About Rwanda Fugi Ikizere
Our brand new coffee is a natural processed anaerobic coffee, produced by 60 women farmers in the Sothern Province of Rwanda. During the harvest season, the coffee cherries are selectively handpicked from the coffee plants by female farmers. The cherries are then placed in large barrels and are left to ferment for up to 100 hours. 
 
Following fermentation, the cherries are transferred to raised beds to dry in the hot African sun for up to 55 days, the cherries are frequently raked to ensure even drying. Once dried the dried cherry is removed leaving only the coffee bean which is the ‘pit’ of the cherry.
 
Proudly produced by women
Being a single mother in patriarchal society like Rwanda is quite challenging and they frequently face a lot of stigma, isolation and depression. In order to support single mothers, Baho Coffee Company initiated a solidarity group where single mothers could join together over coffee farming and also find friendship and hope. The women chose the name “Ikizere” for their group because it means “hope” in Kinyarwanda and that is what they felt the group represented.
 
Ikizere women’s group meets regularly to share their experiences, learn from each other and their successes. Baho supports the women with training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), coffee cultivation and high-quality processing. Baho also provides training in other skills including financial literacy, weaving and animal husbandry to help women diversify their income and be successful. The women also receive health care and short-term loans for family needs and Baho helped build a source of clean drinking water in their community that everyone can access.
 
Ikizere has become so successful, that married women are now requesting to join the group so that they can access the benefits the single mothers in the group now have. Ikizere’s single mothers have chosen to share their successes and have welcomed other women into their group.
 
We roast this coffee to-order in small batches from our Northumberland based roastery to ensure optimum freshness and flavour by the time it makes it into your mug.
 
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