Celebrating Our Pioneering “Beans”

Over the years, many people and organizations have contributed initial “beans” of support that have grown into healthy Grounds for Health programs in the Americas and Africa.

As the program manager here in Africa, I can tell you first hand that for Grounds for Health Ethiopia, the starting bean was planted by Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Company.

Dean’s Beans wanted to make a difference in the lives of women in the Sidama coffee growing communities and saw value in the cervical cancer prevention intervention of Grounds for Health.

In collaboration with the Sidama Coffee Union, five health centers have started services in Wonsho District with the help of Dean’s Beans: Gajaba, Hunkute, Bokaso, First Ferro and Gudumo.

Our current presence in Ethiopia speaks volumes about the value of Dean’s Bean support. Grounds for Health is currently active in 30 districts across Ethiopia and is on our way to screen over 17,000 women in 2017. We have trained 55 health providers from 24 health facilities in cervical cancer prevention and are continually looking for innovative ways to have even more impact.

We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without that initial “bean” from Orange, Massachusetts.

“Dean’s Bean was the “bean” that started our cervical cancer prevention program in Ethiopia. And as a result, I now help manage a program that is 30 times bigger and bolder in Ethiopia alone. I get to make a difference in the lives of over 17,000 women directly. I could not be happier. I get to merge two of my passions at Grounds for Health: coffee and wellbeing!”

Dagmawi Iyasu
Program Manager for Africa