VIA’s birth name was Silvia DeLeon. She was born during the civil war in Guatemala. In the late 80s her biological mother, Carlota, who was desperate and poverty stricken, ran away from an abusive husband and the war that was raging in her country. She made a heart-wrenching desperate decision to find a safe place for her daughter. She found an orphanage who promised to take care of her child. They promised that they would find a home for Silvia where she would be guaranteed to have a better life. Heartbroken, Carlota’s last words to Silvia were tearful. She begged her to never forget her. She also said, “This is your land. You are special and God’s child. I love you and hope you will find it in your heart to come back home to us one day.

Silvia lived in the orphanage for about one year. She was almost seven years old when she was adopted by an American family. She played sports and was educated in the US. In her 20s she gave birth to her daughter and started her first company while raising her. She and her daughter struggled, living in the projects and on welfare for a while, but VIA always had big dreams.

As time went on VIA became a well-established special events branding marketing specialist. In 2010, with a 501c3 intact, she established a nonprofit against domestic violence, helping many women who had been abused as her biological mother had been. In 2014, she created VIASWORLD, V.G.C.’s sister company. VIA has become an established artist and fashion designer. She has been published and has participated in Art Basel. She has designed art for boutique hotels and restaurants in the US.

In 2020, during Covid, her daughter, Chanelle, did research on her own DNA and was able to find VIA’s biological family through the internet. For her birthday in October Silvia went back home and was reunited with her biological family for the first time in 30 plus years. Her mother had passed away, but VIA finally had closure. In 2021, VIA flew back to her beloved country around her birthday again. She vowed that every year for her birthday she would go back home to see her biological family. In her travels, in November of 2021, she met Raphael, the owner of LaGuitarra Plantation. They had a meeting about what she wanted to do with the family-owned coffee, and over a hand shake V.G.C. was created.

VIA fulfilled her promise to her mother. With that promise VIA created a family owned business that vows to always distribute amazing coffee to your homes and to do business with intent and purpose. V.G.C. is the people because VIA is the people. This boutique coffee company has had an incredible journey. Like VIA it will travel thousands of miles to your home to find its way back home. Home is where the heart is.

Each bag is packaged with a Mayan Worry Doll. According to legend, Guatemalan children tell their worries to the Worry Dolls, placing them under their pillows when they go to bed at night. By morning the dolls have gifted them with the wisdom and knowledge to eliminate their worries. The worry doll represents the princess and her wisdom.

Thank you for your purchase. Love, light, grace & gratitude.

VIA