At the Trafalgar Management Away Day, Mark Hollington talked about a very special relationship between TE and the Point Foundation, a charity which, through its cooperative organisation, raises funds to provide schooling, housing and medical care to the mountainous coffee growing villages of Rwanda. The cooperative enriches and transforms the lives of thousands of children, their families and communities.

Through the charity, TE purchases its coffee (Caffe Praego) from the coffee growing regions of Rwanda, and in turn, money from those sales is poured back into those communities and the schemes which support them. Amongst many other contributions, the funds generated by TE purchasing alone pays for ten disabled children to be fully educated (including daily transport, books and other support needs).

Mark, said: “Trafalgar has purposefully protected its relationship with the Point Foundation because of the significant impact that we as an organisation have on the charity and its people. And we ring-fence them from competitive procurement practices because there is a social and ethical partnership that, through our values and commitments – we want to protect and nurture.

“This Rwandan cooperative are not-for-profit and focus on schooling and providing economy for small villages and communities throughout the mountainous regions of Rwandan coffee bean growing regions.

“This is something which our audience members or indeed many of our colleagues would not be aware of, but we make these decisions as part of a balanced approach to managing the commerciality and the ethical and sustainability credentials of the operation.”

One of the Point Foundation’s Directors visited the region and told Mark: “The visit really brought home the huge impact that Caffe Praego and Tea Pigs are having for those living in one of the poorest regions in central East Africa. Mwogo Bugesera has a community of some 30,000 people, with 95% unemployment with the majority of adults, youth and children working the land.

“I was able to meet many of our previous students, who have graduated over the past four years, starting to make a life for themselves, with actual jobs in hospitality, tailoring and hair and beauty work placements. It was an absolute joy. I was also able to meet up with the children who Trafalgar Theatres fund their school fees at House of Children School.

“None of the work we are able to do would happen, without your huge support and contribution. THANK YOU so much for all you do, to help our PF team both here in the UK and our PF colleagues in Rwanda deliver life changing events. We truly appreciate your very valued business.”