In May 2009, our own coffee artisan and native of Brazil, Angelo Oricchio, traveled to the great continent of Africa for two very special events.

Angelo’s first stop was Gishoma, Cyangugu, in Rwanda.  Through our partnership with Michigan State University and the PEARL (Partnership to Enhance Agriculture in Rwanda through Linkage) Project, proceeds from the sales of our One Thousand Hills Fair Trade Rwanda coffee were officially donated to the Cocagi Cooperative.  The cooperative, with approximately 1,300 farmers, is a small nucleus that encompasses the washing station for processing coffee, a small open market, church, and schools.

With the help of locals, a percentage of the proceeds were used to purchase 400 goats that were presented to the cooperative.  The goats will provide the cooperative members and their families with a virtually endless supply of milk, food, and fertilizer.

400 Goats were purchased for the people of the Cocagi Cooperative.

After the donation ceremony, a reception took place at Gashonga Washing Station that included speeches from Angelo; Dan Clay, the director of MSU’s Institute of International Agriculture; the president of the cooperative; and others.  The local people danced, sang, and recited poetry to honor their guests.  Angelo received a beautiful, hand-woven basket as a token of thanks to our company.

Angelo then traveled to Burundi with the other coffee roasters and coffee professionals from the USA, South Africa and Uganda.  They learned about the work the Office du Café du Burundi (OCIBU) is doing to establish cupping labs and to certify cuppers within Burundi.  The group also cupped several coffee samples from different areas of the country; and later, at OCIBU headquarters in Bujumbura, the group discussed various protocols involved in cupping, which comprises water conditions, preparation of samples, and cupping.

OCIBU and Angelo

Throughout the visit in Burundi, as in Rwanda, local people greeted and entertained the group with singing and dancing to show their appreciation.  There were also small celebrations at nearly every washing station.

Angelo’s trip included a full-day conference with government dignitaries, coffee exporters, and OCIBU members.  The main topic was the different points involved in producing Specialty Coffees, from production to shipping.  The conference was part of a very involved effort to educate and encourage the Specialty Coffee industry’s growth in the Burundi.

“My personal experience was very special.  The goat ceremony in Rwanda was a very proud moment.  To realize that we formed an alliance, through our company buying the cooperative’s green coffee and our customers buying our roasted coffee, that really helps these people is a great feeling.” -Angelo Oricchio