Rwanda

Flooding and landslides devastate Nyabihu, Rwanda coffee farmers

On 7 May 2020, devastating rains, flooding, and heavy mudslides hit the Nyabihu District in northern Rwanda. Nyabihu is home to the families that produce the popular Shyira and Vunga coffees. Social coffee enterprise Raw Material is deeply saddened to report that 28 members of these communities lost their lives in the flood. Physical losses include at least 325 homes, livestock, coffee trees, and other crops. Vital community and utility infrastructure was destroyed, including 36 classrooms, 12 churches, a healthcare centre, the Vunga market, and electrical and water supplies.
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St Remio

St Remio: Coffee with a conscience

St Remio is committed to empowering the lives of Rwanda’s female coffee producers and promoting the stories behind each cup. June 21 was no ordinary day for St Remio Director Julia Tink and Founder Trent Knox. As they emerged from their car at the top of a hill overlooking the Rukara suburb in the Kayonza district of Rwanda, they heard singing and chanting in the distance. Drawn to the sounds, the husband-and-wife team made their way down the dusty clay path holding hands. Tears rolled down Julia’s face as she saw the joyous expressions of 150 local women who had gathered to celebrate the official opening of the Twongere Umusaruro Cupping Lab and give thanks.
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Twumba Coffee wins returning Rwanda Cup of Excellence

Twumba Coffee has placed first in the 2018 Cup of Excellence (COE) in Rwanda, with a score of 90.53. Mayogi women’s cooperative from the northern province of Rwanda was the runner up, scoring 90.06. Neither of the top two washing stations had previously entered the competition.
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Let’s Talk Coffee announces Rwanda event for 2019

Let’s Talk Coffee (LTC) will host a regional event in Rwanda in June 2019. The event will focus on Rwanda’s rising specialty coffee sector and meeting the industry leaders powering its growth. LTC Rwanda will be Sustainable Harvest’s major event for 2019, taking place in between LTC’s biennial global events.
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