No shipments between July 11th and Aug 5th. Happy summer!
March 8th 2025. Thanks for 3 years #acceleratingACTION
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate not just DONA’s third anniversary but also the incredible women behind every cup of DONA coffee. From day one, our mission has been clear: to recognize, support, and celebrate the hard work of women coffee farmers.
In the mood of celebration, we would like to highlight one of the incredible women behind our coffees: Furaha Umwizeye, our producer from Rwanda. Furaha has graciously shared her experience as an entrepreneur in coffee. She is the founder and chairperson of Kivubelt Coffee Ltd.
Her journey in coffee started 16 years ago when her company acquired 120 acres of land in Nyamasheke, in the western province of Rwanda to build an integrated coffee farm.
(DONA) Hello Furaha, what inspired you to start growing coffee?
(FURAHA) It was the desire to be an active participant in rebuilding Rwanda, our country, in a sector that would be most impactful in term of capacity building and local development.
(DONA) How does your business impact the people working in your farm and the local community?
(FURAHA) As a company we provide employment with stable income to 21 permanent workers and depending on the season of the year to 100 to 500 farmers. We regularly provide many trainings in best agriculture practice and coffee related skills to the farmers and workers. We participate in different local programs to improve the wellbeing of the most vulnerable members of our community, by providing health insurance for instance.
(DONA) How does climate change affect your crops?
(FURAHA) So far, we have been relatively fortunate in the western part of Rwanda, the impact of climate change is not huge however we’ve observed in the past few years that the rain pattern has changed. We are seeing more or more heavy rain for longer months which can be problematic for quality achievement because we need extended period of sun for optimal quality.
(DONA) How do you integrate sustainability into your farming?
(FURAHA) We integrate sustainability into our farming in many ways such as:
- Soil preservation and contour farming by digging terrasse to avoid soil erosion
- Mulching to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Planting shade trees to protect coffee plants from direct sun
- Minimal utilization of chemical
- Manure management by converting coffee waste into organic fertilizer
- Using energy efficient equipment
(DONA) What is your favorite coffee?
(FURAHA) My favorite coffee is the coffee that we produce, we truly put on the market a product that I would wish for. My second favorite coffee is geisha from Ethiopia
“On behalf of my team I would to express my gratitude to the loyal customers of DONA, it is because of you that we can keep producing great specialty coffee. Your commitment in Switzerland has great impact far away in Nyamasheke, Rwanda for people who need support the most. Thank you so much” Furaha Umwizeye.
Thanks Furaha for continuing to grow the amazing coffee that helps improve the wellbeing of so many people.
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