Aklilu Kassa Chirissa & Biniyam Aklilu.
KELLENSOO, ETHIOPIA
Image with text
Our relationship began with coffee exporter Aklilu Kassa Chirissa (and his company Nardos Exports) in 2013. Aklilu was born and raised in the same community where our coffee comes from so finding ways to uplift the community has always been his top priority. Aklilu's son, Biniyam, has also now entered the same business with his own company, Gujoo Trading.
To make an impact at origin, our approach has always been to listen to the people in the communities where we work. In the case of Kellensoo, Ethiopia, the community identified the need for menstrual products for girls in primary and secondary school.
Since 2014, Think Coffee and Nardos Exports/Gujoo Trading have been buying and distributing menstrual kits for the primary and secondary school girls of Kellensoo, Ethiopia.
Think Coffee buys coffee from either Nardos Exports or Gujoo Trading because it is the most direct way possible in the region. To the extent we are safely able to in the current regional political climate, we have verified that the smallholder farmers received a fair and livable wage for their coffee.
fair and livable wages.
kellensoo, ethiiopia.
FAIR AND LIVABLE WAGE REPORT
THE STANDARD
Our goal is to ensure a fair and livable wage for everyone who works on the farm. A “fair and livable wage” is generally understood to mean a wage sufficient to enable workers and their families to meet their basic needs. In the case of Guji, Ethiopia, the area where Kellensoo is located, the Global Living Wage Coalition has determined that the minimum livable wage is $194 monthly for the year 2021, which was the year of our last harvest.
75%
OF THE WORLDS
COFFEE FARMERS
ARE ESTIMATED TO LIVE
BELOW THE POVERTY LINE
(PERFECT DAILY GRIND)
Meeting the standard
In Kellensoo, small family-operated farms sell coffee to our exporter, Gujoo Trading, who aggregates the coffee and sells it to us. Gujoo Trading pays the families a “farmgate” price.
In this context, smallholder farmers are the workers because they generally do not employ outside labor.
We have verified that on average the farmgate price paid by Gujoo, after business expenses are deducted, exceeded the standard established by the Global Living Wage Coalition.
kellensoo, ethiiopia.
FAIR AND LIVABLE WAGE REPORT
THE STANDARD
Our goal is to ensure a fair and livable wage for everyone who works on the farm. A “fair and livable wage” is generally understood to mean a wage sufficient to enable workers and their families to meet their basic needs. In the case of Guji, Ethiopia, the area where Kellensoo is located, the Global Living Wage Coalition has determined that the minimum livable wage is $194 monthly for the year 2021, which was the year of our last harvest.
75%
OF THE WORLDS
COFFEE FARMERS
ARE ESTIMATED TO LIVE
BELOW THE POVERTY LINE
(PERFECT DAILY GRIND)
Meeting the standard
In Kellensoo, small family-operated farms sell coffee to our exporter, Gujoo Trading, who aggregates the coffee and sells it to us. Gujoo Trading pays the families a “farmgate” price.
In this context, smallholder farmers are the workers because they generally do not employ outside labor.
We have verified that on average the farmgate price paid by Gujoo, after business expenses are deducted, exceeded the standard established by the Global Living Wage Coalition.
project common good.
PERIOD POVERTY.
When we first visited Kellensoo in 2014, the village elders informed us that one of the most pressing issues in their community was that teenage girls were dropping out of school due to the inaccessibility of feminine hygiene products. Since then, Think Coffee and Nardos/Gujoo Trading have distributed over 1,750 reusable menstrual pad kits. Along with Nardos and Gujoo, we have also helped provide education about the pads to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation and hygiene products.
PERIOD POVERTY.
When we first visited Kellensoo in 2014, the village elders informed us that one of the most pressing issues in their community was that teenage girls were dropping out of school due to the inaccessibility of feminine hygiene products. Since then, Think Coffee and Nardos/Gujoo Trading have distributed over 1,750 reusable menstrual pad kits. Along with Nardos and Gujoo, we have also helped provide education about the pads to reduce the stigma associated with menstruation and hygiene products.
Both the pads and the education associated with them have helped keep dozens of girls in school -- and not isolated from their community. While our project is currently on hold due to the unsafe conditions in the area, we are looking forward to continuing our work as soon as it is safe to do so.
Both the pads and the education associated with them have helped keep dozens of girls in school -- and not isolated from their community. While our project is currently on hold due to the unsafe conditions in the area, we are looking forward to continuing our work as soon as it is safe to do so.
shop this coffee.
west guji, ethiopia
medium roast
Tasting notes: vanilla, floral, tea rose
The farmers of West Guji have been cultivating coffee for generations, and it's about time they're getting the recognition they deserve. And, boy, does this Kellensoo coffee deliver! Grown at high altitude in nutrient-rich soil, it boasts a floral flavor profile that will hook you on the first sip. The traditional drying techniques on African beds give Kellensoo a consistently clean and robust taste with subtle notes of tea rose. We're proud to partner with Aklilu Kassa Chirassa & Biniyam Aklilu to bring you this amazing coffee straight from the source.