Behind every cup of coffee is a story. A story of people, family, hard work and the land they depend on.

In the summer of 2026, I travelled through Uganda and Rwanda with Lisa from Dear Green Coffee. Together, we met the people behind the coffee we drink every day. I wanted to hear their stories and photograph life beyond the harvest. Most of all, I wanted to understand what coffee means to the people who grow it.

During our time in Kinini, Rwanda, I spent time with members of the KCRS women’s producers group. Hearing their stories was powerful. More than that, I saw how coffee had helped build confidence, independence and new opportunities. It was about much more than the quality of the coffee they produce.

As we spent time together, I photographed the big moments and the small ones. From conversations over coffee to family life and people working together, each moment offered a glimpse into life in the mountains and the communities that call them home.

Later that afternoon, we visited Sepharine’s farm. There, I photographed her family, neighbours and husband, Xavier. After that, we climbed higher into the mountains, where the landscape grew more dramatic with every turn. We stopped at a collection station before reaching the farm of Amna, another KCRS member. Sitting more than 2,000 metres above sea level, her farm is home to around 1,800 coffee trees.

Throughout the journey, however, it was the people who stayed with me most. Their stories, their humour and their pride in their work all left a lasting impression. Just as importantly, they welcomed us into their lives with warmth and generosity. For me, spending time with people in their own surroundings is one of the most rewarding parts of being a photographer.

Ultimately, this journey reminded me that coffee is about much more than what ends up in a cup.

Finally, Kinini marked the end of our 12-day journey through Uganda and Rwanda. Yet, the story did not end when I came home. Instead, I returned with thousands of photographs, countless conversations and a much deeper understanding of the people behind the coffee.