Coffee Roaster Project

The Agape Coffee Roaster project, which originated from Andrea and Garth Slysz's first visit to the Koshe dump and Alert Hospital in Addis Ababa in 2019, aims to foster financial independence for women impacted by leprosy. Many of these women reside in the Koshe dump without hope for employment or financial stability.

In March 2023, Andrea and Garth Slysz travelled to the Alert Hospital again, this time to set up the new roaster, train the staff, and build local partnerships for the AGAPE Coffee Roasting project's success.

FAME Canada, thanks to generous donations, purchased a Probat Coffee roaster to establish micro-businesses for these women. Alert Hospital has teamed up with FAME Canada for long-term supervision of this project.

The Lord blessed the Agape Coffee Roaster Project as He protected the Probat coffee roaster during its transport from Germany to the Alert Hospital in Ethiopia. We thank God that the roaster is safely installed and operating well.

FAME Canada is thankful to Marion and Jim Harris from Beacon East Ministries for their assistance in organizing and facilitating meetings with ALERT Hospital prior to Garth and Andrea’s arrival. As well, FAME Canada appreciates the assistance of Just Us Coffee founder Jeff Moore and general manager Joey Pittoello. Their knowledge of the roaster and connections to coffee growers in Ethiopia have been invaluable in this project.

We praise God for the business skills education provided by the WISE organization (funded by FAME Canada). This education was given to 30 women with leprosy who wish to establish microbusinesses, such as selling roasted coffee beans in markets and bazaars in Addis Ababa. These women were honored and delighted to receive this education.

A staff of 5 Christian women will operate the roaster. FAME Canada has committed to providing their salaries and the coffee bean supply for up to a year.

Alert Hospital, the owner of the roaster, will oversee the project. The hospital is poised to assist and organize the 150 people from the leprosy community as they begin their micro-businesses.