Aline Kwizera - Long Miles Coffee as a Washing Station Manager

Aline, a 35-year-old wife and mother of two daughters, began her story with Long Miles Coffee in 2014. She was hired at Bukeye Washing Station, the first station established by Long Miles in Burundi, known for its high-quality coffee and deep connection with farming communities.

She started as the supervisor of the hand-picking team, responsible for identifying and removing defective beans, a role that required a sharp eye, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of quality. Over the years, Aline’s commitment, professionalism, and ability to learn quickly earned her the respect of her team and leadership. In 2021, she became the Assistant Manager of Coffee Quality Control, and by 2023, Aline was promoted to Washing Station Manager at Bukeye.

As a manager, Aline now oversees the entire operations of the washing station, from strategic planning and farmer engagement to processing and team coordination. Her role also includes leading support programs for farmers, a responsibility she carries with pride and purpose.

Aline’s story is not only one of professional success, but also of personal transformation. She grew up in a rural community where women were often excluded from decision-making and expected to remain in the background. Today, she leads a team that includes her husband, a coffee scout at Long Miles, a powerful symbol of how gender dynamics are shifting through the work of Long Miles. At work, she is his boss, and at home, she is his equal.

She was the first woman in her region to lead a washing station, an achievement that has challenged cultural norms and inspired her community. Her leadership has become a model for what is possible when women are empowered. The respect she has earned at work has translated into respect at home and in her neighborhood, influencing how women are seen and valued.

Through her job, Aline has been able to provide her daughters with the kind of education she never had, enrolling them in a quality school where school fees are no longer a worry. She and her husband have bought land to secure their future and have begun building a new home, a dream in progress. Aline is now financially independent, a reality that brings dignity and opportunity not just to her, but to her whole household.

Aline says her story has taught her that the Gospel can be lived out in many different ways. For her, it’s through the empowerment of others, the restoration of dignity, and the transformation of lives. She sees her path as proof that changing one story can ripple out to impact many.

She expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed to Long Miles’ mission, those who invest their time, skills, and resources. “Because of you,” she says, “I’ve not only changed my life, but I’m helping change the stories of others.”