhelmed. The psychologist helped me with challenges I was having with my daughter and guided me to release past pain. It was truly healing.”
Community-Based, Participant-Led
SANA works in close partnership with women’s coffee associations, cooperatives, and farmer groups across Colombia, selecting participants based on available funding, interest, and access to phone connectivity and WhatsApp.
There’s no upper age limit—past cohorts have included women from 21 to 78. The only requirement is a sincere commitment to prioritizing mental well-being and participating actively throughout the five-month journey.
Every group experiences the program together, creating ripple effects of care and connection within their communities.
What It Takes
$25/month supports one woman’s participation
$300 sponsors a woman for the full program
$3,000–12,000 sponsors a group of 10–40 women
All donations are tax-deductible, and each dollar helps SANA reach its 2025 goal of enrolling 120 Colombian women coffee farmers.
Why It Matters to All of Us
At USWIC, we’ve seen firsthand how mental health, gender equity, and coffee sustainability are inseparable. Whether it’s a woman picking cherries in Colombia, roasting in St. Louis, or managing logistics in Hamburg—our work is interconnected. Supporting women’s mental wellness is a shared responsibility, and SANA shows us a powerful, practical way to do just that.
