As part of the Week of Fair Trade, running from October 7 to 17, the Oxfam World Shop De Drie Wijzen in Kuurne is focusing on Congolese fairtrade coffee. Through various initiatives, the shop aims to demonstrate that coffee from East Congo is not only a quality product but also a significant driver of hope, income, and future opportunities for thousands of families.
While East Congo frequently makes headlines due to conflicts and the struggle for natural resources, another form of wealth is also growing: coffee. Thanks to fair trade practices and strong cooperatives, coffee producers are building more stable incomes and better prospects for their entire families. For many farmers in Kivu, fairtrade coffee represents more than just an agricultural product; it is a source of stability and hope.
Marcelline Budza, founder of the Congolese women's organization Rebuild Women’s Hope, with which Oxfam collaborates, highlights the importance of fair trade for women: "Women did the majority of the work but had no say in anything. I wanted to change that." Fair trade empowers women with more influence, income, and opportunities.
From September 14 to October 31, customers purchasing 1 kg of coffee (either 1 kg or 4 x 250 g) will receive a free Women’s Hope coffee cup valued at € 7.90, while supplies last.
During the Week of Fair Trade (October 7 to 17), De Drie Wijzen Kuurne invites residents to learn about the story behind Congokoffie. Customers can enjoy a cup of coffee and share why they have a 'bean for Oxfam coffee' by dropping a bean into a cup representing their favorite reason. This initiative aims to show that Oxfam Fair Trade offers more than just a fair price and premium; it stands for pure quality, support for women's rights, and climate-friendly cultivation.
Pol van De Drie Wijzen adds: "With every cup of Congokoffie, you choose not only for quality but also for a fairer trade system. Fair trade begins with the price farmers receive for their work. That is where real change starts."
On October 17, customers can bring any brand of empty coffee packaging to the World Shop and exchange it for a free 250g pack of Women’s Hope Congokoffie (beans or ground), valued at € 8.60.
Practical information: The free coffee cup is available from September 14 to October 31. The 'A bean for Oxfam coffee' promotion runs from October 7 to 17. The coffee exchange event takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 AM to 12 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM at De Drie Wijzen.
