Brewing Hope: Coffee World Change Initiative Provides 30 Chickens to Mama Shakira’s Orphanage in Mwanza, Tanzania
Introduction:
In the heart of Mwanza, Tanzania, a remarkable woman named Mama Shakira has been tirelessly devoting her life to caring for 22 children (and counting) at her orphanage. The challenges faced by Mama Shakira in meeting the daily needs of these children have been both sad and inspiring. That’s why, at Coffee World, we are excited to share the impact of our first “Coffee World Change” initiative, where 1% of last year’s profits will be dedicated to giving back to the communities living in the coffee belt, starting in East Africa. This year, we proudly announce our support for Mama Shakira’s orphanage by providing 30 chickens to boost self-sustainability.
Mama Shakira’s Orphanage:
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Mwanza, Mama Shakira’s orphanage is a haven for 22 children who have faced life’s adversities at an early age. Despite her unwavering dedication, Mama Shakira often finds it challenging to meet the daily needs of the children, including nutritious meals and essential supplies.
The Coffee Change Initiative:
At Coffee World, we believe in the power of community and giving back. Our “Coffee World Change” initiative aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those living in the coffee belt communities. For our inaugural project, we decided to collaborate with Mama Shakira to empower her orphanage with a sustainable source of income.
Empowering with Chickens:
Understanding the importance of self-sustainability, we worked closely with Mama Shakira to identify a project that aligns with her vision for the orphanage. Mama Shakira had previous experience raising chickens and selling eggs for income a few years ago.
The trade collapsed when she was deceived by her business partner and lost all her chickens. As Mama Shakira already had a large space within her orphanage compound suitable for housing chickens, we decided to provide her with funding for her first 30, fully vaccinated laying hens and feed to last a few months. According to a local poultry farmer who supplied Mama Shakira with her chickens, the space she has is suitable for over 100 chickens, so she can slowly grow her flock as she becomes more experienced and makes a profit from selling the eggs.
Since most of the chickens are not yet of laying age, it will take a couple of weeks to get in full swing, but she has already started getting eggs from a couple of the chickens which was very exciting for both her and all the children. These feathered companions are not only a symbol of hope but also a practical means for the orphanage to generate income. Not only that but they are a great source of learning for the children who get to interact with the chickens and help with nurturing, feeding and collecting eggs!
The Road Ahead:
As Mama Shakira’s orphanage becomes more self-sustainable, the ripple effects of this initiative extend beyond providing immediate relief. By empowering communities, we hope to create a cycle of positive change that will benefit generations to come. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” – except it’s a strong and amazing woman, not a man, and its chickens, not fish!
The journey with Mama Shakira’s chickens is just the beginning, and we look forward to sharing more stories of impact from the East African coffee belt communities.
Watch the short video from Mama Shakira thanking everyone who has helped impact her orphanage by shopping with Coffee World:
