In Rwanda, where women make up the majority of coffee labor, a cooperative of 30 women in Rubavu, Western Province, banded together in 2015 with a meaningful goal. Naming their cooperative Tuvemubukene, meaning “to get out of poverty”, the women organized a structure with a focus on improving cash flow and income stability to support one another across the cooperative and break the cycle of agricultural poverty known to so many here.

By supplementing their coffee-growing income with diversified revenue streams like basketmaking and clothing, the women of Tuvemubukene began a new cycle for their members—one of better income and self-sufficiency—that has grown through the years. Now with more than 65 members, the Tuvemubukene Women’s Cooperative is becoming known for both quality coffee and a socially sustainable approach to coffee in this region.

Coffees from the Co-op are delivered to the Nyamyumba washing station, which accepts only cherry at peak ripeness. Coffee here is sorted before being sun-dried on raised beds, then sorted again.

This coffee came to us through the relationship coffee experts at Sustainable Harvest, whose Women’s Coffee Sourcing Program seeks to elevate women’s unequal status in coffee production through coffee skills education, advocacy, leadership development, and concrete incentives to improve quality and meet their goals.

Farm: Tuvemubukene Cooperative
Region: Western Province
Altitude: 1,500–2,000 MASL
Variety: Bourbon
Processing: Natural
Tasting notes: Strawberry, Blueberry, Plum, Black Tea, Milk Chocolate