In May 2009, our own coffee artisan and native of Brazil, Angelo Oricchio, traveled to the great continent of Africa for two very special events.

Angelo’s first stop was Gishoma, Cyangugu, in Rwanda.  Through our partnership with Michigan State University and the PEARL (Partnership to Enhance Agriculture in Rwanda through Linkage) Project, proceeds from the sales of our One Thousand Hills Fair Trade Rwanda coffee were officially donated to the Cocagi Cooperative.  The cooperative, with approximately 1,300 farmers, is a small nucleus that encompasses the washing station for processing coffee, a small open market, church, and schools.

With the help of locals, a percentage of the proceeds were used to purchase 400 goats that were presented to the cooperative.  The goats will provide the cooperative members and their families with a virtually endless supply of milk, food, and fertilizer.