Just Coffee's First Delegation to Africa!
Posted by jeffbessmer at about 6am on Sunday April 18, 2010
Our delegation has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after navigating around the cloud of volcanic ash that is hovering above Europe. The first thing I have learned: be persistent but friendly about getting your tickets rerouted if you need them to be.
Anyhow, an introduction to the delegation is in order. When we talk about Just Coffee's Fair Trade coffee from East Africa, we are talking about three producer cooperatives in three countries:
- Oromia Cooperative Union in the southwestern Oromia region of Ethiopia
- Gumutindo Cooperative in eastern Uganda
- Mt. Meru Growers Association in northern Tanzania
We are visiting all three of these cooperatives (in the above order). Tomorrow we board a van to take us 8 hours south to the coffee producing Oromia region. This is where the Oromia Cooperative operates and where many of its 128,361 owning households are located. Oromia is a cooperative owned by 34 smaller farmer-owned cooperatives.
Behold, Addis Ababa, Capital of Ethiopia:
More to come soon!
"gumutindoooooo, to the wall!"
Hey Jeff!
So glad you were able to catch a flight and enlighten us all with your travels. I am at the edge of my seat to read more about your travels, especially Gumutindo, as I'm hoping that Equal Exchange will send another delegation soon, too, and maybe I could tag along ... without mudslides this time!
Safe travels and love from Madison!
Rachie T.
Oh! and as always, power to the farmers!
JEFF'S LANDING IN ETHIOPIA
Jeff,
It's delightful to see your healthy and cheerful self, standing by the Just Coffee kiosk. Is this in a typical market? What does the tag say that's hanging around your neck?
Good luck with the eight-hour van ride.
How many hours separate Madison from East Africa?
Ciao,
Jeannie Block Bessmer