Alamaza Mabende 36 years old, Muslim, joined Peace Kawomera in 2006
Photo: Holly Moskowitz, 2009
What does Peace Kawomera mean to you?
The cooperative has improved on coffee sales compared to the past.
What does the Peace Kawomera Cooperative mean to you and your family?
We love it so much because of the quality they require. The price is also very good. People who work with Peace Kawomera are like wives; they are always faithful. They don’t cheat us. The Cooperative is always there for us when we need her.
What was life like before Peace Kawomera?
Life before wasn’t easy. We had to bring our coffee to town, instead of delivering just to the Cooperative. After traveling all day with our coffee, a representative from the Bugisu Coffee Co. would give us a receipt for our coffee but we wouldn’t get paid. We were told to come back with the receipt, but there was no way to trace the transaction. They took our coffee and we never got money. It was very hard.
What has been the greatest change in your life since joining Peace Kawomera?
Life has changed. Before people didn’t know how to look after their coffee. Peace Kawomera brought a teacher. The farmer isn’t scared of losing his coffee at the Cooperative either. The farmer brings his coffee, gets paid right away, and knows that it is ok to leave his crop with the Cooperative. They will take it from there. Before, many farmers abandoned their coffee gardens, but when Peace Kawomera came, the farmer revived it.
What do you do when you are not harvesting coffee?
When it is off-season, I do brick making.
Did you face any religious discrimination before Peace Kawomera formed?
JJ has a zeal for peace. JJ was helpful in making peace even stronger.
How many children live in your home?
6, but we lost one.
What does Fair Trade mean to you?
When I compare Fair Trade to regular prices, I send a great appreciation. I buy local poultry with the extra payments.
What are your hopes for the future?
I wish to construct a bigger house. I know my hard work will lead to a better life.