Christian and Muslim Coffee Fanatics

Published date: 12th June 2009

Lorna Young Foundation and the Oromo Coffee Company (LYF and OCC). LYF is living proof that that we can change the world without relying on grant hand-outs. We have established a unique community-owned coffee trading enterprise connecting Oromo refugees in the UK with smallholder farmers in Oromia, Ethiopia shortening the supply chain, keeping profits for both communities. LYF's aim is to reduce poverty, promote ethical trading and assist sustainable livelihoods through providing business education for smallholder farmers in the developing world, shortening supply chains and enabling them to compete. We initiated, developed and are project managing the 'The Oromo Coffee Company' social enterprise -the first ever UK 'community to community direct trading of coffee' venture that assists refugee communities living in the UK.

Why help the Oromos?

250 refugee families recently came to the North West in the last few years via a UN Gateway Project and following human rights abuses inflicted upon them. The (locally based) LYF found out about their difficulties via St George's, Stalybridge who approached them to see if they could help. LYF learned that although fit for employment, it was impossible for the Oromos to access work and due to experiences in Ethiopia, the community's collective self-esteem was very low. LYF suggested a self-help project, utilising their links with Oromo coffee growers in Ethiopia.

'The Oromo Coffee Company' (OCC) was established in partnership with a local authority and community groups. LYF approached a coffee roasting business which agreed to provide mentoring, sourcing and coffee roasting and the initial coffee as a Corporate Social Responsibility donation. They then began to source other 'in kind' support. The result is a new model of social enterprise that connects grassroot communities in the UK with developing countries via ethical trading practices, raises awareness and demonstrates that the wider community can benefit from such initiatives.

How was this funded?

There was no funding or budget at the beginning of the project; LYF is a small charity and has no core funding. LYF feels strongly that charitable overheads should be kept to a minimum; and are therefore regionally based, do not waste money on self-promotion, unnecessary trips abroad or glossy reports and materials. LYF had confidence that ethically aware consumers have been looking for a new and innovative product for some time and so began the work to convince local businesses and third sector organisations to either provide pro-bono or in-kind support donations. LYF provided in-kind project development and management; business start up for the OCC came via a small grant from Tameside Council; the OCC's office was provided rent-free indefinitely by North West Interpreters Ltd; the initial coffee batches and roasting was provided for free by Bolling Coffee (with further amounts at a reduced rate); company logo, coffee packaging and initial website was donated by 'AsOne' a local design company; computers, software and stationery were donated by individuals and business mentoring and workplace skills were provided by local volunteers and entrepreneurs. The OCC's coffee was launched at Parliament via the backing of the Minister for Work and Pensions and only after the company had begun operations did we receive a tiny 'mustard seed' grant from the Church Urban Fund.

So what's the Christian-Muslim connection?

Perhaps you have been wondering why the LYF has been asked to contribute this article to the Forum's website? [I attended the launch - Ed] It is an interesting paradox that in all truth, faith practices have simply not been an issue in what has actually been a joint-faith initiative! The Oromo community members are 50/50 practicing Christian or Muslims. As Christians and Muslims who regularly attend places of worship and who are separately involved in their own faith groups, the OCC has demonstrated a fascinating example of how a community can become 'faith blind' in its desire to work together to create a better future for themselves and to help poor farmers in Ethiopia. At the outset of an Oromo community meeting, a prayer is offered up that meets the spiritual needs of all present. But rather than the western tendency to 'not give offence' and therefore watering down the power and meaning of the moment, the Oromo community have simply focussed on the best way to include everyone. The underlying premise of the collective community when it comes to differing religious practices seems to be 'slow to take offence'. Surely something we can all learn from.

The interest of faith and community groups in this enterprise are pivotal to its success. Religious groups proved themselves to be crucial in supporting Fair Trade in its early days, until it broke into the supermarkets and become mainstream (thanks to Lorna Young herself!) Many churches, mosques and third sector organisations now support ethical trading, but the OCC is going that extra, more radical mile - ensuring a better deal for producers, whilst at the same time, helping a local refugee community.

What can we do to help?

So what can you, as an individual or as a group, do to help? Well, the obvious answer is to buy the coffee! Even if you aren't a big coffee drinker, then you surely know someone who would appreciate a bag of the latest, top-quality variety. Outlets stocking the coffee are increasing daily but we also encourage faith groups to come together as a syndicate to bulk purchase and then share. This is a fantastic opportunity for faith groups to come together and to hook into something that they can all have in common. Similarly, faith groups might want to organise an Oromo Coffee Morning, or even coffee-tasting sessions (Glossop Central Methodists were the first to host such an event, followed closely by Altrincham Islamic Centre). Finally, the OCC are still in need of volunteers to help deliver leaflets to local shops/delis and people who possess skills such as fundraising, marketing and promotion etc.

LYF and the OCC have created a very 'high-end' Fairtrade certified coffee. Those who buy this coffee will pay a little more than the supermarket branded Fairtrade certified coffees. The reason for the extra 50p - £1 is for two very good reasons: 1) you will be drinking an extremely high quality of coffee bean which is far superior to most supermarket coffees and 2) OCC coffee ensures that the profits go to helping two communities â€“ both here in the UK and in Ethiopia.

www.oromocoffee.org (price list can be obtained by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and cc'ing in .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or calling 0161 339 7865). Please bear in mind that all of the Oromo staff are undertaking on-the-job training so your patience and forbearance will be highly valued.

Written by Christina Longden, The Lorna Young Foundation, tel: 07538 690072

Posted by Julian Bond

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