W H A T

A Book About us By us.

W H Y

It’s about time we told our own stories and the world saw us through our own lens.

W H E N

Get yours today. Official release Limited Edition and Main Book - September 2020!

ABOUT

We hardly have any stories told by the coffee producer or the person living in that country and experiencing all the emotions that go with working in the coffee industry, from the growing of the coffee, processing and selling it. This story has always been from the point of view of the buyer, the roaster, the trader - the foreigner looking in and excited about the new adventure of experiencing the place and its people. Hardly do we have stories especially from this continent that clearly  touch on the perception of this continent and the real story of doing business in these environments. This work shares the point of view of the people who live and work in these communities, people who have made sacrifices to invest in their communities and uplift these communities. 

This is both a visual and narrative  story of the perception of an empowered woman in this setting, the community I work in and the Neocolonialism notions that exist in this industry as well as the colonial structures that still exist in this sector.

This work delves into the definition of Empowerment from the communities we seek to “empower” , storytelling from the point of view  of the producers themselves and what the narrative should be as you buy their beans or as you interact with them in their communities.

We look to portray the images of an African coffee producer , African women and its surroundings in a more dignified, real manner as opposed to that of a pitiful struggling environment. Ours is  a place of opportunity and promise for both youth , women and the entrepreneurs who dare to dream and try. We look to trade with the western world in more beneficial and profitable relationships.

VAVA

“The African woman is a miracle of versatility She is strong, beautiful, fashionable and unapologetically so.  For decades this quiet strength and beauty has existed but that story has hardly been put in a positive light.”

WORDS, VISION: VAVA
PHOTOGRAPHY: PORTIA

UPCOMING EVENTS

Proceeds from this event are going towards The Gente Del Futuro project- Lamu and the La Dulce Toro Cafe Lamu. Gente Del Futuro is the first specialty coffee training centre that seeks to empower the youth in Lamu county with skills that will allow them gainful employment either with GDF at the La Dulce Toro Cafe or other hotels both local and global. For more information please follow us @ladulcetorolamu, @gentefuturo ,@vavacoffeekenya.