Our Story

In the lush hills of Tanzania's Mbinga district, where coffee trees stretch as far as the eye can see, two young boys once played among the ripening cherries, unaware that their futures would be intimately tied to the crop their families had cultivated for generations.

Eric and Daniel, born into fourth-generation coffee farming families, grew up with the rich aroma of coffee permeating their daily lives.

 

As children, they would wake to the sound of their parents and grandparents heading out to the fields, the cool morning mist still clinging to the mountainside. Their small hands learned to distinguish between the ripe red cherries and the unripe green ones, a skill passed down through generations. The boys' laughter echoed through the coffee plantations as they helped with the harvest, their feet stained with the pulp of fallen fruit.

Life in Mbinga, while beautiful, presented its share of challenges. The community faced the harsh realities of fluctuating coffee prices, climate change, and limited access to education. Yet, amidst these struggles, coffee remained a beacon of hope – a means to a better future.

 

When Eric and Daniel reached their late teens, an extraordinary opportunity arose. The income from their families' coffee farms, combined with their academic promise, secured them scholarships to study in Canada. With heavy hearts and dreams of returning to help their community, the young men bid farewell to the only home they had ever known.

 

In Canada, Eric and Daniel faced a new world of challenges and opportunities. The cold winters were a stark contrast to Mbinga's tropical climate, and the fast-paced urban life was a far cry from their rural upbringing. Yet, they persevered, drawing strength from their shared background and the memory of the sacrifices their families had made.

 

Eric pursued a degree in Food Science and Technology, focusing on food production
processes. His studies ignited a passion for improving coffee processing techniques,
envisioning ways to enhance the quality and consistency of Mbinga's coffee. Daniel, on the other hand, delved into Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, driven by a desire to make a difference through education.

 

After graduation, both men found success in their respective fields, building careers and lives in Canada. They married, started families, and achieved the kind of stability their parents had only dreamed of. Yet, as they entered middle age, a persistent calling tugged at their hearts – a desire to give back to the community that had given them so much.

 

Now, in their forties, Eric and Daniel have embarked on a new journey with the founding of Mbinga Coffee Company. Their immediate goal is straightforward yet ambitious: to bring the finest coffee beans from their homeland to Canada, ensuring the best possible return for the local farm workers who nurture these beans from seed to harvest.

 

While their long-term visions differ slightly, their current focus is united. Eric dreams of one day returning to Mbinga to implement process improvements in coffee production, leveraging his expertise in food science to enhance the quality and efficiency of local coffee processing. Daniel, with his background in education, aspires to develop comprehensive coffee education programs, not just for consumers but for the next generation of coffee farmers in Mbinga.

 

However, for now, their energy is directed towards establishing a strong, ethical supply chain that directly benefits their home community. They're working tirelessly to create direct trade relationships with farmers they've known since childhood, ensuring fair prices and transparent practices. Every decision they make is guided by a simple question: "How can we maximize the benefit to the farm workers in Mbinga?" Their company doesn't just export coffee; it exports hope. With every bag of coffee sold, Eric and Daniel share a piece of their heritage with Canadian coffee lovers. They've become "Rafiki" (friends) to both their Canadian customers and their Tanzanian partners, bridging cultures through the universal language of coffee.

As they navigate the complexities of international trade and build their brand in Canada, Eric and Daniel feel the weight of their journey. They see their own story reflected in the beans they import – a story of hard work, rich tradition, and the promise of a better future.

 

They're not just selling coffee; they're brewing a better future for Mbinga, one cup at a time, by ensuring that the fruits of their success flow directly back to the hands that tend the coffee trees.

 

Through Mbinga Coffee Company, Eric and Daniel are laying the groundwork for their future aspirations while making an immediate, tangible impact on the lives of their fellow Mbingans. It's more than a business; it's a bridge between two worlds, and a testament to the transformative power of never forgetting one's roots.