Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere having survived decades of civil war and an unpredictable climate prone to hurricanes.

The country relies heavily on export production for its national income, with coffee being its chief export.

Following changes to the International Coffee Agreement in 1989, the coffee price was subject to international fluctuations and income fell for many producers.

Martha is the niece of Gustavo Adolfo Talavera, a coffee farmer and one of the founding members of Soppexcca, a producer’s collective, supported by Christian Aid.

The collective helps the farmers get a better price for their coffee and improve living conditions for the whole community.

Marta explains: “Before Soppexcca was set up, we didn’t have a school, the lessons were held in my uncle’s front yard. When it rained we used to get soaked.

“Now we have a school, but for many years I went to school in the open.”