The Santa Clara Scholarship Program

Run by Antigua Guatemala’s Zelaya family, the Santa Clara Scholarship Program has changed the lives of many of their staff’s children by providing them access to greater educational opportunities.

Published 3 June 2025

We’ve been sourcing coffee from the Zelayas since 2008 and have long admired their meticulous and considered approach to growing and processing coffee, as well as the goodwill they extend to the the team that help them produce it.  Ricardo Zelaya, who oversees operations at Santa Clara Estate, leads his team with great care, positivity and a sense of humour; it’s not uncommon for his infectious, booming laughter to announce his arrival wherever he goes. Recognising that Santa Clara’s most valuable asset are the people who work there, the Zelaya family have always invested in their staff through projects that aim to improve living conditions and morale on and off the farm.

One of these initiatives is the Santa Clara Scholarship Program, which was founded by Ricardo’s daughters Bel and Katia, in 2011. In a region where less than half of school attendants have the means or access to complete their high school degree, the program aims to address this challenge  by covering the education costs of the children of Santa Clara’s staff. The Zelayas recognise that coordinated action can result in meaningful change and have invited all the roasters and importers they work with to get involved with the program.

While the fund began by supporting eight academically driven children, it has gone on to benefit over 70 students in the last 14 years. At MCM we have been proud to support the program since 2014, and have watched many students thrive with this support. Many have continued their studies beyond their high school degree, going on to university or developing their technical skills in coffee — while others, have returned to take on administrative duties at Santa Clara.

Last year, the program reached a milestone by celebrating its first university graduate, Guadalupe Rompiche, whose family has been working at Santa Clara for three generations. After earning a dual degree in Law and Education, Lupita (as she is known at the farm) hopes to create more educational opportunities for Guatemalan children from within the country’s legal system. Another program recipient, Flor Ventura, currently heads up Santa Clara’s QC program, and is in charge of roasting all samples and cupping them with us every time we visit, reminding us every year of just how much has been accomplished by the initiative already.

How you can support the program

The Zelayas would love to rally the support of the Australian Roasting community to get behind this important  and impactful program!  Currently, there are 74 eligible program recipients, of whom 36 are sponsored. Bel and Katia are working to extend that by at least ten more students, which would mean 70% of the estate’s full time staff are covered by the fund. 

Currently, Bel and Katia raise the funds the program needs as they go. One of their main goals is to raise money ahead of the school year, which begins in January, as this would allow them to reach more students, whenever they receive extra financial donations through the year. The yearly cost of sponsoring a participant ranges from $125 USD for the youngest children, to $600 for university students. As such, the cost of making an impact is relatively modest, and even a seemingly small donation can go a long way.

One simple way we raises funds, is to collect and donate all the takings we generate through our Let’s Cup! events. Through this fairly passive avenue, we’re able to contribute to the program without the need for an extensive campaign. Similarly, there are ways your business can also participate: whether it’s through allocating a few cents for every kilo of Guatemalan coffee you source through MCM, by hosting a cupping event of your own (which we can attend and participate in), or even donating your tip jar for the week. We’d love to brainstorm with you and find ways for you and your business to join us in supporting the Zelayas — simply reach out if you’d like to get involved, we’re here to help!