Starbucks

Heifer International and Starbucks... Improving Coffee Communities in Rwanda

Mukamwiza Immaculate told Starbucks' chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz that the one thing she wanted — if she could have anything in the world — was a cow. Now, thanks to you, Mukamwiza will see her dream come true. She will receive her cow from Heifer International in just three months.

With Howard Schultz’s personal contribution, Heifer’s Matching Gifts program, partner contributions and efforts like the Cupcakes for Cows bake sale and Rock for Rwanda! Concert. Starbucks partners reached and exceeded the goal to provide 30 heifers for 30 families in Rwanda. In all, Starbucks raised $55,700 in less than five months to help coffee-growing communities.

Congratulations, partners on this exceptional achievement!

The heifers have arrived in the community, and placement with families will be completed in August 2010. Families have been engaged in training on the proper care of their animal, including feeding, housing and milking the animals. They are also receiving training on Heifer’s Cornerstones for Just and sustainable Development and sustainable agriculture.