A Southampton-based coffee company is raising money to support a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Mozzo, based in Millbrook at the Chancerygate Business Centre, is raising money for the Hospital of Hope, which is run by the Rebuild Women’s Hope Coffee Cooperative.

The cooperative, which produces specialty Arabica beans, was founded in 2013 by Marceline on Idjwi Island in the eastern DRC and aims to empower women financially through coffee production.

The cooperative has been able to operate amid conflict in the DRC, providing support and resources to independent coffee farmers.

Mozzo's relationship with Rebuild Women's Hope began in 2018.

Since then, Mozzo has used proceeds from its C2C Fund to build the Matumaini Clinic, a maternity and paediatric clinic on Idjwi Island.

Since its opening in 2020, the clinic has treated thousands of patients for various health needs. However, the clinic is now under pressure due to an influx of refugees fleeing violence in Goma.

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Hospital of Hope and the site of the extension.Hospital of Hope and the site of the extension. (Image: Mozzo Coffee) Mozzo had already pledged to raise $60,000 for the hospital, but due to the current situation, the company is urging people to help it reach its target faster.

As of the end of March, Mozzo has raised £32,081 towards the hospital expansion.

Grant Lang, founder of Mozzo, said: "The DRC is a beautiful country and home to a brave and resilient population. We stand in solidarity with our friends at Rebuild Women's Hope cooperative, and with the innocent people of the DRC.

"Hearing of the atrocities of this conflict first-hand, we implore our own governments to help end the suffering and bloodshed of blameless communities and stop the escalation of warfare inside, and out, of DRC borders.

"We will continue to support the courageous efforts of Rebuild Women's Hope and are more determined than ever to meet our $60,000 target to build the extension for the Hospital of Hope."

People can support Mozzo's fundraising efforts by buying from its collection of Rebuild Women’s Hope coffees, with 100 per cent of the profits going towards the Hospital of Hope expansion project.

For more information, visit the Mozzo Coffee website.