not all superheroes wear a cape

Rosebella draws inspiration from her mother who was force behind her early years of education which played a pivotal role in shaping her world for the coming years. Ever since that, she has been actively championing women around her who want to send their children to school by helping them pay their school fees. Although she realized her passion to empower the community around her was alive, this way of sporadic support to the women around here wasn’t sustainable. In 2017-18 when they moved to their new house in Nandi hills which once belonged to the British (Muzungu, as they fondly call them in Africa), there was lots to be done in renovating this house. They also discovered around this area, only the British were allowed to plant coffee, traces of these were still intact. In 2019, Rosebella and her husband Samy planted their first coffee trees and provided ample employment, turned out only men were to be seen doing all the work. Women who knew of this would come by her house to looking for employment.

At that point, she wasn’t exactly sure how she would engage with them although she started talking to them about it openly and honestly. They shared stories of their misfortune of working long hours to transport 50 kilogram bags of charcoal to long distances. They were often in trouble with local police for the same and in the end, there were empty stomachs still awaiting the safe return of their wives, mothers back home after a day’s work. Rosebella decided she had to help these women help themselves and simply handing out endless cash (if that ever was possible!) was not going to cut it.

She knew coffee could be their elixir.

First she mobilized 40 women who came and shared their stories that included how many coffee trees did they have in their farms. Most of them had 0 coffee trees but close to 8-9 children to feed in their family. Rosebella did what she does best - mobilize the group. The conditions were clear - they had to help themselves, she would let them buy seedlings at a discount from her so it doesn’t feel like a donation, instill ownership and let them be their own main characters! Sometimes when women farmers didn’t have money, they would barter with eggs to buy coffee seedlings. Others had to fight their husbands who uprooted their trees, in some cases 5 times before they were let alone to do their thing.
Each woman found a way to become coffee farmer by choice in due course and the constant that remained - Rosebella’s unconditional support to them.

Today Rosebella works with sourcing coffee from 60 farmers who have organized and registered themselves as Chepsangor Women. Their chairwomen and secretary speak stellar English and are charismatic leaders who are are actively strategizing for their collective future. With their self esteem improved, their coffees bringing them an income they can call it their own, the group is making great strides towards a positive future.

CULTIVARS

Ruiru, Batian

elevation

1760 - 2100 m.a.s.l

NOTABLE

At Chepsangor they follow a zero-till method while planting seedlings; coffee trees grow under the shade of indigenous trees and the perennial of the river is protected by a 10 meters border of natural vegetation. Beehives are installed throughout the farms and soil health is annually tested and protected with organic leaf matter a manure. 

Rosebella is experimenting to understand the viability of the Biogas as fuel source which could potentially be adopted by these women for cooking instead of cutting down trees for firewood. She is also working with them to set up a portal through the government so they can have a recognized online shop to sell their produce. These women also have been vocal about having clean access to water, energy with their local governments because of their improved self esteem. The coffee from these women are mixed together with coffee from Rosebella’s own estates and undergo a washed process.

PROCESSING

Natural : The ripest cherries from the coffee farm are collected and lights are separated from the heavy and they are dried for 30 days until a moisture content of 11.5% is achieved.
Anaerobic Naturals : The same process as naturals is followed then coffees are put in the fermentation tank with no oxygen for 5 days. Carbon di oxide is released whenever necessary and pH is monitored so it stays consistent between 3.5-4. The slimy coffees are then
Washed : The heaviest cherries are pulped and dry fermented over night usually between 24-48 hours depending on what is usually required. It is washed and dried over 14 days until the desired moisture is attained.

TASTIFY™ CUPPING NOTES

Contact ROSEBELLA LANGAT

Rosebella will be accessible through her telephone and via WhatsApp. She is also reachable via email as well as Instagram.

TEL :+254 728 96086
EMAIL : rosebellalangat@gmail.com

INSTAGRAM

Photo gallery

You may use these photos freely to promote Rosabella’s coffee amongst your customers.