The Coffee Project and the Heart of Mission Fiji

A Natural Opportunity

Over the past few years, the coffee project has been the primary focus of Mission Fiji. While our mission has remained the same—following the opportunities that flow naturally out of our grassroots heart—this venture emerged almost serendipitously. During one of our visits to the highlands of Viti Levu, we stumbled upon wild coffee plants flourishing in the mountains. This discovery wasn’t just chance; it was the beginning of something transformative.

The Shift During Covid

When COVID hit, the coffee project became the perfect opportunity to focus our efforts stateside. With travel restrictions (and also starting families) keeping us from returning to Fiji, we turned our attention to facilitating harvests remotely. This shift allowed us to not only sustain our mission but also expand its impact. Since the pandemic, we’ve overseen multiple harvests, employing more and more Fijian families with each one.

Empowering Local Leaders

This project has been deeply tied to the people who have always been part of Mission Fiji. Tala Dan, our long-time boots-on-the-ground coordinator, stepped into an even bigger role during this time, ensuring the mission stayed strong despite the distance. In the highlands, Tala Neivua took the reins as our coffee manager, organizing foraging efforts and bringing his deep connection to Mission Fiji into this new venture.

The Impact of Fiji Wild Coffee

Fiji Wild Coffee has truly grown out of Mission Fiji’s heart and spirit, empowering communities and providing sustainable opportunities. It’s been a testament to what happens when we spot the resources right in front of us and plug into the natural flow of opportunity.

A Shift Back to the Villages

Now, as we look ahead, we’re sensing a shift back to working on some projects for villages on the coast that we’ve helped in the past. We’re thrilled to reconnect with those roots of Mission Fiji and dive into exciting new opportunities this year. While the coffee project remains an integral part of what we do, we’re ready to expand our focus once again, following the same grassroots principles that have guided us from the beginning.

Evolving with the Mission

Mission Fiji has always been about evolving, gaining new vision, and growing while staying true to the values that built us. Whether it’s coffee, community, or whatever comes next, we’ll continue to embrace the opportunities that come naturally, and we can’t wait to share them with you.