Burundi Star Coffee

Burundi Star Coffee is a woman-owned and immigrant-owned coffee shop located in Portland, Maine. Jocelyne Kamikazi, the daughter of a Burundi coffee farmer, and the US representative of the IWCA (International Women Coffee Alliance) to Burundi, is the owner. After being saddened by a visit back to her hometown, where she saw coffee farmers struggling to make ends meet she was determined to do something about it. From this determination she identified some goals and Burundi Star Coffee was born. Her goals were the following:

1. Empower women & girls who are not given the same opportunities as their male counterparts in Burundi regarding education and growth
2. Create a business that enables a continuous stream of revenue into my poverty-stricken community and other communities like it in Burundi
3. Give coffee farmers a voice through fair trade practices and open communication
4. Bring the bold, richly flavored coffee & delicious food of my childhood to my new community in Maine

All of this cafe’s coffee comes directly from women farmers who grow, produce, and operate in the Mwaro, Ngozi, Kayanza, and Kirimiro regions of Burundi. In addition to coffee, there are also options for food. Customers can choose from a range of both savory and sweet options. Many of dishes are inspired by traditional Burundi recipes. Occasionally they sell handmade art tools and from Burundi artisans. This coffee shop is open daily and can be reached via email or phone. For more information please visit their website and social media pages