As a Kiva fellow, I got the opportunity to work with two organisations that have always fascinated me with the kind of work they do. The first being Kiva and the second, Juhudi Kilimo, a for-profit social enterprise and microfinance institution in Kenya.
I have lived in Kenya for several years, but prior to the Kiva Fellows Program, I have never travelled as extensively or interacted with local...
Stories tagged with coffee
Sep 9, 2018
Kenya
Mar 3, 2017
Cameroon
Determination. Adaptability. Patience. Love. These are the key virtues you need when you embark on a journey through coffee and cocoa plantations in Cameroon, ready for an epic and folkloric adventure.
Folks, next time that you enjoy your favourite chocolate bar or sip your matinal double expresso, I hope you’ll remember the stories that follow, the story of Joseph, Ella, Beatrice, Simon and many others who, hopefully, you will decide to support after reading this.
Despite being the 5th biggest... Continue Reading >>
Determination. Adaptability. Patience. Love. These are the key virtues you need when you embark on a journey through coffee and cocoa plantations in Cameroon, ready for an epic and folkloric adventure.
Folks, next time that you enjoy your favourite chocolate bar or sip your matinal double expresso, I hope you’ll remember the stories that follow, the story of Joseph, Ella, Beatrice, Simon and many others who, hopefully, you will decide to support after reading this.
Despite being the 5th biggest...
Aug 8, 2016
Timor-Leste
What could crocodiles, coffee and collective impact possibly have in common (other than some ingenious alliteration)? As a Kiva fellow, I spent a month in Timor Leste (East Timor) and found that these three things offer a taste of Timor through their importance in the past, present and future of the country.
First off, let’s take a step back. Timor Leste, where is that!? Timor Leste is one of the world’s newest and least... Continue Reading >>
What could crocodiles, coffee and collective impact possibly have in common (other than some ingenious alliteration)? As a Kiva fellow, I spent a month in Timor Leste (East Timor) and found that these three things offer a taste of Timor through their importance in the past, present and future of the country.
First off, let’s take a step back. Timor Leste, where is that!? Timor Leste is one of the world’s newest and least... Continue Reading >>
Sep 9, 2015
Peru
Shortly before leaving for my Kiva fellowship, I had an iced coffee so good that I thanked the barista. Today, I got to thank the man who grew the beans--not the actual beans, probably, but the kind of high-quality beans that must have gone into such a drink. Experts say that while Peru doesn't produce nearly the quantity of its famous neighbor, the quality of its coffee can be even bettter, in part because production is on such a small scale, mostly on tiny... Continue Reading >>
Shortly before leaving for my Kiva fellowship, I had an iced coffee so good that I thanked the barista. Today, I got to thank the man who grew the beans--not the actual beans, probably, but the kind of high-quality beans that must have gone into such a drink. Experts say that while Peru doesn't produce nearly the quantity of its famous neighbor, the quality of its coffee can be even bettter, in part because production is on such a small scale, mostly on tiny... Continue Reading >>
Sep 9, 2015
Palestinian Territory
A Kiva Borrower, who found success in selling Arabic Coffee in the streets of Jenin, inspired me to write about the beverage that millions of people wake up to in the AM, to as well as some Ramadan beverages commonly consumed in Palestine! (Video)
The Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan in Palestine is a highly anticipated, spiritual, and sometimes lazy time of year. Some businesses, anticipating the obligatory 16-hour fasting this year (from... Continue Reading >>
The Islamic Holy Month of Ramadan in Palestine is a highly anticipated, spiritual, and sometimes lazy time of year. Some businesses, anticipating the obligatory 16-hour fasting this year (from... Continue Reading >>
Jan 1, 2014
Colombia
I sat still listening to Antonio. His words carefully descended his hand-written business plan. His dreams on paper. A sip from sugarcane sweetened, hand-squeezed limonada. The cool stainless steel cup set next to a dormant orchid, one of the countless pots lining the rim of Antonio's flowering patio. I shifted my weight on the make-shift hardwood bench to get a better view of the family dog frozen in a sun-soaked, belly-rub slumber. On turning the final page, I... Continue Reading >>
Nov 11, 2013
Mexico
There are very few things I look forward to in the morning. Particularly here in Huatusco, Mexico I am not very fond of the ENORMOUS rooster next door that bellows 5am morning sermons to all the sinners (me) who dares to sleep in late. I also don’t look forward to having to uncover myself from my soft, warm and protective blankets that shield me from the cold, bitter mornings. However, the light at the end of the tunnel for me is knowing that my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, which is usually accompanied by a black cup of coffee.
... Continue Reading >>
There are very few things I look forward to in the morning. Particularly here in Huatusco, Mexico I am not very fond of the ENORMOUS rooster next door that bellows 5am morning sermons to all the sinners (me) who dares to sleep in late. I also don’t look forward to having to uncover myself from my soft, warm and protective blankets that shield me from the cold, bitter mornings. However, the light at the end of the tunnel for me is knowing that my favorite meal of the day is breakfast, which is usually accompanied by a black cup of coffee.
... Continue Reading >>
Jul 7, 2013
Nicaragua
For the past three months I’ve had the pleasure of working with an exciting new Kiva partner. PAC (Association for People in Community Action) is an agriculturally focused economic development organization in Nicaragua. They specialize in rural productive value chain integration by offering their clients three primary services: loans, technical assistance, and access to markets.
Loans
PAC offers microcredit to meet a variety... Continue Reading >>
Loans
PAC offers microcredit to meet a variety... Continue Reading >>
Jul 7, 2013
Costa Rica
Going to bars or clubs before they open is always strange: music is loudly thumping, lights are moving festively across walls and floors and bartenders are standing at the ready with bottles open and kegs tapped. All of this is happening while the bar is completely empty, making it an eerie experience that I typically attempt to avoid. But, I was on a mission this night.
The reason that I arrived at this trendy bar so early was to help with the setting up of an event to raise funds for Café Pendiente, an initiative that began here in Costa Rica one month ago. Caf... Continue Reading >>
The reason that I arrived at this trendy bar so early was to help with the setting up of an event to raise funds for Café Pendiente, an initiative that began here in Costa Rica one month ago. Caf... Continue Reading >>
Jun 6, 2013
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a land of beautiful beaches and some of the world's most astounding natural wonders. But, more than anything, Costa Rica is a land of coffee. Coffee in the morning, coffee at noon, coffee after lunch and coffee with dinner. Coffee not only powers your average Costa Rican worker through the day, but is also one of the country's biggest economic drivers.
So, it is with alarm that I note that I've only been in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks, but almost every Kiva borrower that I... Continue Reading >>
So, it is with alarm that I note that I've only been in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks, but almost every Kiva borrower that I... Continue Reading >>