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No person was ever remembered for what she received: she will be remembered for what she gave - by Ines Ciza

10/24/2014

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A fellow woman helping a fellow woman

A gift without a second thought

Burundi Friends International

In July 2013, Burundian women in coffee received a donation composed of 60 goats from an American organization called “Burundi Friends International”. Goats may seem like a strange gift, but for these Burundian women they were not just “goats”: they were a means to fertilize their coffee trees, have healthier coffee cherries and get more involved in their plantations.

As Burundi has its traditional culture to help and love each other; even Burundian women grew up with that culture. When those Burundian women in coffee from Busiga (Ngozi province) and Mparamirundi (Kayanza province) received those goats, they made an agreement in front of all the other women in coffee that didn’t get a goat.

The promise was that when it was time for those goats to give birth, they would give the kids from those goats to those women in coffee who initially didn’t get one. These Burundian women in coffee shared their donation so that other women in coffee had the chance to have the same benefits for their coffee plantations.

In September 2014, I went back to those regions with the delegation from Burundi Friends International and the President of IWCA Burundi chapter (Mme Isabelle Sinamenye) to see with my own eyes how those women in the coffee industry did indeed accomplish this promise. These Burundian women in coffee are generous and have the spirit of sharing with others. It is their real generosity toward the future that lies in giving all to the present.

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CHANGE: THE STORY OF HAMSINI APPADURAI by Urvashi Malhotra

10/17/2014

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Hamsini and her husband

Hamsini's coffee plantation

Young Indian women coffee workers

What change can one person bring? Correction: What change can one woman bring? Hamsini is one such woman who can and did bring change and made a difference, a difference that few stalwarts in the coffee world would be able to emulate.

Married into a coffee planter’s family, Hamsini had a background in financial management. She had earlier worked in a stock-broking firm, managing investments and building portfolios; planning for the long term.

She put this talent to good use when she became a homemaker, living on the plantation for 4 years. As early as 1998, while the menfolk would be busy with planting, harvesting and selling the coffee to coffee brokers, she put her data management skills to use in an unusual direction. She started collecting data on the various fields, mapping their yield, analysing their short-term as well as long-term performance, and predicting where the best yield was likely to be. However, despite her efforts and predictions, all the coffee from the various plantations was still being sold to brokers and traders.

Hamsini’s dream was to bring their carefully nurtured coffee out of the oblivion and anonymity of bulk-traded coffee and give it an identity of its own. A few years ago, with encouragement from Mrs Sunalini Menon, she stepped into uncharted territory. No one in the extended family had ventured beyond established trading relationships. Hamsini travelled to Australia and built a partnership with “Five Senses”. After the visit, she was even more determined and convinced that she would succeed in marketing and branding the coffee. Once again, she relied on her computer and data management skills, but this time she extended the analysis to taste profiles. It also meant doing things differently on the ground, and processing various blocks differently.

The possibility that Hamsini saw resulted in the emergence of four different brands of coffee. Today, their coffee is sold in Australia, Korea and Germany under the brand names Veer Attikan, Mountain Trishul, Mountain Ganga and Mountain Vana. Today, Indian coffees have gained recognition in the world market, but this has happened only because women like Hamsini have been bold enough to make a change. A big step for her as an individual and a shift in mindset for her family resulted in recognition and pride on a world platform.

Today, she has buyers knocking on her door, booking the coffee months in advance. Some return with less than they had hoped for. With the additional revenue, Hamsini can plan to set up a roasting and blending unit. But it is education for the girl children on the farms that tugs at her heart. She sees their happy little faces, content with living in isolation, happy to let their brothers go to school while they stay at home and do the housework, the way it has always been. This has to change, thinks Hamsini. And knowing Hamsini, I am sure it will!

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I am my Inspiration: the Strength of A Woman – by Rose Karimi

10/3/2014

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Rose and her family at her graduation

Strong women

Did I mention that I am a daring woman? Yes, I gave birth the same day I traveled from Nyeri to Nairobi (200 km distance) to visit the Nairobi Coffee Exchange: an academic tour that is scheduled only once a year and for all students.

I got pregnant with my second child while undergoing my certificate course in coffee technology at Dedan Kimathi University. My relatives and friends had suggested that I terminate my studies to take care of my forthcoming baby.

Deep inside me, I had the will with a very positive attitude that I would make it. "How will you all handle this?" they asked with care.

BACK IN CLASS

After a lengthy talk with my husband, he was willing to fully support me: financially and morally.

Back in Kimathi, I worked extra harder in class since I had not only to study, but to take care of my two-year old baby. My due date was early May. But wait a minute; my baby was born in mid-April! Nevertheless, determined as I was, I would never miss any activity outside class, let alone class work.

VISIT TO THE COFFEE EXCHANGE

I woke up on a normal day, but with slight discomfort. I prepared myself and joined my colleagues for the educational day ahead.

The journey was swift to Nairobi, learning was enjoyable. The discomforts intensified by the time we were driving back to Nyeri.

I was taken to the hospital that same evening and after two hours, baby Njeri was born.

And only three weeks later, I was back in class completely multitasking! I had to look for a small house around the university vicinity: I was living in an area with only students around with me, my kids and the nanny. I looked awkward, but I didn’t mind. I had promise myself that I will exclusively breastfeed my baby for six months. Surprisingly, I managed to do that and continue my studies.

I performed quite well and my family cheerfully celebrated for me during my graduation.

The wise saying goes: they who travel faster are those who go alone, but those who go farther are those who travel together.

This journey could have been tiresome and heartbreaking, but without the support of my family, I couldn't have gone this far. Life has been exciting, full of activities and growth. Being a wife, a mother and a manager hasn't been easy, but I count myself among the heroes. And remember: all the so-called ‘secrets of success’ will not work unless you do!

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No person was ever remembered for what she received: she will be remembered for what she gave - by Ines Ciza

CHANGE: THE STORY OF HAMSINI APPADURAI by Urvashi Malhotra

I am my Inspiration: the Strength of A Woman – by Rose Karimi

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