Because together, we have done it. We have reached the target of $80,000 needed to build an intensive care unit and an operating theater at the Hospital of Hope on Idjwi Island in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Back in 2020, we built the Hospital of Hope together with Rebuild Women’s Hope (RWH) coffee cooperative. Today, we’re helping expand it, so that more people on the island can access vital, life-saving care.
As our Founder Grant reflects:
''To everyone who has supported our Life-Saving Coffee Campaign since 2024, or who has ever purchased Mozzo, thank you. Your coffee choice has made this possible. It is not an overstatement to say that your choice of coffee has, and will, save lives. From all of us here at Mozzo and the Rebuild Women’s Hope (RWH) coffee cooperative, thank you.’’
Construction is well underway, but the community of Idjwi is facing one of the country's most challenging periods in recent years.
Building Through Difficult Times
If reaching this incredible target represents anything, it is a celebration of the extraordinary power of people. It reflects the hope, determination and resilience of the community on Idjwi Island and the collective impact of every person who has chosen to support this project simply by drinking coffee.
Raising the funds for the project has taken on an even deeper meaning and significance in the face of the extremely difficult challenges the country continues to face. The ongoing political conflict in the DRC has displaced millions of people, while, more recently, the country has also been responding to its 17th Ebola outbreak, including South Kivu province, home to RWH coffee cooperative and the Hospital of Hope.
These challenges have inevitably affected the pace at which the extension is being built. Transporting materials, coordinating construction, and simply maintaining the momentum have all become more complex. Progress has slowed, but it hasn’t stopped, and the determination of the community of the island to keep moving forward remains as strong as ever.
For the people of Idjwi Island, daily life has become increasingly difficult too. Travel is often restricted due to the Ebola outbreak, while access to banking and other services has been limited. This is particularly difficult for coffee farmers and many rural communities who don’t have access to digital banking.
Education saves lives
Despite all of the challenges, the Hospital of Hope continues to grow. Alongside expanding healthcare facilities, education on the Ebola outbreak remains a vital part of protecting the community.
Misinformation and limited access to reliable health information continue to make outbreaks harder to contain across the provinces. Helping communities understand how the virus spreads, how to protect themselves and when to seek treatment is incredibly important to help contain the outbreak.
At the Hospital of Hope, Dr Fyfy, one of the hospital’s lead doctors, is still able to travel to reach patients and provide essential medical care wherever it is needed. Alongside her daily clinic work, she is also mentoring two female doctors in the care of gender-based violence. As the political conflict has intensified in recent months, reports of gender-based violence have continued to rise. By mentoring the next generation of female doctors, Dr Fyfy is helping ensure that more survivors can access compassionate, expert care.
Our commitment is resolute
In a context where conflict and health emergencies continue to place pressure on communities, access to reliable healthcare is not just essential, it is a lifeline.
The extension of the Hospital of Hope will provide an expanded safe place for communities to access already-limited healthcare. Offering emergency treatment, surgery, intensive care, maternity services, specialist support for women and children, as well as preventative healthcare for the whole community.
Together, our customers’ choice to drink Mozzo coffee has made this possible.
‘’There’s perhaps no product on earth that truly connects us like coffee. While we can’t choose where we are born along coffee’s value chain, we can choose what coffee we drink and the impact that it does or doesn’t make. This autumn, we will share the story of the completed hospital extension, and then what is next.‘’
Grant, Founder of Mozzo.
Thank you.