Clean Coffee, Healthy Communities
Barista Mtaani & Kenya Coffee School’s WASH Program for Hygienic, Professional Coffee Service
Why This Matters for Kenya’s Coffee Sector?
- Health & Safety: Prevents foodborne diseases (e.g., cholera, E. coli) in coffee shops and homes.
- Quality & Reputation: Clean water and tools improve coffee taste and customer trust.
- Youth Empowerment: Teaches employable skills—hygiene is mandatory for hotels/restaurants.
- SDG Alignment: Supports Goal 6 (Clean Water/Sanitation) and Kenya’s Vision 2030 for health and agriculture.
Core Training Modules
1. Water for Coffee: From Source to Cup
- Testing Water Quality: Simple methods (e.g., pH strips, turbidity tubes) to ensure safe brewing water.
- Affordable Treatment: Boiling, filtration (charcoal/sand), and safe storage.
- Conservation: Recycling rinse water for coffee nurseries (links to regenerative farming).
2. Sanitation in the Coffee Chain
- Farm Level: Clean cherry handling, handwashing stations for pickers.
- Barista Level:
- Daily Cleaning Routines: How to sanitize grinders, mugs, and milk frothers with local detergents (e.g., Jik).
- Low-Cost Solutions: Vinegar for descaling, sunlight for drying equipment.
- Waste Management: Proper disposal of coffee grounds to avoid attracting pests.
3. Personal Hygiene for Baristas
- Handwashing Drills: 20-second practice with local soap (e.g., Tura).
- Workplace Habits: Covering hair, short nails, clean aprons (using recycled fabric).
- Sickness Policy: When to avoid handling coffee (e.g., diarrhea, flu).
4. Community Hygiene Advocacy
- “Clean Coffee Kiosk” Certification: Grading system for vendors meeting WASH standards.
- Peer Training: Barista Mtaani graduates teach WASH in their neighborhoods.
Grassroots Implementation
Barista Mtaani’s Role
- Mobile Training Units: WASH modules in informal settlements (e.g., Mathare, Kibera) using drama/songs.
- Hygiene Kits: Distribute soap, test strips, and cleaning brushes to graduates.
- “Safi Barista” Competitions: Reward cleanest coffee stations with prizes (e.g., water filters).
Kenya Coffee School’s Role
- Certification Program: “WASH for Coffee” diploma add-on for professional baristas.
- Cooperative Partnerships: Train farmers on water safety for processing (e.g., fermenting tanks).
- Tech Integration: Use SMS reminders for cleaning schedules (via e.g., M-Pesa APIs).
Policy & Sustainability
- Link to Government: Partner with Ministry of Health for coffee vendor hygiene regulations.
- Funding: Pitch to County Governments and NGOs (e.g., WaterAid Kenya) for WASH grants.
- Media Campaigns: Partner with local influencers to promote #SafiCoffeeChallenge.
Expected Impact
- Health: Fewer coffee-related illnesses in low-income communities.
- Jobs: WASH-certified baristas gain hiring priority in hotels.
- Brand Trust: “Safi Coffee” label attracts ethical buyers.
Next Steps:
Develop Swahili/vernacular training comics (Story telling) for wider reach.
Pilot in 3 Counties (Kiambu, Nyeri, Nairobi) with 500 trainees.
