August 2011
The money raised from the recent fundraiser is just over the €15 000 mark. We will continue to raise funds for this project as we'd like to realise its completion. We'd like to encourage you to contribute via a donation to Plan Ireland. You can also donate via our facebook page by clicking on the give now tab which will take you straight to Plan Ireland.
April 2011
So we had a month of fundraising which culminated in a final fundraiser 'coffee in conversation' hosted by Jacobs at Fire Restaurant. Danuta Grey was interviewed by Tom McEnaney. We'd like to thank Jacobs, Design Tactics for getting involved to the level that they did and, naturally, our sincerest thanks go to Plan Ireland who are managing the project and fundraising on our behalf.
March 2011
We have taken this water project very seriously and plan to keep you updated every step of the way. It's been a long walk. We now embark on an epic journey to raise the remainder of the money needed to finish off the water project in the worst possible time: a recession. However, we are determined to finish what we started and we believe with a little help from our friends and coffee lovers in general we can and will raise the money. Get involved and help us by visiting http://plan.ie/what-you-can-do/coffee-week-2011
January 2010
David McKernan travelled to Illili Darartu. Tim Desmond and others involved and interested in the project joined David. Tim Desmond produced a documentary for Radio One and a docu-movie. Funding towards this is supported by the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. Click on the link to see the DVD http://www.youtube.com/user/JavaRepublic#p/a/u/1/K26AIuxd0FU
February 2009
David Dalton of Plan International told us that water had been found and there were good quantities. The water was tested for quality. It was found to be of a good quality and part two of the project was undertaken:the civil works i.e. pipeline, reservoir etc
We were then given an update from another source, Ewan Reid of Mathew Algie was in Ethiopia and sent us these pictures. Thanks Ewan! Ewan's comments 'I was working in Ethiopia last week and past the new well that you financed the day that the drilling team were starting to flush it out. I've attached some pics for you'
The first phase of the project, which involved drilling a borehole to 120 metres was completed - as you can see from the photos. The second phase of the project involves building a pump house, piping works and installation of a reservoir approximately two kilometres away from the borehole.
IN 2008
In partnership with Connect Ethiopia, we searched to find someone who could manage the project for us and be just as committed as we were. We were fortunate to meet David Dalton of Plan International and the water project in Ethiopia is now being managed through Plan International. A lot of background work was done - surveys of the area. At times we were despondent as it seemed to take so long. We were warned that this was not going to be a quick fix. Nearly eighteen months after the charity night, work on a borehole has started. We were elated.
WAY BACK IN 2007
We promised you an evening that you would never forget – and it’s certainly one that we will never forget: the warm generosity of our sponsors and bidders was overwhelming. We had a hugely ambitious target €150 000 and to achieve €138 545 was down to you and your amazing generosity. The impact and very real difference that this money will make in the lives of the little village in Ethiopia is immeasurable.
THE HISTORY TO OUR COMMITMENT:
Imagine walking (yes, walking) 6 hours (don't even think about the heat) to get a cup of water that looks like a cup of tea and tastes like... Well, that's the harsh reality of life for many in Ethiopia.
Illili Darartu - how do you even pronounce the name? We are told by the Oromian people of Ethiopia that Illili Darartu (a co-operative in Harrar) means 'Flowering Flower'. This phrase conjures up images of a flowing river, an oasis of colour, vibrant life and floral beauty: a jewel in the exotic Ethiopian countryside of Harrar. The reality couldn't be further from the truth. Illili Darartu falls in a very dry region of Harrar and water is valuable! Ever since the nearby town of Bendeno has grown in size, piped water has stopped flowing and water must be obtained from the valley. A round trip that takes six hours in total! (This is no Prada parade!).
The Vision: There are 590 members in the Illili Darartu co-operative, which produces approximately 400 tonnes of coffee per year. Each member is typically a coffee-growing family and produces roughly 700 kilograms. For the local community, the education of their children is paramount: the greatest gift that a parent could give their child. When chatting to growers about their life and their future, they half-joked that their children one day might become water experts and solve their water access problems.
To take you briefly back in time and to establish just where this ties up, in October 2005, David McKernan visited Ethiopia with a view to increasing trade through the purchase of beans and met an extraordinary man (Tadese Masekela) who manages the Oromia Coffee Union. What he saw completely challenged him. He was determined to create an awareness of the plight of the Ethiopian coffee community by developing an exclusive African Espresso Blend. During 2006, we were hard at work to develop the blend whilst encouraging and arranging for a group of our interested coffee customers, hoteliers, restaurateurs and journalists to visit Ethiopia through our involvement with Connect Ethiopia.
The Mission - They received a welcome that was genuine, warm and generous. It as overwhelming - many (if not all) were in tears. The group camped in the field beside the school, and chatted to the farming families. Their plan had been to support the coffee community through trade, but all they wanted was the basics: fresh water, electricity, a clinic, and a good education for their children. Imagine a school built from wood, with mud floors, no light, no desks - nothing! It was powerfully thought-provoking, and our team came away determined to help.
This trip has challenged all who visited the plantation, experienced the harsh reality and the savage beauty of the birth place of coffee. Their coffee (figuratively speaking) will never be the same again. Java Republic are passionate in their belief that the lives of the people of Illili Darartu will never be the same either by changing their lives for the better. Firstly, by increasing their trade with the Oromia Co-operative through the purchase of green beans and secondly by raising money towards a water plant for the supply of fresh water.
