Exploring Economic Opportunities and Cooperation

I am sorry we have been missing for the last couple of days; we have been having problems with the internet here in Nabagoye.  We are back and excited to share what we have been up to the last couple of days.

Barak sorting fresh coffee beans

Hand pollinating the vanilla bean (no wonder they're so expensive!)

On Wednesday, our first full day in Nabagoye, we had a great opportunity to learn about two different ways that the community supports itself economically. We started the day by visiting the Coffee Co-operative Mirembe Kawomera. This group of over 750 Jewish, Muslim and Christian farmers grows and exports coffee and vanilla and is starting to grow cocoa beans. The group has a developed a strong leadership structure that gives the power to farmers and allows for the group, made up of different religions, to work together to provide a better life for their families. On our visit we learned about how coffee is grown and saw the many of the steps between the red cherry that is picked off the vine to the tasty cup of coffee that we enjoy every morning.  After our visit, I am inspired to support the development of strong cooperative businesses and I have a new found appreciation for the work that goes into my morning cup of coffee. If you want to learn more about the cooperative you can visit their website.

Grinding the roasted beans

The Abayudaya Women's Association

After a tasty lunch of fry bread, beans and gnut sauce (very similar to peanut sauce), we spent the afternoon with the Abudaya Women’s Association. This group of over 70 Jewish women (only about 10 came to meet us) gathers throughout the region and supports one another in three areas: religion, social and personal support and economic development. Our conversation, which included three generations of women, included everything from gardens, to torah study to their jewelry business. I was struck by the love, support and creativity present within the group and I am excited about the new necklaces I am bringing how for myself and my friends and family.

Buying paper bead bracelets from the Abayudaya Women's Association

 Today was especially meaningful to me because I was able to see how the lessons I am learning at school, I am an MBA candidate at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, and through my work at Hacienda CDC in Portland is relevant all over the world, even in rural Uganda.

Alison Brown


Here are some more pictures from the day for you to enjoy

A typical daily chore

Girl carrying matoke

One of JJ Keki's 25 (!) children.  JJ is a founder of the coffee co-op