Coffee: an opportunity to go beyond

Some months ago in Milan, the Youths for a United World got together to plan an initiative which would focus on Genfest 2018 in Manila, Philippines. It was then that they revived the idea of selling coffee, as was done on the occasion of the Genfest of 2012 in Budapest. After obtaining a special price from a wholesale distributor, they created the labels which featured the guidelines of the activities and logo of the event.

They decided to designate the funds obtained to: support the Filipino people struck by Typhoon Vinta last December, help those arriving in Manila from the farther countries, and add to the funds for general expenses in the organisation of the Genfest.

One of the youths of Milano recounted that the idea came up when “we asked ourselves how we could spread the news of the Genfest here. Being an event to promote brotherhood among people, which covers material and interpersonal relationships, it seemed that one of the most representative elements was this desire to socialize, stay together, and as in our culture, share time enjoying a beverage or some coffee: that break you take during the day, which can become the occasion to exchange and share ideas, and to go beyond…”

This time it was easier than in 2012, since we already had our contacts. After deciding how to go about it, we contacted the supplier and received 4,000 packets of coffee in a month’s time in the central depot of Milan. In the meanwhile, in the various parts of the region, around 20 people volunteered to create small storage in their homes.

The labeling process was done by them and “it became an occasion to get together and dine together, […]. We did this not only in Milan but also in other regions where youths and families are helping one another. Lastly, this activity created many opportunities to meet people we haven’t seen for some time, thus consolidating fraternal relationships.”

For further information: caffe2018manila@gmail.com

Source: United World Project