PROJECT TIMELINE
Updated: October 2023
Summer 2023
129,000 trees were planted in the final field.
Spring 2023
We established a community-owned nursery in Mapeti and prepared 16,177 seedlings of native timber trees and cacao.
Spring 2023
We set up 47 new beehives in Kalungura and Mabalako villages, benefiting 20 families by generating extra income through honey sales, organized by our partner, IDAD.
Spring 2023
The local partner IDAD trained 705 farmers in agroforestry management, enhancing their knowledge of organic agriculture, cacao cultivation, soil health, and various timber species suitable for cacao integration.
Spring 2023
131 individuals received beekeeping training from our local partner IDAD, a crucial aspect of farmers’ income in the Virunga area.
Spring 2023
Along with IDAD’s support, we established a total of 14 new nurseries. These nurseries have raised 129,997 seedlings, which will be ready for planting in the final field later this year.
Spring 2023
DAD has assisted 159 families, mainly women, in organic vegetable cultivation for personal use and local market sales. This effort has yielded 94,000 kg of vegetables, promoting both healthy diets and increased income for these families.
Winter 2022
An additional 328 beehives were set up by local farmers with IDAD’s assistance. Over 100 families stand to benefit from this initiative, which will enhance their income through honey sales.
Winter 2022
An additional 328 beehives were set up by local farmers with IDAD’s assistance. Over 100 families stand to benefit from this initiative, which will enhance their income through honey sales.
Winter 2022
Timber and cacao seedlings were provided to 533 families participating in IDAD’s program. Each family will cultivate approximately one soccer field of new forest or cacao agroforestry systems, resulting in a total of 533 soccer fields of cacao forests grown in just one year.
Winter 2022
A total of 1,299 women have received training from IDADS’ local field team. The training programs covered various areas, including sewing, gender equality, vegetable cultivation, beekeeping, and leadership.
Autumn 2022
An IDAD-organized cooperative harvested and sold a total of 1,183 liters of honey which even includes a shop in the city of Beni, the capital of North-Kivu.
Autumn 2022
IDAD expanded their support for mushroom cultivation to 13 villages around Virunga National Park as part of their food sovereignty program. This effort resulted in the harvest of 253 kg of mushrooms, providing local families with a healthy addition to their diet.
Autumn 2022
We established a new community-managed nursery in Mambale, raising a total of 25,203 seedlings, including 10,160 timber trees and 15,043 cacao trees.
Summer 2022
30 women participated in additional mushroom cultivation training to enhance food security for their families, particularly in the rural areas near the Virunga National Park buffer zone.
Summer 2022
20 beehives were established in Cantine village by our local partner IDAD, creating an additional income source for farmers. This initiative also helps educate families about the importance of forests and provides them with an economic incentive to protect these vital ecosystems.
Summer 2022
A six-month education program was designed specifically for young single mothers to learn sewing and prepare them for starting their own businesses. This impactful program was organized by IDAD, our local partner. As a result, 33 women, aged 18 to 35, successfully graduated in sewing.
Summer 2022
A six-month education program was designed specifically for young single mothers to learn sewing and prepare them for starting their own businesses. This impactful program was organized by IDAD, our local partner. As a result, 33 women, aged 18 to 35, successfully graduated in sewing.
Summer 2022
We established a new community-managed nursery in Irango, producing a total of 23,000 seedlings, including 11,003 different timber tree species and 11,997 cacao seedlings.
Spring 2022
The local team is receiving new sewing machines to grow their sewing courses for in rural areas of Virunga region.
Winter 2021
IDAD (our local team) is organizing capacity building in mushroom growing to improve local nutrition.
Autum 2021
Despite the COVID pandemic and international logistic problems, Original Beans manages to keep importing from D.R. Congo. The local team keeps purchasing fresh cacao from female farmers in remote areas thereby creating vital income.
Summer 2021
Our Bean Team planted 70.000 trees that were raised in the local nurseries.
Spring 2021
44 young women participated in alphabetisation courses in rural areas and passed their exams, 38 young women participated in sewing classes and 232 woman participated in leadership courses.
Winter 2020
The Femmes de Virunga coop has started selling honey on the local market to grow houshold income.
Autumn 2020
Our Bean Team distributed 92.865 tree seedlings to over 100 families, improving their agroforestry cacao systems.
Summer 2020
Our local Bean Team trained 113 farmers in 11 villages (Maboloko, Malese, Ngazi, Runzayi, Irango, Visiki, Mundubiena, Mukasa, Ibolo, Kenembahore, Apiuthu) in beekeeping and honey production.
Spring 2020
Our local Bean Team installed new nurseries to grow native forest trees and regenerate the buffer forest of Virunga Park.
Winter 2019
Our partners trained over 1.800 families in 10 rural districts for Ebola prevention.
Autumn 2019
Our Femmes harvested organically grown vegetable for nutrition improvement and sales on the local market.
Autumn 2018
Our Bean Team equipped and trained dozens of women to sow bee-protected clothing.
Autumn 2017
COODAD launched a local honey production project.
Autumn 2016
The Bean Team established the world’s first women-led cacao cooperative.
Spring 2015
Our partners provided leadership. and micro-enterprise training to hundreds of women.
Autumn 2014
Femmes de Virunga chocolate launched.
Spring 2013
Our Bean Team began teaching hundreds of femmes de Virunga to read and write.
Femmes de Virunga 55%
Essence of roasted nuts and cappuccino inspire and empower as the Femmes de Virunga takes hold of you. The strong taste of a rare Amelonado cacao honours the strength of women farmers lifting up lives in Virunga Park.