Bwishaza - Kungahara, Rwanda
Bwishaza - Kungahara, Rwanda
Grade A1
Process: Washed & Carbonic maceration
Kungahara: "Be Rich"
Kungahara—meaning "be rich" in Kinyarwanda—is a women's group within the Bwishaza cooperative. The Bwishaza cooperative is a relatively young cooperative, formed in 2010, and many of the female members of the Kungahara group are much younger than the average Rwandan farmer.
Located in Rwanda's Western Province, Rutsiro District, Gihango Sector, the washing station sits in a secluded, mountainous area, accessible only by miles of dirt-track roads.
Led by Women, Driven by Innovation
The president, Angelique TUYISENGE, is energetic and leading the women with new ideas. Her vision and leadership have helped position Kungahara as an example of innovation in Rwandan coffee.
In 2017, the cooperative began working with Beautiful Coffee, a Korean non-profit. Beautiful Coffee helped with governance, funding for infrastructure, and training in quality, new processes (including natural processing), and marketing. They not only helped the cooperative start the Kungahara women's group—they supported marketing of the women's coffee by bringing Angelique to a major coffee trade show in Seoul in 2019.
Small Farms, Collective Strength
With 206 members in 2021, each woman tends trees on small farms of less than half a hectare. They meet in sub-groups called farmer field schools for training on best practices.
The typical day for a female Rwandan farmer is to work in the field in the morning, come home to cook for the family, then spend the afternoon at the market or doing other household chores.
A Unique Historical Context
The story of women in Rwandan coffee is unlike that of any other country. The 1994 genocide had two long-lasting effects relevant to coffee today.
First, it left a large percentage of Rwandan households headed by single women—either widowed or with spouses in prison. Many widows never remarried. Today, 14 percent of the total coffee farmer population is made up of widow heads of household.
Secondly, in the wake of the genocide, women made up about 65 percent of the surviving population and had little choice but to fill roles once occupied by men. As civil society was re-established, government leaders had the foresight and knowledge to constitutionalize strong participation of women. The Rwandan constitution requires 30% of all elected bodies to be women.
Today, 61% of Rwanda's national parliament is female—the highest female representation in a national-level parliament in the world.
Coffee's Economic Importance
Coffee is Rwanda's second largest foreign exchange earning sector, after tea. Rwanda's National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) actively promotes Rwandan coffee, and combined with the government's recognition of women's empowerment, has helped bring together resources for women in coffee.
Origin Details
Region: Western Province, Rutsiro District, Gihango Sector
Elevation: 1,700 - 2,000 meters
Variety: Arabica Bourbon (mix of BM 139, RAB C15, Jackson 2/1257)
Climate: 1,100 - 1,400 mm precipitation; moist humidity from Lake Kivu rises and cools against the high hills
Soil: Improving microbiology through SCA-trained agronomist leading farmer field schools
Taste Their Story
Every cup of Kungahara coffee represents the dedication, skill, resilience, and community of these remarkable women.
Photo credit: Artisan Coffee Imports