Even though I was born in Ghent (Belgium), I grew up in Burundi. Through my father’s job, I came in contact with coffee and all aspects in its cultivation and processing at an early age and soon developed an interest that never faded. In order to pursue my passion, I returned to Belgium to study agriculture, with a focus on tropical agriculture.
After graduating, I started working in Belgium, but kept an eye out for a job abroad, preferably something to do with coffee. A few years after graduating, I got my first chance to work in Tanzania for the Belgian NGO IVA (later TRIAS), during which period I learned that I thoroughly enjoyed working in the field, in close contact with the local farmers.
When, three years later, I got the chance to work with coffee farmers for Nestle China, I took it with both hands. Since 2005 I have been living in Pu’er (Yunnan Province) together with my wife and daughter, where I divide my time between managing the Nestle Coffee Agricultural Service/Buying Station and technical assistance to the farmers in the field.
After graduating, I started working in Belgium, but kept an eye out for a job abroad, preferably something to do with coffee. A few years after graduating, I got my first chance to work in Tanzania for the Belgian NGO IVA (later TRIAS), during which period I learned that I thoroughly enjoyed working in the field, in close contact with the local farmers.
When, three years later, I got the chance to work with coffee farmers for Nestle China, I took it with both hands. Since 2005 I have been living in Pu’er (Yunnan Province) together with my wife and daughter, where I divide my time between managing the Nestle Coffee Agricultural Service/Buying Station and technical assistance to the farmers in the field.