DIDIER GALINDEZ-WASHED-COLOMBIA

Didiers childhood is full of good memories, adventures, and mischief. He grew up in the upper area of the Sevilla neighborhood, where he shared traditional games with his friends such as spinning top, marbles, and pistoleros. At that time, there was no access to tertiary roads, which limited transportation by motorcycle or car, so walking was the only option. To attend school, he had to walk for more than half an hour along narrow, muddy roads during the rainy season. At first, the journey was more pleasant, as many children attended school, and between games and laughter, the time passed quickly. However, over time, his company diminished until he finished primary school practically alone.

After his long walks back, he helped on his parents farm, pulping coffee cherries and doing other farm work, as his family had been growing coffee for many years. However, Didier decided not to continue his high school studies and focus fully on the farm with his parents and siblings. At 14, his father gave him his first 400 Caturra coffee trees, marking the beginning of his journey as a coffee farmer.

Life dealt him a hard blow in 2006 when his father passed away suddenly, leaving a huge void in the family. The farm, which had been their livelihood for generations, now became an overwhelming responsibility. Didier, still very young, had to take on many of the tasks previously performed by his father, guided by his mother and older siblings. The weight of the farm, the decisions, and the future of production fell upon him unexpectedly, generating a mixture of fear and insecurity. Coffee was not just a crop; it was a way of life, and at that moment, he felt the road ahead was too long.

Attached to a particular tradition, his father had let the crops age without renewing them. However, after his death, Didier and his family made the difficult decision to begin a renewal process with more productive and resilient varieties. Although they knew it would be a long and demanding road, they understood it was the only way to ensure the future of the farm and the family legacy.

Despite his commitment to the farm, there were times when Didier needed to escape the pressure. At times, he decided to put aside his responsibilities as a producer and travel to other municipalities in search of work as a coffee picker. It was a different experience, where the physical effort was intense, but the mental burden was less. In those days, he could feel like a young man, without the anguish of making decisions for the future of the farm. However, these trips didn't last long, as the farm constantly needed him, and he always ended up returning. Over time, he began to accept his role with greater maturity, understanding that his destiny was tied to coffee production, but that didn't mean he couldn't find fulfillment in it.

In 2016, Didier and his brother Arley decided to purchase land, for which they applied for bank loans. On this new plot, Didier built his house and established several coffee plantations, marking an important step toward his productive independence. He was no longer just renovating the family farm, but also beginning to carve out his own space in the coffee world.

In 2021, they began a new renovation of the family farm, focusing on varieties that were better adapted to the conditions of the cup. Thus, they planted the first 850 Yellow Caturra trees and planned to continue the renovation year after year until they completely transformed the farm. They also planted the first Pink Bourbon trees, which will begin production this year (2025), generating great expectations for the results in terms of cup and productivity. 

Didier and his family came to the Monkaaba project thanks to the recommendation of their neighbour and friend Gildardo Ortega, who told them about the initiative. Motivated by this opportunity, they decided to present samples of their Yellow Caturra, taking a new step on their path toward producing high-quality coffees. Today, Didier looks back with pride at what he has built, understanding that every effort and every renewal has been worth it. What was once a burden is now a purpose that motivates him to continue forward.