This 100% Red Bourbon lot originates from the meticulous efforts of 720 smallholder farmers contributing their coffee cherries to the Mbilima washing station, one of the trio of washing stations operated by the esteemed Dukunde Kawa Cooperative. Nestled amidst the lofty hills near Musasa, a quaint town situated in the rugged and mountainous Northern Province of Rwanda, Mbilima benefits from its proximity to the renowned Virunga National Park. This region boasts mineral-rich soil and a verdant environment perfectly suited for cultivating specialty coffee.
Farms in this area tend to be modest, averaging just a quarter of a hectare in size and positioned at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,100 meters above sea level. Coffee serves as a vital cash crop alongside subsistence food staples like maize, beans, sorghum, and occasional livestock such as goats, chickens, and cows.
Perched at an impressive altitude of 2,070 meters above sea level, Mbilima stands as one of Rwanda’s highest washing stations. Despite its relatively small size compared to others in Rwanda, Mbilima plays a vital role, serving 874 growers, of which 231 are women. Established in 2005, Mbilima was financed through the proceeds of Dukunde Kawa’s inaugural washing station, Ruli. The station operates with four permanent staff members and 49 seasonal workers, with an impressive 95% representation of women.
Jean Bosco Habimana, overseeing day-to-day operations since 2014, leads Mbilima, while Agnes Mushimiyimana heads quality control. Mbilima prides itself on its 100% organic status, complemented by Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, and Fair Trade certifications. Jean Bosco emphasizes that these certifications not only formalize and document existing practices but also enhance the livelihoods of producers and elevate the coffee's quality. With all lots processed organically, each batch is meticulously dry milled and stored separately, ensuring the integrity of each unique offering.
Supporting Strong Women
The aim of Supporting Strong Women is to collectively raise $15,000 by June 2024 to build a daycare centre at the headquarters of Dukunde Kawa. This centre will serve the women of Rambagirakawa and the broader coffee-producing community.
In addition to their roles in coffee farming, processing, weaving, and embroidery, many women in Rambagirakawa also serve as primary caregivers to children in their extended families, who are not yet old enough to attend school. Establishing a daycare centre has long been a dream for the cooperative, as it will enable its members to focus on their work and leadership roles without having to care for infants and toddlers. Achieving this goal will directly enhance the productivity and prosperity of these women, while also ensuring that children receive care in a safe, joyful, and nurturing environment, surrounded by their community and with their mothers, aunts, and grandmothers nearby.
By participating in this campaign, you become part of the inspiring narrative of these resilient and resourceful women and their vital contributions to the ongoing success of specialty coffee production in Rwanda.
Our commitment to this incredible campaign is to donate $2 from every 250g bag and $8 from every 1kg bag sold directly to the Supporting Strong Women campaign. You can also donate directly to the campaign via the GoFundMe page.
This information and images have kindly been shared with us by our import partners Melbourne Coffee Merchants.