Talitha Coffee’s Co-Founder Discusses Her Trip to the Dominican Republic

Co-founder of Talitha Coffee Jenny Barber recently went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in service of seeing firsthand Talitha’s impact on ethical coffee practices. We sat down to ask her some questions about what she did, what she witnessed, and how it informed her views on the future of Talitha.

Why did you go to the Dominican Republic at this moment?

I had the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic for a second time recently. It has been an incredible opportunity to serve and support one of our partners, Love Does, and their efforts in building a coffee initiative and other social enterprise initiatives to provide support and training for survivors of exploitation. 

I also had the privilege of inviting other partners to serve this initiative. It brings me so much joy to serve our partners, bring my skills, and collaborate with friends in this movement to bring hope and transformation around the world.

How many times have you been before for this type of work?

I’ve spent over fifteen years working internationally in missions, community development, and anti-trafficking initiatives. While I’ve worked in many different contexts, this was my second time visiting the Dominican Republic. It was amazing to see the work building!

What question or hope did you carry with you as you arrived?

I arrived hoping to understand the community and the work more deeply. My question was: How can we serve what is already happening here in a way that strengthens people and creates lasting opportunity?”

What Jenny Witnessed

What did you do there or what moment stayed with you the most?

One of the most meaningful moments was visiting coffee farms and spending time with the people growing the coffee. Hearing their stories and seeing the care they put into their work. Coffee is far more than a product, it represents families, livelihoods, and generations of knowledge and hope.

What surprised or challenged you once you were on the ground?

Seeing the tension between the incredible beauty of the country and the economic vulnerability some communities face. It reinforced how important it is that coffee and other industries operate in ways that genuinely benefit the people producing it.

Where did you see resilience or leadership firsthand?

I saw resilience in the women that Love Does is serving. On [the first portion of the] trip, I had the opportunity to share my personal story to women that were completing business training and received grants for a start up. Three months later, two of these women took the skills they had and a small amount of money and started businesses! 

These women are becoming local leaders who are working every day to build sustainable livelihoods for their communities. Their leadership, grit and commitment was inspiring.

What It Revealed

How did this experience reshape how you think about real change?

It reminded me that real change happens through long-term relationships. Transformation doesn’t come from outsiders arriving with answers, it comes from partnering with local leaders who already carry vision and responsibility for their communities.

How did this trip remind you why Talitha was created?

Talitha was created to use business — specifically coffee — as a way to create dignity, opportunity, and restoration. Being there reminded me that every cup of coffee connects people across the world, and when that connection is done ethically it can become a powerful force for good.

Did sustainable farming methods feel especially important here?

Yes, because it produces stability for families and communities. 

When coffee is sourced responsibly, and when businesses prioritize people, it tends to become a pathway to long-term opportunity, rather than short-term extraction.

What Jenny Brought Home

What are you returning with that you didn’t have before?

I gained a deeper relationship and a greater appreciation for the people behind our coffee. 

I am also coming with even greater inspiration for social enterprise that brings hope to survivors and transformation to communities. 

How will this experience shape how Talitha moves forward?

It reinforces our commitment to building partnerships that prioritize dignity, collaboration, and sustainability. Talitha’s future will continue to be shaped by relationships like these, where business becomes a bridge between communities.

Describe the trip in one sentence.

It was a meaningful reminder that when business is rooted in dignity and partnership, it can bring real hope and sustainable change to communities.