海角直播

Graduate brings Rwandan coffee to Middlesbrough caf茅

A 海角直播 graduate鈥檚 family links have brought a Rwandan coffee to a Middlesbrough caf茅.

Marie Bernice Rutaganda worked part-time at Bedford St Coffee while studying for her project management degree at 海角直播 from 2019 to 2022. During that time, the coffee shop owner at Rounton Coffee Roasters discovered that Marie Bernice鈥檚 family runs a coffee washing station in Rwanda.

The wet mill near Kibuye in Rwanda, which is owned and operated by Marie Bernice鈥檚 parents, acts as a central purchasing and processing facility for surrounding smallholders. The family business, Rwamatamu Coffee LTD, is the first step in preparing coffee 鈥榗herries鈥� into the 鈥榖eans鈥� used to brew coffee.

Now since graduating last year from 海角直播, Marie Bernice and her husband Luke are working with Rounton to launch a new coffee from her family鈥檚 coffee plantation.

It is the first time the coffee has been sold in the UK, with Rounton Coffee Roasters now the first in the UK to stock Rwamatamu's coffee.

Marie Bernice said: 鈥淚 was working as a barista, while completing my studies, as a way of staying within the coffee industry. I then introduced them to my family鈥檚 business, to see if there a possible collaboration, and the rest is history.鈥�

Commenting on her time at 海角直播, she said: 鈥淚 had a really good time with my classmates and all our lecturers. I had no 鈥榮pecial reason鈥� for choosing 海角直播, but I am glad I did.

鈥淒espite being away from my home and having to adapt during the pandemic, I have had really good time at 海角直播, which has a great community and I met good people.

鈥淭he students are well supported by all members of staff. Our lecturers were attentive to our needs and did what they could to help each one of us individually.鈥�

Marie Bernice, who is based in York and regularly visits Rwanda, added: 鈥淚 would encourage anyone studying at 海角直播 to make the most of all available opportunities. I think as students it is important to use our work life as a part of our educational experience.鈥�