1. Hebrings joy to millions of lives through
the work of his tired and calloused hands,
often without recognition. He works long
hours and his days seem to last forever in
the heat of the African sun. Being a cof-
fee bean farmer is exhausting no matter
where you’re harvesting from, but when
you’re living in one of the most economi-
cally devastated countries in the world,
getting your beans to the market can
prove impossible, and in some cases,
deadly. For a coffee bean farmer in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
this is his reality. That’s why Starbucks
is teaming up with one of the biggest
names in Hollywood to bring prosper-
ity back to a nation that was once a
thriving industry.
“Starbucks has purchased 40 tons of
coffee representing millions of cups of
coffee,” said actor and philanthropist
Ben Affleck in front of a U.S. Senate
hearing. “From a relatively modest in-
vestment, farmer’s incomes have more
than tripled.”
Affleck, who is founder of the Eastern
Congo Initiative, recently joined forces with
Starbucks in order to rebuild and renew the
Congolese coffee harvesting community to
the status it used to hold. The effort will take
some time according to Affleck, considering
the area has been suffering from widespread
violence and famine for decades. With a
nearly 90% decrease in coffee production
since the tumultuous 1970s, the dedicated
farmers still laboring in the Congo are
yearning for a change, and with the ongoing
support from Affleck and the recent partner-
ship with Starbucks, change is imminent.
“This isn’t charity or aid in the traditional
sense,” Affleck said regarding the joint ef-
fort. “It’s good business, not only for ECI
and Starbucks, but for the farmers who can
now send their children to school, put food
on the table, and more importantly, access
proper health care.”
Starbucks has always been focused on
delivering the highest quality products in the
most ethically and responsible ways. This
endeavor, according to Starbucks senior
vice president of Global Responsibility John
Kelly, is just another step in the process of
establishing Starbucks as a global leader in
ethically sourced beans.
“Starbucks and ECI hope that continued
development will help raise standards of liv-
ing and ensure that Congolese communities
become permanent, growing participants in
the global trading system,” said Kelly after
the hearing.
This hearing is the first and most im-
portant step in a process that will help
more than 10,000 farmers in the Congo
gain a competitive advantage in the
market for coffee beans in the next four
years. Not only is Starbucks committed
to helping these farmers harvest higher
quality Arabica beans, but the ongoing
nature of the plan ensures economic
stability for the entire nation.
“The Congolese people refuse to be
defined by their past,” Affleck said as
he looked beyond the panel into the
faces of those who could help this
plan take flight. “The statistics tell you
nothing about Congo’s future or about the
extraordinary and resilient people working
every day to rebuild their nation.”
Rebuilding the economy of a nation will
be hard work, but with the support from Af-
fleck and Starbucks, the farmer who works
for the well-being of his family will be
eternally grateful.
S i r e n ’ s E y e
Hollywood Star and Starbucks Join Forces
dStriving to bring prosperity to the Congo.
Where a robust civil society can flourish.
For more information
www.easterncongo.org
Affleck addresses the U.S. Senate
Spring Issue 2016
Starbucks Coffee Company