Breast Cancer Prevention Project in Rwanda

Responsible Coffee

At Mare Terra Coffee we are deeply committed to the development of social projects that generate a positive impact on coffee-growing communities. Through our philosophy of ‘responsible coffee’, we promote various cooperation initiatives in rural areas dedicated to coffee cultivation, promoting social, economic and environmental wellbeing.

For us, supporting our partners, the producers, is our top priority.

Rwanda is facing the future by progressively improving the national economy and creating a solid society that is moving forward to obtain the best results from its coffee. This is possible thanks to the intervention of cooperatives that regulate production and help the quality of life of coffee growers, giving way to the notoriety of women and their rights in the labour activity. Today coffee is the livelihood of many families dedicated to its cultivation.

Goal

Organise educational workshops by health experts in Rwanda, focusing on the early detection of breast cancer through the teaching and practice of breast self-examination.

To whom it is addressed

Women coffee growers and collectors attached to the washing station in the Fugi region.

Application

It will be carried out by health professionals in Rwanda, with all organisation and management coordinated from the country of origin through Baho Coffee.

Funding

Through donations from Mare Terra Coffee and Baho Coffee with the sale of every kilo of Rwandan coffee.

Did you know that +70% of coffee production in Rwanda is carried out by women?

Mare Terra Coffee x Baho Coffee

Mare Terra Coffee, together with Baho Coffee, our partner in Rwanda, we have created the ‘Breast Cancer Prevention’ project, focused on the detection and prevention of breast cancer. Together we offer you the opportunity to be part of this important initiative, and what better way to contribute than by supporting it through our coffees.

Baho Coffe is a family business run by its owner Emmanuel Rusatira. Emmanuel works with over 16,000 coffee farmers and is the owner of 11 washing stations in Rwanda where they receive coffee cherries from smallholder farmers and cooperatives and process them into Green coffee ready for export.

What does the Project consist of?

The ‘Brest cancer project’ focuses on engaging the coffee community about the importance of early diagnosis for breast cancer screening in Rwanda. Through educational talks at different Baho Coffee washing stations, where our batches of coffee are produced, developed through traditional and modern processes.

These days are led by health experts, who provide information on breast cancer prevention to women and men who are part of the washing stations.

Mare Terra Coffee x Baho Coffee

What does the Project consist of?

These days are led by health experts, who provide information on breast cancer prevention to women and men who are part of the washing stations.

Project phases

2023 Phase I

In the spring of 2023, our team travelled to Rwanda together with Baho Coffee to carry out the first phase of the project at the Fugi washing station, located in the Kizi Rift coffee growing region in the Nyaruguru district.

During this phase, an educational talk on breast cancer prevention and detection was given by Dr. Nasson Nduwamungu.

More than 150 community members, involved in the production of the Segin coffee lots at the Fugi washing station, were present at this educational session.

This event marked the beginning of the project and our ongoing commitment to promote the well-being of coffee communities.

2025 Phase III

In 2025, we will continue our breast cancer prevention project, which will focus on the completion of educational talks at the rest of the washing stations we work with in partnership with Baho Coffee. During this phase, we will seek not only to broaden the scope of our actions, but also to improve the training resources we offer.

Once the educational talks are over, we will continue to move forward with the objective of taking another step in our mission to raise awareness and support coffee-growing communities. These new initiatives will be developed according to the needs of the communities and the lessons learned in the previous phases.

Phase II 2024

2024 launched the second phase of the breast cancer prevention project. This year, the scope of the project was expanded, visiting new washing stations and reinforcing education on the importance of early detection and breast self-examination.

During phase 2, information talks were held at various washing stations, starting in Karambi and Muganza, with more than 150 participants, where we produce the Caph and Cih batches.

We also travelled to the coffee-growing district of Gatsibo, specifically to the Humure washing station, where we produced the Fulu batches, for a new preventive talk in which some 250 people participated, thus reinforcing trust and support within the coffee-growing community.

These sessions were again led by Dr. Naasson Nduwamungu, who, through an interactive approach, explained how to perform proper breast self-examination and how to recognise the early symptoms of breast cancer.

During this phase, information material was distributed, including leaflets with detailed graphics on breast self-examination, translated into the local language, and bracelets commemorating the project.

Project phases

2023 Phase I

During this phase, an educational talk on breast cancer prevention and detection was given by Dr. Nasson Nduwamungu.

More than 150 community members, involved in the production of the Segin coffee lots at the Fugi washing station, were present at this educational session.

This event marked the beginning of the project and our ongoing commitment to promote the well-being of coffee communities.

Phase II 2024

During phase 2, information talks were held at various washing stations, starting in Karambi and Muganza, with more than 150 participants, where we produce the Caph and Cih batches.

2025 Phase III

May 2023: The first action has been a success

Dr. Nasson Nduwamungu – Responsible for the educational session in Fugi

Early detection of breast cancer is the key to saving lives and protecting the community. But to achieve this, it is important to understand the disease and educate ourselves to mitigate the risks. Through seminars such as this one, self-examination and increased access to health centers we can protect our communities.

The project in data

+33.24 thousand Kilos

Of green coffee driving the project

+21

Batches produced

+3300

Euros collected

+74

Collaborating customers

+550

Participants in the talks

How can you collaborate in this project?

With every kilo of green coffee you buy from our Rwandan lots, you will be contributing directly to the project, as we are contributing €0.10 per kilo sold.
You can also support through additional voluntary donations to further this cause.
In addition, you have the opportunity to travel to Rwanda with Mare Terra Coffee and actively participate in the development of the project, helping to generate a direct impact on the coffee-growing communities.