Sorwathe Tea Plantation

  SO (society), RWA (Rwanda), THE (tea) - SORWATHE
 

 We visited the tea plantation with friends and had a fabulous time!

People along the way.

Sorwathe Plantation grows somewhere around 668 acres of tea.
Sorwathe Factory produces 15-20% of the tea in Rwanda.

 

Almost there.

 

Welcoming decor on the beds.

Views from the guest house balcony.

















Next order of business... hiking through tea leaves

 

It was difficult to climb with kids on our backs.
Plus, we were a bit nervous about snakes... but we never saw one.

Tea Time.

Then, we went exploring the property...all kinds of beautiful flowers to enjoy.

 

 

Aloe Vera Plant

Dinner

Play Time

Bed Time

DAY 2

 

 Off to the factory tour

 

 Unloading tea leaves

 

Hats and lab coats to protect the tea

Aren't they dashing?

So stylish.

           Once the tour began, no cameras were allowed. 

We learned about different methods of producing tea - orthodox and non orthodox. We sampled green tea, black tea, white tea, silver tips... The factory was warm and odoriferous. 

Our kids were definitely ready to be done by the end of the tour.

The boiler that provides power for the factory.

Tea production chart by year. Notice how in 1994 (the year of the genocide) only 424 kilos were produced, compared with 1 and 2 thousand kilos on the years before and after. In Rwanda, we are constantly reminded of the dark history the people endured 20 years ago.

                            

 We purchased some tea and then it was time to go.

In his book Shake Hands With the Devil, Rome`o Dallaire shares that Sorwathe was a haven for him when he was in Rwanda during the genocide.

On the other hand, he remembers this river being full of bodies - an atrocious thought.

How different and beautiful it is in times of peace.

 May God continue to bless Rwanda as she rises.