Rwanda, Mbilima

Mbilima washing station is part of the Dukundekawa Co-operative in north-west Rwanda. Established in 2005, the station was created to support farmers unable to access the co-operative’s main Ruli washing station, improving both processing access and overall coffee quality across the region. Founded in 2000, Dukundekawa works with producers farming at around 1,800 masl near the habitat of Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Fairtrade certified since 2004, the co-operative has played an important role in strengthening farmer incomes and supporting long-term community development. Today, around 80% of its members are women, with many benefiting from improved financial stability, healthcare access and investment into local schools and infrastructure. For this honey process lot, ripe cherries are carefully hand-sorted and float-separated before being depulped and dried with the mucilage intact on raised beds under cover. Drying takes approximately 15 days in warmer conditions, or up to 22 days during wetter periods, with careful monitoring throughout. The result is a balanced and expressive cup, shaped by meticulous processing and the collective strength of the co-operative behind it.