Mukamuganga - An Equal World Coffee Producer With an Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hope for the Future

Mukamuganga is seen here picking coffee cherries from coffee trees that overlook the shores of Lake Kivu in northwest Rwanda. She is married with two daughters and one son - and is one of many Specialty Coffee farmers in this region.

“I would like to express sincere thanks to our Cooperative leaders for building the coffee washing station in this community" she shares. "It now only takes me about 20 minutes to carry my coffee cherries to the washing station to be processed for Specialty Coffee” said a happy Mukamuganga.

We found her in the cool of the evening harvesting her coffee cherries with her youngest child peering at us from the tightly fastened fabric sling on her back. She shared that she was going to sell her coffee through the Co-Op in order to pay the medical bills for her sick 4 year old son.

In this region there is no access to clean, safe drinking water. As a result the children and community at large often suffer, and sometimes die, from water related disease. Equal World Coffee has linked arms with Arise Rwanda Ministries (www.ariserwanda.org) and Living Water (www.water.cc) to drill a deep water well. The well is scheduled to be completed in January 2012.

We know this exciting initiative will literally change lives overnight! We look forward to updating our customers on the progress and installation. Equal World Coffee is a primary support and funding mechanism to and for Arise Rwanda Ministries in the overall fund raising efforts to drill this well. If your organization, business or church has funding needs or you would like to participate in the impact we are having, we invite you to visit our Commercial Account Page.

Meanwhile, the 10% revenue from our on-line Retail Sales at Equal World Coffee continues to be directed annually to the Co-Op leadership for reinvestment. The Rwandan Co-Op leadership team decides how best to use the revenue we direct back - to build ongoing sustainability for the producers and co-operative business as a whole. It is a working Direct Trade Social Enterprise Model that depends on the loyalty of our retail customers like you - and the commitment you have made to change the way you buy coffee.

Mukamuganga grows about 100 trees of coffee. Her plan is to plant more trees of coffee in order to earn the money needed to send her children to Secondary School. At present one child is working hard to complete primary school; and the 4 year old is excited to just start school - once he is feeling better and old enough to attend.

Mukamuganga's hoped for dream is to start a small business in the community one day where she can sell her Rwandan crafts - and maybe those of her lady friends. Given this region is so remote and cash is not readily used or available, we inquired to whom would she sell these crafts? Who could afford them - or - who does not have their own crafts to use and enjoy already? We were puzzled...

She responded with a big smile, "We will sell to the visitors! Yes! The ones who come to visit our community because they love drinking Equal World Coffee - and they want to meet us!" she exclaimed.

Mukamuganga's dream may come true soon. Equal World Coffee is presently working with and through our Rwandan Representative on the idea of planning strategic trips to visit the coffee community. If you are interested in learning more please keep an eye on our blog and let us know of your interest.

As always, and on behalf of Equal World Coffee and the Coffee Producers in Rwanda - Thank you for your business. We hope you will continue to drink and share our delicious Specialty Coffee and story.