Sorwathe OP1

Source of ingredients

Sowarte Ltd

Terroir

Sowarte Ltd is based in Kigali, in northern Rwanda. The climate is tropical. Perched at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the city and its surroundings are made up of several hills, creating a very hilly terrain. The soil varies, but is mainly volcanic and lateritic. The tea plantations around the town are located near Lake Kivu, one of Africa's great lakes. Rainfall is also an important source of water. The region is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including weavers, grey-crowned cranes and monkeys.

Background and challenges

Over the past thirty years, the frequency of extreme events such as floods and drought has increased in Rwanda. Inflation is also a challenge for tea growers, as it impacts on their ability to obtain a fair price for their tea.

Community projects

Sowarthe is a Fair Trade certified company that has set up numerous social programs to combat climate change and support the community. It has set up nurseries with UNICEF-trained staff, as well as pre-schools. The establishment of a nutrition program provides two thousand nutritional meals a day to pre-school children, while funding for a menstrual hygiene program for women ensures that teenage girls are equipped so they don't miss school. Finally, Sowarthe sponsors extra-curricular activities and awards scholarships to local students.