It Takes a Village to empower communities: Alphonsine Musanabera’s story of entrepreneurship
Her journey—from struggling to make ends meet to running a thriving shop—shows how a global network of support can drive meaningful change.
Alphonsine’s story is a testament to the power of community. It embodies the heart of our ‘It Takes a Village’ campaign, which emphasizes how collective action can empower smallholder farmers to lift themselves and those around them.
A Family Legacy of Farming
Alphonsine grew up watching her parents struggle to provide for their family through farming. Poor harvests and a lack of resources meant they often ate just one meal a day. “We’d harvest just one bag of maize and beans—barely enough to survive,” Alphonsine recalls. But when her parents joined One Acre Fund, their lives began to transform. With access to modern seeds, fertilizers, and farming techniques, their yields quadrupled.
“I saw how One Acre Fund helped my parents move from hardship to stability. When I got married, I wanted to bring that same change to my new family.”
Her husband owned land but he wasn’t farming it. Alphonsine saw an opportunity. In 2020, she enrolled with One Acre Fund, determined to unlock the land’s potential and secure her family’s future.
“I didn’t hesitate to join One Acre Fund because I knew it would make a difference,” she explains. She’d seen the benefits that effective farming could bring to a family and, with the fulfillment of her dreams in mind, she saw farming as a means of improving her family’s fortunes.
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From Farmer to Entrepreneur
In her first season with One Acre Fund, Alphonsine harvested 100 kilograms of maize. By her second season, her bean harvest tripled to 300 kilograms.
“I was so happy because that was a very good starting point for the young family. It was so promising and I had hope that my family was not going to suffer”
Over time, she diversified her crops to include groundnuts, fruits, and maize, ensuring resilience against climate and market shocks.
Her growing yields allowed her to sell surplus produce, giving her the financial freedom to dream bigger. By saving 300,000 Rwandan francs (roughly $218), Alphonsine opened a local shop in 2023, selling everyday essentials to her neighbors.
The shop quickly became more than just a business—it became a community institution. Powered by a solar lamp she purchased on credit through One Acre Fund, Alphonsine’s shop stays open late, providing access to goods to her neighbors and fellow community members.
“I am serving my clients until late tonight because I have light,” Alphonsine explains with pride. The profits she makes from the shop, she says, are re-invested in the business. In this way, Alphonsine’s shop, well-stocked and lit effectively, becomes more and more important to the people that use it.
A Community Effort
Alphonsine’s success is rooted in the collective strength of her community. With support from One Acre Fund, she’s part of a network of farmers who share knowledge, practice sustainable farming techniques, and support each other in accessing markets.
Her shop and farm have become important resources in Rwamagana District. From selling surplus produce to stocking essentials, Alphonsine plays a key role in improving her neighbors’ quality of life.
“Because I have food at home, I don’t rely on the shop to feed my family. The profit helps me grow my business, and the more I grow, the more I can provide for my family.
Farming and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. When one person succeeds, it creates opportunities for others. That’s the power of a village.”
Planting Seeds for the Future
For Alphonsine, success isn’t just about the present—it’s about building a future for her family and community. She’s committed to ensuring her son, Moise, and future children receive a good education. “The best investment is in children’s education,” she says. “I’m still young, and I will work hard to ensure my kids have opportunities to succeed.”
“I want my kids to grow up with opportunities I never had,” she says. “Whether they choose farming or something else, I’ll work hard to give them the foundation they need to succeed.”
Alphonsine also wants to inspire other young people to see farming as a viable, profitable career. She believes agriculture is not just a means of survival but a path to stability and community growth.
Join the Village
Alphonsine’s story illustrates the impact of collective action and the vital role supporters like you play in empowering smallholder farmers. Through our It Takes a Village campaign, you can help farmers like Alphonsine grow their businesses, feed their families, and uplift their communities.
Every donation fuels this mission—providing farmers with the tools, training, and resources they need to thrive. Together, we can create a ripple effect of growth, resilience, and hope.
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Join us in building a stronger, more resilient world—one harvest, one farmer, and one community at a time.
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