Muungano

Muungano Cooperative Specialty Coffee Creates “Togetherness” in Congo Coffee Communities

Women, despite being responsible for up to 80% of Congo coffee farms labor, are undervalued, under-compensated and generally oppressed. Literacy and basic education opportunities are markedly lower for Congolese women. Few have an equal voice in basic household finances, and even fewer own property or comprise leadership roles in local governments or coffee cooperatives. Gender-based violence, including sexual assault, is extremely prevalent; in many cases, it has been systematically employed as a weapon of war to destabilize communities. According to a 2007 DRC Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 1.8 million women in the DRC have been raped, and 3.37 million have suffered sexual violence at the hands of their intimate partners. However, Muungano Cooperative specialty coffee communities are working to empower their female Congo coffee farming members. Since 2014, numerous farming communities in the South Kivu region have partnered with On the Ground to create gender equity programs and expand the role of women in regional coffee production. Initiatives promote peace and gender equality while working to break the chains of poverty and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By purchasing a bag of our Muungano Cooperative specialty coffee, you can create positive impacts in the communities of this coffees producers. Muungano means “Togetherness” in Swahili. Together we create positive impacts in the communities of this coffee’s producers. Click here to learn more about supporting Project Congo.

The Bottom Line

This organic red bourbon coffee from the Muungano Cooperative is a floral, structured addition to our trekker series line up. We are tasting notes of chamomile, orange blossom and dates in the cup in this retuning favorite from D.R. Congo.

Thank you to Cooperative Coffees for helping us tell the story of our friends in the Muungano Cooperative.