I can still feel the weight of my last visit.
When I set out to visit the village schools this month, I thought I knew what to expect.
But stepping into those classrooms again - and hearing the headteachers' updates - changes everything again. And gives us renewed focus.
Allow me to tell you more.
Our Schools Feeding Programme
As part of our mission to create a model where coffee truly pays for the communities that grow it, Blue Turaco Coffee provides meals for schools in Ugandan coffee-growing villages.
This is inspired by my own childhood experience of having to walk for miles and miles to get to school - on an empty stomach.
Every pack of Blue Turaco we sell, funds 2 school meals.
So far, we are supporting 7 schools and 1,800 bright-eyed children.
This is inspired by my own childhood experience of having to walk for miles and miles to get to school - on an empty stomach.
Every pack of Blue Turaco we sell, funds 2 school meals.
So far, we are supporting 7 schools and 1,800 bright-eyed children.
This is a hugely positive - it means more children get to school, are able to concentrate when they are there. And ultimately, more children complete their schooling and are set up for a better future.
The porridge we provide for school meals is based on corn that is grown by our fellow smallholder coffee farmers - creating a truly sustainable community system.
But this is just the start. There are many challenges to address. And in my most recent visit, these three stand out:
But this is just the start. There are many challenges to address. And in my most recent visit, these three stand out:
- The need for proper kitchens
- The need for more toilets
- The need for teacher housing
Lessons Under a Mango Tree
I’ve experienced lessons without books.
Without a desk.
Without a classroom.
With just the trees providing shade.
But lessons without food?
That’s by far the hardest part.
That's why our focus has been getting regular meals into schools.
But there is a knock-on challenge:
Where, and how, is this porridge cooked?
In most schools, the meals are prepared on an open fire - there is no proper kitchen to prepare meals safely and efficiently.
We need to build some.
When Privacy is a Luxury
The second challenge - school toilets.
In one school, boys and girls share the same single toilet.
In another, teachers use the same toilet as students.
I watch children waiting their turn, shuffling uncomfortably, surrounded by their classmates - no real privacy, no dignity.
It’s hard to feel at ease - and to keep everyone safe - when even this basic need isn’t met.
Long Distances
The third big challenge is teachers accessing schools reliably.
We know children - and teachers - from coffee-growing villages travel long distances to get to school.
That’s simply the reality of these very remote areas. And it’s why our School Feeding Programme exists.
But one thing that stood out to me this time was the knock-on effect of teachers' travel time.
The roads are hard to manage.
The rains cannot be predicted.
Teachers often arrive late.
Sometimes they don’t arrive at all.
And of course, this affects what can be taught.
But the exams still come - and there’s no grace for chapters never covered.
What We Can Do — Together
Building a coffee brand with impact beyond coffee isn’t just a slogan.
It’s a promise.
We can’t fix everything. But we can do this:
- Build more toilets - so girls and boys have separate spaces.
- Build proper kitchens - so the porridge we already provide has a safe place to be cooked.
- Build staff housing near the schools - so teachers can focus on teaching without worrying about the commute or the rain.
Now it’s time to tackle the steps beyond.
What Next?
I’m working on a plan now - with timelines, budgets, and partners.
But what excites me most is you - our community of coffee drinkers, retailers, and supporters.
You are the people who can make this happen.
- We'll start by securing funds and materials.
- We'll begin construction at two of the schools.
- Then expand to all seven schools - and beyond.
And I promise: progress won’t be silent.
I’ll share updates, photos, and stories as we go.
And you’ll feel every victory with us.
Every pack of Blue Turaco coffee sold helps make this work possible.
That's some powerful coffee.
Thank you for being with us.
Wycliffe
>> Blue Turaco Schools Feeding Programme
With every pack of our coffee that you buy, we purchase 2 meals in Ugandan village schools. We are currently supporting 5 schools, and 1800 children. And it's only the beginning.
