Brewing “Peace” Among Jewish, Muslim and Christian Coffee Farmers

At times, a really inspiring project arises that offers an opportunity to weave together the most important threads of social justice and religious acceptance. Mirembe Kawomera "Delicious Peace" Coffee is such a project. The coffee comes from the Fair Trade Certified™ Peace Kawomera Cooperative in Eastern Uganda, formed in 2004 as a strong interfaith alliance of 558 Jewish, Christian, and Muslim coffee farmers. The co-op produces high quality Arabica coffee, and is sold as "Mirembe Kawomera 'Delicious Peace' Coffee" by Thanksgiving Coffee Co., which has established a close partnership with the co-op.

The farmers and their communities made a conscious commitment in 2004 to work together across religious lines for the benefit of all, and to demonstrate that peace among religions is possible. "We think this farmer coalition is unique in all of Africa," said cooperative director JJ Keki. "Today the world is in pain. We want to prove that a better way is to be proud of who you are, respect each other, and make something great together."

Mr. Keki organized the Peace Kawomera Cooperative, located in the rich coffee-growing slops of the Mt. Elgon Volcano in southeast Uganda, in 2004. Mr. Keki is a member of the Abayudaya ("Jewish people" in Luganda) community. Keki works with Kulanu, a U.S.-based NGO and long-time supporter of the Abayudaya. Kulanu's projects are designed to meet community needs and are intended for the benefit of all three faiths.

With assistance from Kulanu's Laura Wetzler and Keki's leadership, the Peace Kawomera Cooperative was able to introduce its story and coffee to Thanksgiving Coffee Co. in late 2004. Thanksgiving immediately agreed to buy the cooperative's entire crop at fair trade prices of $1.26 per pound. This year the coffee has achieved an Organic certification as well, which raises the fair trade price to $1.46 per pound.

For Paul Katzeff, CEO of Thanksgiving Coffee Co., the opportunity to support this extraordinary project represents the fulfillment of his 34 years as the innovative leader of the socially conscious coffee roaster: "The Members of the Mirembe Kawomera Cooperative in Uganda exemplify the hope and dreams of the 60's generation, my generation." Mr. Katzeff said, "Peace through tolerance, hope through cooperation, and justice born of equality. Deep in the heart of Africa 558 coffee farmers decided to grow the size of the pie instead of fighting over the scarce little there was. Their courage and creativity in this worldwide time of strife and conflict is a story that the world's leaders need to hear. I am proud of the fact that the universe brought this story to us at Thanksgiving Coffee Co., and now, let us all spread this story of coffee and peace. It's a story for all generations; their coffee is exquisite in both flavor and spirit."

For the past 20 years Thanksgiving Coffee Co. has worked with small-scale coffee farmers and their cooperatives in Latin America, focusing on Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico. The company's relationship with Nicaraguan farmers began in 1985 and culminated in a USAID-funded quality improvement project in 2001, which Mr. Katzeff directed.

After Joan Katzeff, President of Thanksgiving Coffee, visited Rwanda in 2003 at the invitation of Offices des Cafés da Rwanda, the company realized that the needs of small-scale family farmers in Africa were urgent and could not be ignored: "First visits to origin are generally outside the realm of my responsibility. But in the case of Rwanda, it became apparent that a whole series of events and underlying circumstances made the journey a calling that I could not ignore. The bond was instantaneous". Kulanu's Wetzler called the following year, and in the spring of 2005 Paul Katzeff arranged for a visit to Uganda after a previously scheduled trip to Rwanda.

Thanksgiving Coffee is determined to support these Ugandan farmers and their example of peace and tolerance. The company has established a profit-sharing program to help the cooperative fund community projects in education, healthcare and business development, and to build increased capacity to grow and process more coffee. One dollar from the sale of every package is donated to the Peace Kawomera Cooperative with the goal of raising an additional $74,000 over the course of this year to support peace and cooperation in Uganda.

Thanksgiving Coffee has committed to grow sales as the cooperative increases its production. "We are just fundraisers for small coffee-growing villages around the world," Katzeff affirmed. "The cultivation of coffee is a noble profession, one which, however, needs consumers. We urge people to buy, drink, and enjoy this wonderful tasting coffee from Peace Kawomera Cooperative."

Thanksgiving Coffee Company has just announced a call to action through the Mirembe Challenge. The Mirembe Challenge is an ambitious program that seeks to build a market for 74,000 pounds of coffee by September 30, 2006. It envisions:

Or seen another way:

If you or your community is interested in participating in the Mirembe Challenge, or in the Mirembe project on any level, please contact Holly Moskowitz at holly@thanksgivingcoffee.com. To learn more, please visit TCC's website at www.mirembekawomera.com.

What is in your cup?