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Shyira - Rwanda - Washed

BROWN SUGAR  |  BLACKCURRANT  |  GRAPEFRUIT

Producer: Shyira
Region: Nyabihu
MASL: 2000
Process: Washed
Varieties: Red Bourbon
Roasting Profile:  Espresso, Aeropress, French Press

Please note, if you're selecting 500g, you will receive 2 x 250g bags.

On 7th May 2020, devastating rains, flooding and heavy mudslides hit the Nyabihu District in northern Rwanda. Nyabihu is home to the families that produce the popular Shyira and Vunga coffees that you may know and love. 

We are deeply saddened to report that 28 members of these communities lost their lives in the flood.
More information is below.

Donate here:



On 7th May 2020, devastating rains, flooding and heavy mudslides hit the Nyabihu District in northern Rwanda. Nyabihu is home to the families that produce the popular Shyira and Vunga coffees that you may know and love.

We are deeply saddened to report that 28 members of these communities lost their lives in the flood.

Communities in Shyira and Vunga have lost loved ones, and their livelihoods. Physical losses include at least 325 homes (with many more farmers displaced), livestock, coffee trees and other crops. Viital community and utility infrastructure has also been destroyed including 36 classrooms, 12 churches, a healthcare centre, the Vunga market, and electrical and water supplies.

For some of you this message will speak very close to home, having either visited these communities in person, purchased for your cafe, or to enjoy and brew at home. For those that have not, this is a still critical call for action.

For the more than 200 families that deliver coffee to Shyira and Vunga the direct cost to replace lost crops and buildings has reached USD $132,000. An estimated USD $41,000 is required immediately to help deliver food, water, and clothing to those who have lost their homes. Research is ongoing and the cost estimate continues to climb. You can access the full Loss Ledger, as of May 26th, here.
 
In addition, land may no longer be suitable for planting - farmers have lost not only their crops and income for the coming season, but the assets that they could use to earn future income. This is on top of the impacts of COVID-19 that were already reducing the income of farmers this season.
 
The destroyed crops and livestock were truly essential to daily life. In Nyabihu, farming families rely on coffee for 65% of their income, with average household incomes being less than USD $700 per annum. While the government is working to the best of its capability to respond in the current economic environment, additional support for farmers is critically needed.
Donate here:
Info about the coffee:

A short drive from the Vunga Cooperative nestled in the stunning hills of the Nyabihu District in Rwanda lies Shyira. This relatively small coffee washing station (CWS) is the baby of Muraho Trading Company (MTCo), who supply our Rwandans. 

 

The drive to Shyira is incredible. It’s clear from the geography itself to see how much potential this area has. With high altitude and very steep hills, Shyira has the natural building blocks for producing excellent coffee; the station itself is literally on the side of a steep hill. We also had the opportunity to meet some of the farmers who have their cherry processed at Shyira CWS. We saw how selective they are with their picking, so before the coffee is even processed it’s off to a great start! Their cherry then goes through the rigorous quality control stages of all of MTCo’s stations. Even though this is the first harvest year for Shyira, the different lots continuously stood out on the cupping table when we were selecting coffees in Rwanda.