Take a peek at two reports for volunteer work with Coffee Corps.

I will continue to post more reports.

For information regarding Coffee Corps check out www.coffeeinstitute.org.

Great stuff.

Night and Day.
Uganda and Kenya.
Report Jeremy Raths, January 11th to January 30th, 2007.
On behalf of CQI, Coffee Corps, and EAFCA.

A definite tale of two countries. It was the best of times and the worst of times. Uganda was a dark, dreary experience. Kenya was light, thrilling, and comforting.

In Kampala Bob Stephenson, Chris Van Zastrow and I found incompetence, defensiveness, defeatism, and a total lack of welcome. The Uganda Coffee Development Association was to be the host of the training and the competition. The training site was a disaster. The small sample roaster was inadequate for the amount of coffee we needed to roast. The lack of staff assigned to us was beyond inadequate. The room provided for the cuppings and meetings was entirely too small. The class size was increased at the last minute and several additional students added. The absence of the manager for the UCDA was very apparent. But the amazing thing was that the very day we started to train over thirty students the manager, Doreen, decided to get a sink repaired. We did not have water or toilets for the entire four days. The lack of water caused us to diminish the cuppings. We had a total of three cuppings for the entire training. The lack of toilets caused the obvious problems.

The students for the most part represented employees from the commercial coffee sector. Their allegiance to the UGDA created an ongoing defense of Robusta in particular and the commercial sector in general. The discussions drifted to ways to improve the processing of Robusta coffees to attain specialty status and fetch higher prices. Both Bob and I continually disappointed these folks by continually suggesting that trees be torn out and new plantings on proper sites be made. The UGDA adherents were not happy with the suggestions. To see grown folks pout, smell toilets backing up, and be jammed into a tiny space created many distractions. I would never recommend a return to Uganda if the UCDA is involved in any way.

Kenya was a superb example of an extraordinary training experience. The training site was a farmhouse on a coffee planting. Light, airy, roomy, a perfect place to hold such a training. Many students were from the emerging specialty coffee companies. They demonstrated the passion that we take for granted in our industry. In spite of a few old guard commercial folks the discussions were spirited, in depth and very satisfying. The cuppings were treated with professional attitudes. The conversations during break times bounced along the themes of better coffee, better coffee people make better coffee companies.

The host of the event, SOCINAF, was the best possible choice. Competent staff anticipated our every need. Supplies, water, electricity, lighting, great meals were all provided in abundance. Assigned folks were always present and pleased to be there. The roasting equipment was adjusted by Bob and myself and handed over to a very competent roaster. All the samples for the class cuppings as well as all 32 samples for the competition were done in an expert fashion. We could focus on the classes knowing that the samples would all be done well. The classes were a great success.

The competition was held at Roure Country Club. The excitement generated by the cupping was matched by the onsite coffee fair. Huge tents held exhibits from coffee agricultural equipment providers, coffee roasting companies, insect control devices, insurance firms and financial organizations. Estates, farms and cooperatives were also represented. It was great to see the enthusiasm and professionalism demonstrated at the fair.

The samples provided for the competition were captured during the early part of the harvest for Kenya. Many, many of the samples did not demonstrate the classic well balanced characteristic inherent in great Kenya coffees. The timing of the harvest and the EAFCA conference in February created the situation. Several coffees managed to score high marks. The coffee club was a huge success. Once again SOCINAF and the Kenya chapter of EAFCA shined. An entire computer set up with internet access was awarded to the company that submitted the winning sample. The winner was Coffee Research Federation. Great coffee. Another entire computer set up was given to a coop that demonstrated the greatest quality improvement. The computer set ups are a great practical reward for a job well done.

Send me back to Kenya anytime.

It was a great pleasure to work with Mr. Bob Stephenson. His knowledge of the coffee industry is only matched by his love of coffee. I gained so much working by his side. My feelings for Mr. Chris von Zastrow continue to grow. I admire his organization, leadership, and perseverance. I value our friendship.

Send me anywhere with those two guys.