Living with coffee, motivated by coffee – by Rose Karimi

Rose (in center) with fellow Kenyan women in coffee

Living and working with coffee

Regina Mwangi: a mentor for many young women in Kenya

Waking up each day to work in the coffee industry is turning out to be the greatest experience in my life. Ever since I joined Dedan Kimathi University of Technology to study coffee, I have experienced vigorous growth and satisfaction.  All motivated by the issues revolving around coffee. It is through coffee that I am capable of earning a living. This is similar to several other women who earn their living through this valuable commodity along the value and quality chain.

Big encounter.
Meeting with the key players and great people around the world of coffee has changed the lifestyle of a number of the women. As women, having undergone similar challenges attaining successful missions and sharing incredible personal experiences and encounters has yielded ambitious women who are willing to change their livelihoods in order to definitely help prosper the community.

Regina Mwangi, who has been my mentor, has also been a big motivation for several young women in Kenya who can pick up from her example. Her effort to pursue her Master’s degree in "Coffee Economics and Science" thanks to the Ernesto Illy Foundation in Italy and her persistent spirit has made her retain and steer a position in the Kenyan coffee industry today. She has really mentored several young women into leaders. A part from being a mentor, Regina’s high spirit and passion of result-orientated goals is a sure inspiration in general and as far as coffee issues are concerned in my life.

The social network.
I thank God that we have different bodies pulling the effort of women together such as the Women in the world of coffee that is helping to turn the world around through a quiet revolution. It is one of the greatest motivations for women around the globe today. Getting in touch with different coffee players and getting updated on events happening around us is a major stimulus. Thanks to this blogging opportunity, it is a perfect platform for the women to influence the world positively their best way possible.

I believe all the lady bloggers have untapped potential that can now be tapped through the blog and take coffee issues to the next level in their respective countries...thumps up for this blog and all the women who have really been supportive to see fellow young ladies be empowered and become driven.

We are a product of our association and the coffee world is indeed a fascinating reality!