A Friendship That Sparked Change: Febronie and Vestine's Story

“Vestine was too old to go work on the farm, but I would see her contributing money to the savings group every month. I wondered where she got the money from. That day, I learned that she got her money from a chicken-rearing project,” Febronie says.

Vestine was raising chicken through One Acre Fund—a venture that offered her both income and financial stability. Vestine encouraged Febronie to join and soon, Febronie began her own journey.

At One Acre Fund, we believe that true, lasting change for smallholder farmers is a collaborative effort. Our “It Takes a Village” campaign celebrates the power of community, a spirit brought to life by the friendship between Febronie and her neighbor, Vestine.

Starting Small, Dreaming Big

Febronie and Vestine are good examples of resilience and determination. Before joining One Acre Fund, Febronie and her husband, who works as a government official, struggled to meet their family’s needs. Although her husband’s salary covered some basic expenses, the family often had to make difficult choices to manage their finances. 

Febronie saw an opportunity in One Acre Fund’s chicken program. Chicken rearing appealed to her because it required less labor but promised good profits when done right. It also allowed her to stay close to her children while earning an income. One Acre Fund’s chicken program provides farmers with chicks, feed, vaccines, and training. Program participation also comes with a fair-price buyback guarantee. Inspired by the success of others like Vestine, who had turned chicken farming into a steady income stream, Febronie reached out to a One Acre Fund agent to get started.

For Vestine, her advancing age meant she struggled to work as effectively in the field. The broiler chicken program offered her a sustainable, achievable alternative to labor intensive farming. With the program’s support, Vestine has been able to effectively raise broiler chickens and this is how she earns a steady income. Vestine’s success inspired Febronie. 

After Febronie expressed her interest, a field agent visited her homestead to asses its suitability and provided advice on preparing a space for the chickens. Following the visit, Febronie expanded a small room on her property to house the chicks. Soon after, she received her first batch: 400 day-old chicks, along with enough feed and supplies to raise them for six weeks. For her, this resource package was incredibly important. The training and guidance she received enabled her to manage the project confidently.

Shared Effort, Shared Success

After six weeks, Febronie earned her first income of 60,000 Rwandan francs ($44); it was a turning point. The burden of providing food for their family, once her husband's sole responsibility, was now a shared effort.

Febronie’s excitement grew, and she eagerly awaited the next cycle of chicks, excited by the thought of what she could accomplish. For her second cycle, Febronie earned 80,000 Rwandan francs ($59), and with this income, she paid her children’s school fees. It was a significant milestone; before, her husband had handled this cost, often with difficulty. By reducing the financial pressure on her husband, Febronie opened up new possibilities for her family’s future. They started saving and soon bought a plot of land near their home.

As Febronie’s chicken business grew, she realized the power of the community-driven approach that had supported her success. Her initial inspiration came from Vestine, and she now acts as inspiration for others in her village who may be considering joining One Acre Fund’s program. The encouragement she received from Vestine, combined with the training and resources provided by One Acre Fund and her husband’s partnership—demonstrates that no one person can achieve lasting change alone. It truly does take a village.

Today, Febronie has plans to expand. She dreams of building a larger structure that can house at least 800 chicks. This would increase her profits and allow her to contribute even more to her family and community. “The more I increase the number of chicks, the more profit I get,” she shares. Each step of her journey has shown her that with a supportive network, financial stability and prosperity are within reach.

The Power of a Global Village

For our “It Takes a Village” campaign, stories like Febronie’s remind us of a community's collective power. With your support, we can continue to reach more farmers like Febronie and Vestine. Your donations go directly into initiatives that support farmers to break from the cycle of subsistence living, build sustainable businesses and strengthen families and communities' resilience.