As one of the original farmer members of the cooperative, Michel Dusengimana is fully committed to the work of Dukunde Kawa. He began his coffee career at 15, when he planted his first plot after being inspired by his parents and the hope that coffee farming could earn him a good income. Michel has since expanded into three plots, and built a house (complete with solar panels and running water), where he lives with Devotha and their three sons. He began full-time employment at the co-op in 2004, as a machine operator at Ruli washing station, where he processed the cooperative’s first batch of coffee cherries. When the building of Nkara was completed and production large enough to need a full-time station manager, Michel was eager to take the role on. Nearly twenty years later, Dusengimana remains as enthusiastic as ever, leading his them with great care and respect.

Life for Michel becomes incredibly busy during the harvest, because he spends increasingly long hours at Nkara as the season peaks, while Devotha tends to the farm, with help from their children. Yet, Michel’s cheerful and calm spirit doesn’t falter, even after having just finished the washing station’s busiest harvest. Weeding is done throughout the year, with all mulching and fertilising (using manure from the family cow and chickens) done by hand. On the property, the family also grow beans and maize — both for their own consumption and to sell at the local market.

Outside of coffee, Michel has established a successful poultry business. The family keep 30 chickens, and Michel is able to sell eggs locally thanks to his trusty motorcycle, which he was able to purchase with the profits earned from the sale of his coffee. His goal is to expand to a total of 60 chickens, which would double his production, and would provide the family with greater financial security by diversifying his income.