How 'despised' coffee sorting has transformed women in Kigali

Yvonne Ukwitegetse is one of the many women who sort coffee for SOPECAF Coffee exporters. She has been doing this work for over seven years. With their duty station at National Agriculture Exports Board (NAEB) offices located in Gikondo, over 65 women are earning a living from this work, which many despise. “I have always been passionate about coffee. In fact, my love for coffee dates way back to when I was growing up. At home, we practiced coffee farming on about three hectares of land,” Ukwitegetse says. Coffee is one of Rwanda’s primary exports; constituting 25 percent of the country’s agricultural exports. The women, who are employed by SOPECAF, happily sort coffee at NAEB premises. Rwanda’s premium coffee has on several occasions been ranked among the best in the world by international coffee cuppers. Behind this flourishing industry which raked in about $59.68million in coffee exports last year, up from $ 54.9 million in 2013, are women like Ukwitegetse. Ukwitegetse says this casual job has transformed lives of many women including her. “I remember I had a debt which I had failed to pay for a long time but through our savings union, I managed to clear it. My children on the other hand are also able to go to school plus I am able to take care of myself,” she says However, she says that despite this, their wages are little compared to their input. “One of our challenges is the issue of little wages. We used to earn Rwf700 per day and it was increased to Rwf1500, but it’s little considering that our job is seasonal, it is not an all-year round job,” Ukwitegetse says. Though coffee sorting is seasonal, most women say that the job has tremendously improved their family status. She advises women to keep doing the job because, however small the income is, at the end of the day, half a loaf is better than none. Marie Rose Munezero is a 35-year-old woman who started sorting coffee in the early 90s. She says that sorting coffee is now part of her life and she has managed to accomplish a lot from coffee sorting. “I have done a lot of things I wouldn’t have done if I dint have this job. I have managed to have my own house. Such an achievement may seem hard but if one embraces a savings culture, it is possible to achieve what you want. My children are in school and I at least help my husband with half of the bills at home,” she says Munezero however, says that just like any other job, challenges are bound to surface. “Our wages are still low. We love what we do but if only we could earn something higher to better our lives and those of our families,” she says She is however thankful for the little she earns saying that many people dream to be where she is, something that she never takes for granted. SOPECAF employs around 65 women. 38-year-old Florentine Murahabimana who multitasks in supervision of coffee pickers plus knitting and labeling of coffee sacks is another beneficiary from this work. On a good day, Murahabimana goes home with at least Rwf60,000. “Before I joined this line of work, I used to earn a living from sewing clothes with the help of needles, something that made my work really complicated. After I started working here, I managed to save and bought two sewing machines that cost me Rwf500,000 each. This eased my work and I have not looked back since,” she says. She urges NAEB to organize everyone who sorts coffee under a cooperative. She believes that through that, workers will gain more expertise through advanced training courtesy of the cooperative. “Our job to sort coffee seems simple but it’s very important. We have all the documents that are necessary for us to start a cooperative, the only thing missing is a go-ahead from NAEB. I believe that if we are given a go ahead, everything will change for the better, be it our lives or even the quality of our coffee as it will be handled by experts,” Murahabimana says. Two hands are better than one: The women say that their job has improved their lives. (All photos by Donah Mbabazi) NAEB’s Public Relations and Communications Officer; Pie Ntwari says that his institution is committed to working closely and supporting coffee cooperatives to enable them achieve their goals and in turn improve the quality of coffee exports. “NAEB has supported cooperatives that sort coffee through training programmes especially at the induction level where new workers are equipped with skills like knowing which coffee is ranked high and which is ranked low and why they are ranked that way enabling them to make a clear distinction in terms of quality,” he said The agricultural body is also finalising the construction of a new building that will facilitate issues like lunch for the workers,” Ntwari reveals. editorial@newtimes.co.rw I say: Coffee has changed our lives Solange Uwase Solange Uwase I have been sorting coffee for 7 years and I am proud to say they have been the best years of my working life. Since the day I started working here, I greatly lessened the burden of family expenses for my husband. It’s more comfortable for everyone because I manage to contribute my share as a working partner. Yvonne Ukwitegetse Yvonne Ukwitegetse Working here has opened many opportunities for me. I have been able to join women cooperatives where we lend and borrow money from each other and this has helped me learn how to save. I am also happy that I atleast now can also contribute towards making my home better through assisting my husband. Ephiphania Muhawenimana Ephiphania Muhawenimana Sorting coffee has given me an opportunity to contribute to the development of my country. Whenever I hear our coffee being ranked the best in several international exhibitions, I am overwhelmed by great happiness and pride because it makes me feel that my work is important. Julienne Muhawenimana Julienne Muhawenimana For most women, one of the most difficult and painful things is being unemployed and that was the situation for most of us before we came to work here. Since I started sorting coffee, I feel that there is a promise for a better future for myself and my family. Florentine Nyirahabimana Florentine Nyirahabimana Coffee has helped me to be self reliant. It was burdening to ask my husband for everything. Looking back, I realise that staying home was more challenging with all the accumulating family expenses. I enjoy my work and when good results are registered, I always feel proud because sorting the coffee is the foundation of whether one gets a great cup of coffee or not. Marie Rose Munezero Marie Rose Munezero The fact that I have what to do now is greatly impressive to me personally. It is more satisfying when the coffee we pick daily wins awards on the international market which eventually not only makes me proud of my work but fills my heart with a sense of pride that our tireless efforts are not in vain. Financially, I can only tell you that it gets better every day. Compiled by Dennis Agaba

Lifestyle

How 'despised' coffee sorting has transformed women in Kigali