TOGETHERNESS
The Mozzo team first met small start-up cooperative Muungano (meaning “togetherness” in Swahili) during a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2014, with social enterprise partner at the time, Twin.
“Muungano” is the guiding principle of the coffee farming cooperative, located close to the shores of Lake Kivu in Eastern DRC. In one of the poorest African countries, and without so much as an office or computer to their name, Muungano had one thing up their sleeve... sensational coffee.
INCREASING COFFEE POTENTIAL
Because it’s so good, we used it across our range of blends and Mozzo Origin Coffees and, purchased a container (320 x 60kg bags) of Muungano Coffee every year for a number of years.
Where Muungano’s farmers had the perfect conditions, skill and mindset to produce specialty-grade washed Arabica coffee, they lacked funds, facilities and equipment, managing production with only the most basic of coffee operations. Despite that, they were wholly committed to improving production through progressive plans for their people, infrastructure, and agricultural practices.
CREATING LASTING IMPACT
Since 2015, the C2C Fund™ has helped Muungano:
- Build an office & cupping lab (where they roast and taste (cupping) the coffee to check quality and flavour characteristics)
- Train cupping skills and ensure quality control
- Construct 50 new drying tables (where they sun-dry the beans on raised beds, so the air circulates, and moisture drains off)
- Rehabilitate the Nyabirehe & Buchiro washing stations post-flood
- Support salaries of 6 Field Officers training farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
- Establish internet connection via satellite for the office
- Supply new equipment for the cupping lab
- Construct a 4th washing station at Nyangoma including 15 new drying tables, 2 hand pulpers and building materials for fermentation tanks.
The C2C Fund™ also supported the salary of Head Agronomist, Julie Nirere during 2020. Enabling her to stay with Muungano and continue her work specifically with female and young coffee farmers, encouraging the next generation to become coffee farmers. Vital work for the continued development, strength, and sustainability of the coffee industry.
THANK YOU
Mighty thanks to our Mozzo community, every coffee you’ve bought, every cup you’ve enjoyed helps us have a profoundly positive impact on our communities.
