Working with the Cafédirect….
Although Michimikuru did not sell to Cafédirect until July 2007 our relationship with them was established via KTDA (Kenya Tea Development Agency) in 2004.
Since then, we have been supporting Michimikuru to gain the Fairtrade certification from Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO).
Michimikuru tea growers appreciate the fact that we invested in them before we even started buying from them.
“The direct contact between tea growers at Michimikuru and our team has excited the farmers as they feel that they belong to a wider tea family, including the Cafédirect family in the UK. They feel that they are more than just a supplier at the end of the supply chain but more like a partner with us.”
Emmanuelle Ledrian, operations team Cafédirect
“The work that the Cafédirect/Imani team undertook in assisting Michimikuru to obtain Fairtrade status, and become a Teadirect supplier, has been beyond anything that the factory staff or farmers have ever seen from a tea buyer.
This gives us a hope for a better tomorrow, especially when we see the difference Fairtrade has made to our neighbouring factory and farmers at Kiegoi. We look forward to the first premiums being paid and the first schools opened for our farmer’s children.”
Julius Ethang'atha, Member of Michimikuru Premium Committee pictured left