Can Folgers Do Good?

Does your morning Cup O' Joe make a difference?  Can it?  This is from a friends blog about Good Coffee   This is just another reason why I felt so compelled to change coffee at Grace  - we drink so much coffee in this world and to be able to drink a coffee with a strong mission and vision just makes sense.

“I believe these bikes will give

the people of Bukonya a new start …”

-Emmanuel Hagumayo

We have talked a lot about the Sustainable Cycle project, and many of you have caught this vision for buying a bike that will change the lives of farmers and their families.  It’s been exciting to see the innovative ways people have purchased bikes: bake sales, art auctions, or simply a donation jar.

I am now excited to share with you about a man in the village of Bukonya who was one of the first people to buy a bike through the microfinance project.  Bukonya is the village in northwest Rwanda where we have started a coffee cooperative and focused much of our attention as a company.  This village is very rural, so we have taken the opportunity to work (literally) to the hills. The coffee they grow, by the way, is amazing!  Buy yourself a bag of Bukonya Ikawa … you won’t be sorry.   Here are a few facts about Emmanuel.  If you would like an electronic file of his story to share let me know (erinleigh@drinkcoffeedogood.com).

• Emmanuel Hagumayo, age 62
• Hometown: Bukonya, Rwanda
• Family: his wife, 7 children, 1 adopted orphan and 23 grandchildren
• Occupation: Coffee Farmer
• Emmanuel was one of the first members of the coffee cooperative, & one of the first to microfinance a bicycle
• His belief is that the bikes will give his community a new start, making it “a place where people work hard, food is plentiful, and education is attainable for everyone.

 So Drink Coffee Do Good!  Okay?!  If you need any help starting or marketing this in your organization or church, please let me know.