You might have heard us shouting about the fact that one of the teas that makes up our everyday brew is from the Pfunda Tea Estate in Gisenyi, Rwanda. It’s Rwanda’s leading tea plantation and the first one to earn a Rainforest Alliance certification (their tea is also really lovely!). What's more, we also work with the Point Foundation, who are based there, to give back to tea growing communities through our ethical scheme.
So as Rwanda is such a big part of what we do, we thought we’d share some interesting facts about the beautiful country that brings us our signature tea...
Did you know...?
- Rwanda is a land-locked country in central Africa; it’s about the size of Wales but has three times the population!
- 57% of people in Rwanda live below the poverty line.
- In 1994 the Rwandan genocide, fuelled by ethnic conflict, resulted in the slaughter of over 1 million people in 100 days.
- 22 years on, the country is recovering and developing but 2 in 3 people still live in poverty and malnutrition is the greatest health problem.
- Rwanda today is one of the safest, cleanest and least corrupt countries in Africa.
- Rwanda is famous for its Gorillas – a third of the world’s critically endangered population live there and their conservation is helping the country’s burgeoning tourism economy.
- Other tourist draws are wildlife at Nyungwe Rainforest and the Big Five at Akagera National Park, which boarders Tanzania.
- Bicycles are the most used means of transport – there is no railway system in Rwanda.
- Gisenyi is home to Rwanda’s only brewery ‘Bralirwa’ which is a major local employer.
- Their primary exports are some of the finest tea and coffee in the world.
Throughout March, we'll be doubling all donations made online to help support the great work carried out by the Point Foundation - so if you're planning on placing an order this month, please do swing by our donation page - it would be HUGELY appreciated!
