Akagera Urubyiruko - Natural - Rwanda

We were introduced to Emmanuel by the kind souls at 1000 Faces. Ben Bowdoin started Sundog Trading just to get coffees from Baho to the U.S. and into good homes. Our first conversation with Emmanuel via Whatsapp was wonderful, deep, and rich, and we had an instant connection! He shared his heart through his story and we are so grateful for that vulnerability and for the work he’s doing in Rwanda to ensure producers are getting paid a fair wage for their coffees.

Of Baho, Emmanuel says, “Baho’s vision on community is guided by having a synergetic relationship with the community of farmers that we work with, where we guide them, and by creating solutions in a replicable, sustainable, and scalable manner. Those things lead to economic growth and poverty reduction. Our overall vision is implied by the meaning of our name, Baho, which in our local language means live/life. It is like a tree that grows up and has branches, flowers, and fruits yet still keeps its roots in the ground. Baho is born, grows up, and sells coffee both locally and internationally and never forgets the origin.”

URUBYIRUKO:
Meaning youth in Kinyarwanda, Urubyiruko is a newer lot separation that began during the 2022 harvest. The creation of this group is a direct investment towards the future of coffee in Rwanda, as it’s composed of farmers that are all under the age of 35 and new to coffee growing. Emmanuel’s goal is to inspire a younger generation to invest in the coffee sector and dedicate themselves to working in tandem with Baho Coffee. So far the Urubyiruko groups have been incredibly understanding of Baho’s vision. Everyone shows interest in change, and they’re excited about the future.  Many of their farms are brand new, with trees that have just started to produce fruits. They’ve been working with the Baho team over the past few seasons to learn best practices; and thus, many are now focusing more on composting, intercropping, and shade tree planting.

NIYIBIZI BONAVENTURE NGIRINSHUTI ISAE
BYIRINGIRO Seith BAHIGASENGA Vianney
Bizimungu Damascene NIYOBUHUNGIRO Boneur
NIYOGISUBIZO ROSINE UWASE KELIA
MUTONIWASE BENITA NIYOMUGABO CYIZA
NYIRANSABIMANA Dina HAGENIMANA Frank
KOMEZUSENGE Nason DUSHIMIMANA Oscar
BIGIRIMANA Boniface UZAMUSHAKA Jeanne
UZAMUKUNDA Marcienne NAHAYO Etienne
IYAKAREMYE DONATIEN UWIMANA MADORINE
NIKUZE Constantine UZAMUSHAKA Prisca
MUKARURANGWA Clarisse KOMEZUSENGE GRATIEN
UKOBIZABA THEOPHILE HAGENIMANA Ethienne
Ntamuhanga Emmauel