Silverback Tea

Today, at our Rugabano Board meeting, I shared a small tribute to Sir Ian Wood, my partner and mentor, who passed away last month. In 2016, we stood together looking across the largely barren hills of Rugabano. Sir Ian saw possibility. He believed tea could transform these hills and, more importantly, give thousands of smallholder farmers the opportunity to build secure and independent livelihoods. Ten years later, that hope has become a reality. Rugabano is today one of Rwanda’s leading tea-growing areas, supporting thousands of farmers through Rwanda Outgrowers Services. Its tea has taken the top spot at the Mombasa auction, and this month we will launch a cable system to transport green leaf from the hills. Among Sir Ian’s many accomplishments, I believe the hope he gave to the farmers of Rugabano will be an enduring part of his legacy. I will deeply miss his presence, counsel and friendship. I pledge to continue the work we began together and his belief in the farmers of Rugabano and the future they are building for themselves.