By Emily Buyaki
Communication Officer, FAWE
At just 28, Alphonsine Muhimpundu is changing the face of agriculture in Nyaruguru District, Rwanda — one bag of lime at a time. From humble beginnings, marked by frequent school fee struggles, Alphonsine’s journey is a powerful testament to the impact of opportunity, resilience, and vision.
Her academic path was almost cut short early on, as financial hardships repeatedly forced her out of class. But her bright mind didn’t go unnoticed. The nuns at Mère du Verbe Kibeho, where she studied for her O’Level, stepped in to cover her school fees. In Senior Three, one of the nuns encouraged her to apply for the FAWE and Mastercard Foundation scholarship — a turning point in her life.
Alphonsine was awarded the scholarship, which covered not only her tuition but also essentials such as a stipend and learning materials. It gave her the peace of mind and motivation she needed to excel. After completing her A’Level at Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare, she pursued a degree in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences at INES Ruhengeri, enrolling in 2018.
Then, opportunity knocked again.
In her third year at university, Alphonsine applied for a business grant under the Students Entrepreneurship Fund (SEF) — an initiative by FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs. She received a grant of 4,300,000 RWF (approximately USD 3,018), and with that, she launched a fertilizer and lime retail business in her hometown of Ndago, Nyaruguru.
“Immediately I received the SEF grant, I decided to venture into the fertilizer and lime business. Farmers in my district were struggling with soil acidity, which reduced yields. My goal was to bring affordable, accessible solutions to improve productivity,” says Alphonsine.
What began in her parents’ backyard has since flourished into a thriving enterprise. Alphonsine now distributes up to 1,500 tonnes of lime and 20 tonnes of fertilizer per peak season, hiring 2 permanent employees and 6 casual workers. The business generates an average monthly profit of 1.5 million RWF (USD 1,052).
Caption: Alphonsine’s employees offloading lime to her warehouse in Ndago, Nyaruguru.
Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. The local government, recognizing the value of her services, has provided her with a free warehouse to store her products. Today, both young and old come to Alphonsine for business advice. Her message is clear:
“Look around your community. Identify the problems people face — those are opportunities in disguise. Let your business solve a real need.”
But her journey isn’t without challenges. Poor road conditions, especially during the rainy season, make transportation difficult and costly. Sometimes, demand exceeds her supply, forcing her to source products at higher prices. Still, she presses on.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Alphonsine has expanded her entrepreneurial footprint. She now owns a salon, and cosmetics shop in Huye town, employing 22 permanent staff — many of whom are young women who dropped out of school due to early pregnancy.
“My second business is driven by my passion for women’s empowerment. It brings me joy to know I’m helping other women build their livelihoods.”
Alphonsine credits her success to resilience, determination, effective marketing, and choosing the right business locations. Collaborating with local authorities has also been key.
Caption: Alphonsine at her cosmetics shop in Huye.
Looking ahead, she dreams of setting up her own manufacturing plant for lime and fertilizer — transitioning from distributor to producer.
To FAWE, Alphonsine shares her gratitude:
“Business transforms lives. I’m thankful for the SEF training and support — it sharpened my entrepreneurial skills. I encourage FAWE to keep empowering alumni to start and strengthen their businesses.”
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