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 Travels
to East Africa
Karen
Cebreros, President and Founder of Elan Organic Coffees,
had the unique opportunity to travel to East Africa last
month as a CQI/Coffee Corp Volunteer. Due to civil
unrest the entire week in Kenya was cancelled, so the
events all took place in Uganda and Ethiopia. Karen's
role included assistance to the CQI team in cupping
preparations, cupping, scoring and attending CQI
seminars.
"EAFCA's Conference in Kampala, Uganda was extremely
successful. Estimated attendance was over 500, including
Europeans, Africans, Asians and a small group from North
America. The President, Queen and Secretary General all
participated!"
"The theme was 'Africa is the next frontier... Grow more
coffee!' Latin America is reaching the limit of their
carrying capacity. The number one recommendation in
Africa, as well as all coffee origin countries, is to
train producers, millers and exporters to cup their
coffees. The workshop for Q Grading was moved to the
EAFCA Conference. CQI has the correct model to
standardize protocols and basic language worldwide, but
the industry needs a consensus on the protocols and an
army of volunteers to execute the mission of specialty
coffee. As CQI states, 'Quality is sustainable.' The
coffees were extraordinary. I had the unique experience
of meeting producers from Zambia, The Congo, Uganda,
Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Africa and
Malawi. As part of the buyers forum I look forward to
importing the highest quality coffees from these
regions."
"I was a speaker at the conference, with the objective
of launching the International Women's Coffee Alliance
in Africa. I feel strongly that women in
 Kenya,
Uganda, South Africa, Ethiopia and Tanzania are ready to
start chapters, which is very exciting and motivating!
Women made up less than 10% of the conference this year,
but feedback was positive and we can expect that number
to increase next year."
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