What would the world be without cooperatives? Imagine the world without cooperatives, there would be less community, little sustainable development, people wouldn’t be able to access markets at reasonable prices and families wouldn’t be able to afford basic needs.

However, Jose Malik is able to provide for his family and access markets at reasonable prices because of his membership with Cooperative Café Timor (CCT). He takes advantage of the benefits of cooperative while being involved in one.

With a special thanks to USAID for funding NCBA CLUSA International Program which provided assistance to Cooperative Cafe Timor (CCT), CCT members were trained on coffee processing, cooperative management, marketing, health care and financial management.

CCT is known to be one of largest coffee-growing cooperatives. Members of the cooperative were trained on how to manage a cooperative, which allows CCT members to manage 100 percent of the cooperative. Before CCT was established members only sold within East Timor, now, members can sell beyond East Timor and bring in more profit.

For Malik and his family, cooperatives have changed his life tremendously. Malik has an annual income to support his through his coffee sales. Without cooperative there would be less empowerment within communities, no member owned businesses and little sustainable development. However, cooperatives continue to provide sustainable economies for members of communities and allow members to provide for their families.

With USAID’s Cooperative Development Program (CDP) many developing cooperatives continue to advance in various ways to create sustainable economies while building supportive communities.