Growing Peace Through A Ugandan Coffee Bean

If you haven’t heard the inspiring story already you must find a way to see the documentary “Delicious Peace Grows in a Ugandan Coffee Bean,” directed by  Curt Fissel. The film tells a story we can all learn from.

 In 2003 J.J. Keki , a Ugandan coffee farmer had a dream. To make his dream a reality he walked door to door and asked his Jewish, Christian and Muslim neighbors to put their differences aside for the benefit of all. They were all third and fourth generation coffee farmers struggling to make a living with  low local coffee prices.

The farmers did put difference aside and formed the Peace Kawomera Cooperative.  With help from Laura Wetzler from the US-based organization Kulanu, and  Paul Katzeff, CEO of Thanksgiving Coffee Company in Fort Bragg, CA,  these Jewish, Christian and Muslim farmers formed a coffee cooperative that is not only sharing delicious coffee around the world but also showing by example that  differences can be put aside, and with dialog and partnerships in their place, a delicious peace can grow as well.

The coop has grown from a few hundred farmers to around 1200 and has expanded to cocoa and vanilla. To learn more, support the coop and learn about purchasing coffee products visit www.thanksgiving coffee.com.