In 2023, Kahawa 1893 sold more than $3 million worth of coffee. Earlier this year, I had the incredible opportunity to join Margaret Nyamumbo, the founder of Kahawa 1893, in Kisii, Kenya. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the coffee industry but also gave me a firsthand look at Margaret’s unwavering commitment to empowering women coffee farmers and transforming the lives of entire communities. She had just landed from New York and we all met at ABC Place in Nairobi on a chilly Friday morning at 5 am. We began our journey down the Rift Valley, enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Kenya. The trip was filled with laughter and lots of stops, taking photos at every beautiful site on our way.

We knew we had arrived at her village when we saw a group of beautifully dressed women run towards us dancing and singing some beautiful Kisii folk songs. As soon as we opened the car doors and they saw Margaret, they all embraced her in warm hugs and in a split second, she was on one of the women’s shoulders, lifted high and enjoying a free ride home. We had to leave the car and join the party. After enjoying some great dances, an amazing meal and Margaret catching up with her family, my day officially began.

The Vision Behind Kahawa 1893

Margaret asked me and my team to join her as she walked to her grandfather’s home, just 200m away from her father’s home. “My grandfather was a driver for the colonial government, and managed to get his hands on some seedlings to start his own coffee farm.” Margaret Narrates. “Growing up in a community of coffee farmers, I witnessed the inequalities within the coffee industry — women provided 90% of the labor, but didn’t own land.” After studying abroad in the USA and starting her career on Wall Street, Margaret returned to her roots with a mission: to share East African coffee with the world in a way that empowers women farmers.

The joy in her grandfather’s face said it all and without even asking him to, he proudly took us to his farm where he showed us his amazing farm with a mixture of coffee and bananas. Unfortunately, the coffee berries were not in season, but that did not hinder this amazing story.

Making a Difference in Local Communities

Kahawa 1893 currently partners with cooperatives in Kenya, Rwanda, and Congo, sourcing high-quality beans for their single-origin and blended coffees. Through these partnerships, Margaret ensures that the profits from Kahawa 1893 are reinvested back into the communities, fostering economic independence and education for women and girls.

On my visit to Kisii, I saw how Kahawa 1893 is making a tangible difference in the lives of women coffee farmers. Through the company’s innovative tip fund model, consumers can tip farmers directly, ensuring that the women who do the majority of the work receive direct financial benefits. These funds have enabled women to start their own small businesses, providing them with economic independence and additional sources of income beyond coffee farming.

One of the most impactful aspects of the networks formed through Kahawa 1893 is the ability to pool resources. Women collaborate to share tools, equipment, and even financial resources like savings and credit. This collective approach helps them overcome barriers to entry, such as the high costs of buying machinery or acquiring raw materials. By pooling resources, women can expand their businesses and increase production capacity without shouldering the full financial burden individually.

Through savings and credit, women gained financial independence by earning extra income through new businesses that they have been able to start. Some of these businesses are; dairy farming, running posho mills, and tailoring. This additional income allows them to better support their families, covering basic needs like education, healthcare, and food.

I had the privilege of meeting some of these incredible women turned entrepreneurs. Irene Mokeira runs a posho mill that produces maize flour, a staple food in Kenyan households. Just a few steps across the road from her, I met Phillis Kerubo who proudly showed me her tailoring business, a business she started with funds from Kahawa 1893. Kahawa 1893 has helped reduce women’s reliance on seasonal farming or external sources of income. By diversifying into businesses like dairy farming, milling, and tailoring, they’ve achieved more stable and year-round sources of income.

Phillis shares, “We didn’t have a women’s savings group. Ever since we formed our group, we are now able to save up together and support each other. Poverty is now a thing of the past. Through the savings I was able to buy a sewing machine and clothing materials I needed to start my tailoring business.”

Community Support and Networking:

I also learned that community support and networking play a pivotal role in empowering women involved with Kahawa 1893. Through Kahawa 1893, women have built stronger, more cohesive networks that not only enhance their individual livelihoods but also contribute to broader community development. Women involved with Kahawa 1893 have created platforms where they can exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices.

Knowledge-sharing allows them to improve their business operations, adopt better farming or business techniques, and solve common challenges together. For example, those running dairy farms or posho mills can learn from each other about better feed for cattle, maintenance of machinery, or effective marketing strategies, leading to more successful and sustainable businesses.

By collaborating and supporting each other, women involved with Kahawa 1893 contribute to the overall economic and social development of their communities. Their businesses not only provide essential services, such as milling, tailoring, or dairy production, but also create jobs for others in the community. This ripple effect helps reduce poverty, improve local economies, and foster a culture of entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.

Kahawa 1893’s Impact on Girls’ Education

Kahawa 1893’s impact extends far beyond business and coffee farming—it’s also transforming education for girls in the community. One young girl I met had her schooling sponsored by Kahawa 1893’s scholarship program. Her family, like many others in the region, struggled to afford school fees, often prioritizing boys’ education over girls’. Thanks to the scholarship, she’s now excelling in school, with dreams of becoming a doctor. Kahawa 1893 has also provided classroom supplies, uniforms, and meals to support these pupils and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed.

This educational empowerment is particularly meaningful to Margaret, who credits her own success to the power of education. Through Kahawa 1893, she’s ensuring that the next generation of girls has the same opportunities to succeed and break the cycle of poverty.

Shooting Kahawa 1893 in the Maasai Mara and my first sip.

After our time in Kisii, I joined Margaret again, this time in the stunning Maasai Mara, where we brought Kahawa 1893 to the Mara. We stayed at Loyk Mara for a couple of days, shooting and taking in the beautiful wilderness.  The sweeping landscapes of the Maasai Mara provided a breathtaking backdrop to visually tell the story behind the packaging of the coffee that was inspired by Maasai Mara.

Now let me talk about the coffee, or should I say the Kahawa? I decided to save my first sip of Kahawa 1893 for Maasai Mara.

Oh! The Kahawa was so good, it felt like my taste buds were throwing a party and everyone showed up dressed in their best. The first sip hit me like a friendly jolt, not the kind that makes you question your life choices but the one that wakes your brain up and whispers, “We’ve got this!” It was rich, and smooth, with just the right hint of bitterness—like the perfect comeback you think of at the exact right moment. If this coffee had a job, it would definitely be my life coach, keeping me alert, motivated, and slightly addicted!

This project was particularly meaningful because it aligned with my passion for telling stories that matter. Kahawa 1893 isn’t just about producing high-quality coffee—it’s about creating lasting social change, empowering women, and supporting the communities that nurture this beloved crop.

Thank you Margaret for sharing your story.

Bringing Stories to Life Through Photography

My experience working with Margaret and Kahawa 1893 has reinforced my belief in the power of visual storytelling. As a documentary photographer, I strive to tell stories that inspire, uplift, and challenge perspectives. Through my lens, I aim to showcase the beauty and resilience of people and places often overlooked, ensuring their voices are heard on a global scale.

If you’re looking for someone to help tell your story—whether it’s through photography or film—I’d love to collaborate. Let’s create something impactful together.

Hire me today to bring your brand’s story to life and capture the essence of your mission.