The word Hingakawa means “let’s grow coffee” – but there’s much more to this saying than just coffee. It’s a symbol of the resilience these women coffee farmers demonstrated after surviving years of tragedy in Rwanda. Banding together to create something good out of something terrible with Rwanda Hingakawa coffee.

From enemies to allies

After losing family members and friends during the mass genocide, many women had no choice but to embrace those who were once seen as enemies, and become allies. This is how the Hingakawa co-op was created. Women suddenly became in charge of the household and earning incomes for their families. Creating a coffee co-op, where women had ownership in the business, was a way for these women to work together, and create peace.

A bond that’s more than just coffee

Years later, this co-op is producing some of the best Rwandan coffee we’ve had. We are so excited to be working with this farm two years in a row and buying small lots of their best crops. Going down to the farm transports you to an almost surreal experience. Hiking up the beautiful cascading mountains in Rishashi where the coffee trees grow is their daily commute. The women don’t stop smiling and you’ll find them chanting, “Hingakawa! Hingakawa!” when guests visit the farms. As their chants echo, you feel the energy and the unspoken bond they’ve created together, and you see that this is more than just coffee to them. It’s a new life they’ve created, for themselves and for generations to come.

Our Rwanda Hingakawa Natural Small Batch

This year’s Rwanda Hingakawa release is a natural processed coffee, dried in the sun to give your cup delicious notes of berry, dried fruit, and golden raisin. We love to brew it in a Hario V60, but this light roast coffee will taste great any way you brew it. You can pick up a bag in our online store.