Situated on the shores of Lake Kivu, the Solidarite de la promotion des actions-cafe et development (SOPACDI) is one of few Congolese coffee cooperatives working with farmers affected by the violence in the region. With support from different organisations led by Twin Trading, a UK trader, SOPACDI has built up its capacity to produce and export coffee of the highest international standard.

Investments have been made at every level, including on farm coffee rehabilitation, processing infrastructure, and business and governance capacity.

Over 600 of SOPACDI’s 3,200 producer members are women. Many of these women farmers are widows who have lost their husbands in the war or by drowning in their attempt to smuggle coffee across Lake Kivu. From the outset, the cooperative has been concerned to address the particular difficulties faced by these widows.

**All images from Creative Commons. Specific Authors: John Pavelka.