Delicious Peace Founder JJ Keki at Jewlicious Festival

Mirembe Kawomera Cooperative was formed in 2004 and is made up of 400 farmers and their families. It is one of six smaller co-ops under the larger Gumutindo Cooperative which brings together over 2,400 Ugandan farmers. This cooperative of Jews, Muslims, and Christians is a rare partnership. Uganda’s history of religious and tribal divides is put in the past by this cooperative’s emphasis on respect and diversity.

Mirembe Kawomera Cooperative was created by JJ Keki, an Abayudaya Jew and the current co-op leader. To create the cooperative, Mr. Keki traveled on foot, knocking on each of his neighbor’s doors, asking Jews, Muslims, and Christians to put aside their differences and join him to create an extraordinary partnership. Keki was assisted by Kulanu, a U.S.-based NGO and long-time supporter of the Abayudaya (“Jewish people” in Luganda).

Joining JJ Keki will be Ben Corey-Moran, Thanksgiving Coffee’s Aide to Coffee Development, and Holly Moskowitz, Project Director, will also be joining us for the entire weekend.