On April 17th, 2024, parts of Burundi were hit by heavy rains that caused flooding and landslides. One of the places affected was Heza Washing Station, operated by our long-term partners at Long Miles Coffee Project.
Photos by Long Miles Coffee Project, Zsusza Zicho
The damage was extensive. A retaining wall collapsed in the area where coffee is received and processed, parts of the washing station were destroyed, vegetation was swept away and a section of their Gitwe farm was lost. At the same time, many families in the villages around Heza were heavily affected – hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed.
When a place that matters is hit
For us, Heza is more than a washing station. It plays an important role in everyday life for many people in the area, providing jobs, income and stability for coffee producers and their families. When the landslide struck, it quickly became clear that this was not only about damaged buildings, but about people’s livelihoods.
Rebuilding to protect the future
Once the scale of the damage became clear, it was obvious for us to contribute financially to the rebuilding. Long Miles Coffee Project led the work on the ground – it is their washing station, their team and their community. Our contribution made it possible to quickly begin securing the area.
One of the most important efforts was the construction of new retaining walls where the ground had given way. The walls stabilise the hillside and protect the washing station from future erosion during heavy rains. They were built using stone, reinforced steel cages filled with rock, and cement – a robust, long-term solution adapted to the steep terrain and the increasingly unpredictable weather.
Today, the retaining wall is complete. It protects both the washing station and the surrounding area, and is an important step in securing the future operations at Heza.
More than just a wall
One of the people working at Heza is Bucumi Lidwine from Mikuba Hill. She grew up in a large family and life took a difficult turn when her father passed away early. Later she found work at Heza Washing Station – a job that has become an important opportunity for her to support her family and create greater stability in everyday life.
When the landslide threatened Heza, more than a building was at stake. The new retaining wall is not only protection for the washing station itself – it is also a signal that the place remains and that the work continues.
The landslide also affected areas beyond the washing station. Homes and farms in nearby villages were destroyed, leaving many families without both shelter and parts of their crops. Alongside the rebuilding at Heza, support also helped families rebuild their homes.
Why this matters
For us, this is not only about stepping in when something goes wrong. It is about taking responsibility for the relationships we are part of and supporting solutions that create real stability over time.
In a reality where climate change is already affecting coffee-growing regions like Burundi, events like this are becoming more common. That makes long-term partnerships and local collaboration even more important.
Projects like the retaining wall at Heza are one small part of a larger effort – protecting not only coffee production, but also the people behind it.
