“Brewing Coffee Curiosity, Inspiring Futures”
Program Overview
The Barista Mtaani for Juniors (BMJ Program) is a pioneering initiative that introduces children and teenagers (ages 5–17) to the world of coffee, creativity, and entrepreneurship in a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate way. Designed as an experiential learning program, it nurtures curiosity, responsibility, and skills development while celebrating coffee as part of Kenya’s heritage and global identity.
Rather than focusing only on technical barista skills, BMJ blends playful exploration, life skills, STEM learning, and creativity to help children develop into confident, innovative, and responsible young individuals.
Objectives of the BMJ Program
- Cultural Awareness
- Introduce children to coffee as a heritage crop deeply rooted in Kenya’s history.
- Build pride in being part of a coffee-producing nation.
- Early Skills Development
- Teach basic hands-on barista skills like making safe coffee drinks (decaf, mocktails, latte art with milk/foam).
- Develop soft skills: teamwork, communication, creativity, and problem-solving.
- STEM & Creativity Connection
- Coffee as a lens to learn science (chemistry of brewing), math (measurements & ratios), and art (latte art, branding, storytelling).
- Entrepreneurship Mindset
- Expose juniors to simple business concepts like branding, pricing, and customer service.
- Organize Junior Coffee Markets where kids showcase their creations.
- Life Skills & Career Inspiration
- Plant seeds for future baristas, roasters, agripreneurs, and innovators.
- Build confidence and resilience from an early age.
Age-Tiered Program Tracks
1. Little Brewers (5–8 years)
- Focus: Play & Curiosity
- Activities:
- Coffee storytelling (“From Farm to Cup” animated stories).
- Simple sensory games: smelling coffee beans, touching grounds, identifying aromas.
- Fun creative sessions: painting with coffee, making coffee bean crafts.
2. Junior Baristas (9–12 years)
- Focus: Discovery & Teamwork
- Activities:
- Basic drink-making (safe decaf coffee, cocoa, smoothies, mocktails).
- Latte art practice with chocolate powder & milk foam.
- Introduction to sustainability (why coffee farms matter).
- Mini group challenges (create your own café brand).
3. Teen Coffeepreneurs (13–17 years)
- Focus: Skill & Leadership
- Activities:
- Hands-on barista training (espresso basics, grinding, brewing).
- Intro to roasting & cupping sessions.
- Entrepreneurship workshops (branding, pricing, customer service).
- Competitions: “Junior Barista Championship.”
Why It’s Important to Introduce Coffee Skills Early
- Cultural Identity & Heritage
- Kenya is a global coffee leader, yet most youth grow up disconnected from it. BMJ reconnects children to coffee as part of their national identity.
- STEM & Creativity Development
- Coffee is a perfect platform to teach science, technology, engineering, math, and arts in an applied, exciting way.
- Empowerment & Confidence
- Kids develop hands-on, practical skills that boost confidence and inspire curiosity about future careers.
- Entrepreneurial Mindset
- By learning business basics early, children develop a foundation for financial literacy and innovation.
- Future-Ready Careers
- The specialty coffee industry is booming globally. Early exposure positions Kenyan youth as future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in coffee.