Country: Rwanda

Aline is a mother and farmer in Rwanda. Like many rural woman she farms for a living, but it only earned her a small income. Opportunity taught her how to manage her finances, run a business and get more from her farm. With the new skills she learnt, she has been able to improve life for her family. 

Aline is a 39-year-old farmer, wife and mother to three children.

Like many other rural women, she began small-scale farming, which was her primary source of food and income for her household. She faced challenges from limited resources, a small income, and unpredictable weather, but she was determined to create a better future.

Things began to change for Aline when her Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) was introduced to Opportunity. Aline received training in financial literacy and family business and was taught to diversify her income. She took the bold step and started a small hairdressing salon, which she did alongside farming.

I was able to start a small salon, and even though it doesn't have too many things yet, it is functional. It also helps me support the family, with saving, and other household needs.

Aline was also connected to one of Opportunity’s formal financial partners, CLECAM EJO-Heza PLC, and she was able to take out small loans. Together with her husband, they built their credit history and soon were able to start taking out larger loans.

With these loans, Aline was able to buy more farmland, a forest, and a coffee plantation. She also bought a house near the road, improving her accessibility and opening new opportunities for business and trade.

In addition, Aline expanded into livestock farming, raising cows, pigs and chickens. T his diversification not only increased her income and provided fertilizer for her family, but also improved her family’s nutrition through access to milk, meat and eggs.

Training in regenerative agriculture gave Aline new skills, such as how to make organic fertiliser from livestock manure, reducing her need to buy expensive fertiliser. She improved her bean harvest from 45kg to 80kg, and her maize harvest from 50kg to 80kg. The additional harvest not only fed her family, but also generated additional income. Aline also noticed her farming costs had gone down, especially labour and inputs, and her farm was heathier and more resilient during dry periods.

Before, Aline only had time to do farming. But with improvements to her farming, she has more time to do other activities. She is also now more confident in farming and sees the changes as solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.

It took me a week to cultivate a certain piece of land before. That time has drastically come down to just a few days, less than a week. That is a huge benefit for the family.

Aline’s improved income meant she is less reliant on her husband’s income and was consistently able to pay for her children’s school fees and buy school materials, and afford health insurance, ensuring their wellbeing and security. Her family also have improved nutrition, a stable income and better living conditions.

When a woman has the opportunity to develop herself, it helps her not overly depend on her husband for everything. Because when a child needs a pencil, she can easily provide it.

Aline wants to continue expanding her business and farming, further improving her family’s welfare and security. One of her greatest aspirations is to ensure her children attend good schools, all the way to higher education.