My Journey into One Acre Fund - Metoucela Nsabimbona

Straight from the world of tech and into the heart of agricultural development, Metoucela traded the city lights of Bujumbura for the green hills of Muramvya with one mission in mind - to give back to the farming community that raised him. When he joined One Acre Fund, he took a bold step from tech into People work, where he now works in Human Resources. In this piece, he opens up about his leap, what drew him to One Acre Fund, and how he's settling into a role that blends purpose, people, and personal growth. 

Let’s rewind to your first day. What were you feeling as you walked into the One Acre Fund Muramvya office for the first time?

The mood was honestly a bit strange. I had worked in Muramvya before, but living there full-time was new for me. It felt like I was leaving my family behind, even though it wasn’t too far from my home in Bujumbura. My children kept calling because they weren't used to me being away.

I had a lot of questions on my mind: How will I adjust to this new place? Will I fit in with the community? Will I understand how things work here? But those fears slowly faded. What helped most was the warm welcome I received from the team. Even though there was a lot to learn, everyone genuinely wanted me to succeed. That kind of care was something I hadn’t experienced elsewhere.

Why One Acre Fund and not an organization that offers a more “city life” career that would allow you to be in Bujumbura?

More than 90% of Burundians are farmers, including my own family. When I learned about One Acre Fund’s mission, I was immediately drawn in. It felt like a chance to support the people I care about, my community and my country, by contributing to their development through agriculture.

I remember asking during my interview, “Why don’t you work in all regions?” I was sad that One Acre Fund had not yet expanded its operations to my home region, but the interviewer explained to me that growth happens gradually. Now that I am part of the team, I have the chance to support that growth.

How did your onboarding experience help you settle into your role and what surprised you most?

What really stood out was the diversity, and how diverse people gelled so well to create a good workplace culture. There are so many nationalities and cultures at One Acre Fund, yet everyone shares a warm, welcoming attitude. During my first month, my calendar was packed with meetings with colleagues, who introduced themselves, explained their work, showed areas where we collaborate, and answered my questions.

The most surprising part? The genuine care. Everyone took ownership in making sure I was set up for success. That level of teamwork and responsibility amazed me.

Fast forward to today, what part of your work do you genuinely look forward to every week?

Working in HR means being there for others; understanding staff needs, solving problems, and ensuring that policies are fair and supportive. My primary motivation is to increase staff satisfaction. That’s why I chose to work in a people-facing role.

For example, sometimes, staff travel long distances to the head office in Muramvya just to get an administrative document signed. I realized early on that delays can have a serious impact; maybe they need that document for an urgent matter. So I made a rule: no delays for signatures. If a staff member needs something urgently, we make it a priority, even if I have to step out of a meeting for two minutes. To me, it’s simple: our staff deserve timely support.

What’s one thing you always carry in your work bag (besides your phone and laptop)?

A raincoat! (laughs)

In Muramvya, it can rain unexpectedly, even on a sunny day, the weather can switch up. I never leave home without it. Even when traveling to Bujumbura to visit family, it’s a must-have because more often than not, when coming back, it will be raining. 

What’s something surprising or unexpected you’ve learned about working in agriculture or rural development?

Before joining One Acre Fund, I worked with electronic payment systems and didn't know much about rural development. But coming from a farming community, I was curious to learn more.

During onboarding, I visited farming communities and saw farmers using modern techniques and taking notes in actual notebooks during One Acre Fund trainings. I was amazed at how seriously they took learning and how they applied what they learned. They followed instructions on how to use farming inputs correctly, often without direct supervision.

What surprised me most was how eager farmers were to receive more information. They even asked if One Acre Fund could stock mobile phones, so they could more easily access information shared through our radio programs and SMS. It changed my perception of rural communities. I had assumed only people in towns had such discipline and technical skills. I was wrong - the farmers we serve are sharp, motivated, and deeply engaged.

Work from the office, work from home, or work from the farm/field?

We have a good office space in Muramyva. It’s quiet, the internet is reliable, and most importantly, staff always know where to find me. As I am in a people-facing role, being physically present helps me support the team more effectively.

Looking back on the interview process, what advice would you give someone applying to join One Acre Fund today? Any secrets you’re willing to spill?

Be passionate about why you want to work here. The interview process is long and intentional, it’s designed to help you understand the organization and the realities of the role.

You will also need to be patient and flexible. There might be phone interviews, assessments, and even field visits depending on the role. And above all, be authentic. Some exercises span two or three days, and it might be tempting to look for answers elsewhere. But honesty and your own skills will prepare you far better for the real responsibilities of the role.

What skills or mindsets do you think are key to thriving at One Acre Fund?

We deliver results and are a family of leaders. Everything we do is geared towards impact from farmers, but we also do it in a way that supports team work, good culture, owning our work, and supporting each other.

Finally, complete this sentence: “Joining One Acre Fund was the start of…”

…..serving my community and contributing to my country’s development. One Acre Fund allows you to see how each of our roles creates impact for farmers.