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For years, since their coffee sector was basically decimated by war, Congolese farmers, including those who are now members of the Kawa Kanzururu cooperative, were forced to smuggle their coffee across borders to find buyers. They’ve had no support from the international buying community, and their productivity and infrastructure suffered. But now, the door is open for development and a better future for these communities. 

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Through our exploration of Congolese coffee and relationships developed there over the past few years, we have been introduced to the farmers of Kawa Kanzururu--a young cooperative demonstrating an innovative economic model for surrounding communities--and also to the incredible work of the Virunga Alliance, which provides essential jobs, protects biodiversity, and guards critically endangered mountain gorillas within Virunga National Park. Here at Higher Grounds, we want to shine a light on those who have begun to rebuild the infrastructure necessary for sharing the DRC's incredible coffee with the world.

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This January, On the Ground, Cooperative Coffees, and Maya Vinic are hosting an origin trip unlike any other.

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Author's note: I traveled to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in May of this year, to participate in the third annual Saveur du Kivu and visit with Higher Grounds' producer partners at the Muungano coffee farmers cooperative. road |rōd| noun 1. a wide way leading from one place to another, especially...

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Collaboration is power. Through Saveur du Kivu and all it represents, the specialty coffee industry in the Democratic Republic of Congo is shifting towards a brighter future.

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