News and Updates from the Field | Equal World Coffee

News and Updates from the Field

Caleb's Coffee Adventures

January 21, 2010
Caleb and his coffee

It is a great joy for Equal World Coffee to hear from our customers and learn how you are using our coffee to better the world.

The following story is one of our all time favorites so far...
We hope you enjoy learning how one little boy in Colorado is determined to make a difference.

Caleb is 7 years old.
He has been learning about Rwanda and about how some of the children have to struggle just to get enough to eat - so he decided on his own he could do something to help.

Caleb knew all about Equal World Coffee because of his church.
They sell coffee to support their sponsored children and mission in Rwanda.

He told his parents that he had some goals - and wanted to use Equal World Coffee to reach them.

Caleb's Goals:

Christmas Goats on Parade!

January 21, 2010
Christmas Goats on Parade!

Between December and the end of January, almost 200 goats will be delivered to coffee producers in the cooperatives that Equal World Coffee works with in both the northern and southern regions of Rwanda.

While visiting the cooperative last fall, we learned that goats would be a valuable asset for the coffee producers to have. As the co-ops work toward "official" organic certification (they are organic growers but not yet officially certified) the goats will help toward reaching that goal.

In addition, the goats are a great source of additional income for the family in the off season. They produce milk, the offspring can be sold and a small enterprise can be built and sustained.

Pedaling for Change

January 16, 2010
The Coffee Bike

In October there was great excitement and reason for celebration in one of our partner coffee cooperatives. The Producers learned that they had just won first place in the National Competition held for all coffee producers in Rwanda!

Representatives from OCIR (national coffee board for Rwanda) were on hand as was the national press. Their exceptional coffee will again be part of the International Competitions this year and offered through Equal World Coffee.

A great gathering was held of over 2000 producers and their families.
Traditional Rwandan Dancers and singers performed and it was a festive atmosphere!

A big part of the celebration was the drawing and awarding of 11 cargo bikes. The bikes were purchased from retail profits earned from the sale of Equal World Coffee.