Coffee brand Lavazza and SPAR Bean Tree coffee shops have teamed up to offer barista training to the deaf community of South Africa, uplifting future job prospects.
Coffee changes millions of lives everyday. It possibly even saves a couple of lives! Many humans maintain that they are unable to function without their morning coffee, there are even memes to confirm this fact. Coffee doesn’t only revive the drinker, it also empowers the brewer.
Lavazza and SPAR Bean Tree have committed to uplifting the deaf community of South Africa by offering Ciro Coffee Academy barista training. When the training is completed a select number of SPAR Bean Tree coffee shops employ CCA-trained deaf baristas and offer specially designed Sign Language menus.
“Deaf baristas – and the Sign Language menus that enable communication and facilitate ordering at SPAR Bean Tree coffee shops – have been well-received by customers, who get excellent coffee and warm, friendly service.” – Debbie Haswell, SPAR’s group retail operations project manager.
One of the baristas that had the opportunity to enter the programme was Thabo Albert Mokhele. He completed his training two years ago and has been working at the SPAR Bean Tree in Hobart, Bryanston ever since. Thabo doesn’t think being a deaf barista is any different than being a hearing one.
“Working at SPAR Bean Tree coffee shop is a wonderful experience. I am happy when I can serve a customer a hot cup of coffee made with love.” – Thabo Albert Mokhele
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