A Ugandan man whose university education was funded by a Radlett couple has recently opened his own coffee bean business.
Wycliffe Sande met Verity and Scott Weir after a chance encounter with the couple’s daughter, Heather, who was volunteering in Uganda during her gap year. Wycliffe, who was orphaned at age 12, was doing odd jobs around Heather’s accommodation to fund his own education. Heather introduced him to her parents, who decided to support him.
Verity said: “We were able to sponsor Wycliffe through a law degree at the University of Johannesburg, which runs an exchange with Richmond University, and so Wycliffe ended up coming to the UK and staying with us in Radlett.”
Wycliffe lived with Scott and Verity for several months before moving to London.
Now, he has opened the first black African-owned coffee bean business to be stocked in British shops. Alongside ensuring that farmers are paid fairly, every pack of Blue Turaco sold funds two meals for a child living near Wycliffe’s hometown of Mityana.
Verity said: “No one ever told Wycliffe he can’t do stuff, and so he just does it. He’s the kind of person who leaves you stunned.
“Now Wycliffe has three children who call us grandma and grandpa.”
Blue Turaco is now stocked in Waitrose. Find out more at blueturacocoffee.com
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