“Our Home Is as Sweet as Our Sugarcanes” – A Story of Transformation in Nyamasheke
Nestled along the shores of Lake Kivu, at the edge of the Nyungwe Forest, and amid the breathtaking mountains of Nyamasheke, we traveled nearly six hours from the capital to meet a family now thriving after years of struggle.
For over 21 years of marriage, Seraphine and Fulgence never had the chance to truly enjoy their home together. Poverty defined their daily life. Burdened by a negative mindset, their only hope rested in waiting for handouts and free donations.
They are parents to six children, five boys and one girl—aged 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, and 10. These innocent children bore the weight of their parents' hardships, growing up in a household where joy was often overshadowed by daily food needs.
We arrived at their home on a sunny morning around 11 a.m., having journeyed for hours through the winding hills of Nyamasheke. We expected to find a family weighed down by years of hardship—a somber atmosphere, maybe silence and uncertainty. But what greeted us was something far different: a smiling, vibrant couple standing side by side, radiating warmth, laughter, and hope.
Their confidence was contagious. Without even introducing ourselves, we were already smiling back as we entered their modest living room. Something about the joy on their faces made me pause and ask immediately:
“Where does all this joy come from?”
The wife gently placed her hand over her heart and replied, “My name is Seraphine, and this is my husband, Fulgence. Here, we grow sugarcanes—and our home is as sweet as our sugarcanes.”
Her words struck me. “Wow, that’s really beautiful, Seraphine,” I said. “My name is Aime, and I’m from World Vision. Can you tell me how these sugarcanes brought sweetness into your home?”
Before she could respond, her husband Fulgence leaned forward with a voice full of conviction:
“We were once the poorest family in this community. We had no direction, no income, and we lived in a constant state of despair. Our mindset was negative—we believed nothing could ever change. We simply waited, hoping for handouts or donations to get by. Then, two years ago, World Vision came into our lives. You offered us a training on the Biblical Empowered Worldview. That training opened our eyes. We realised that we had value, that we had potential, and that change could only begin with us. After the training, we received a small startup capital of ninety U.S. dollars.”
Seraphine smiled and picked up the story: “With that $90, we rented land and started our first sugarcane plantation. In March 2025, we harvested our first batch and earned 300,000 Rwandan Francs (about $210)—our first major income ever. We’re now preparing to harvest a second round this October from which we project to make about 600,000 Rwandan Francs (about $420).”
Because of this, we can now afford to provide for our children. We don’t worry anymore about school supplies or food. And most importantly, our relationship as a couple has grown stronger; we laugh more, we dream together, and we are proud of the home we've built. That’s why we say: our home is as sweet as our sugarcanes.”
Before we concluded our visit, I turned once more to Seraphine and Fulgence and asked:
“What are your future plans for the business?”
They both smiled—this time with the kind of confidence that comes from lived experience and a clear vision.
“Our sugarcanes are rich in natural sweetness,” Seraphine began. “When you drink their fresh juice, you feel energized. It’s a healthy, natural product, and we want to make it available to more people in our community.”
Fulgence continued, “Our dream is to expand the business. We want to increase our production so we can reach more customers, help them live healthier lives, and improve our income.”
With higher income, they plan to renovate their home to make it even more comfortable and beautiful. But their vision doesn’t stop at themselves.
“We want to keep sending our children to school,” Fulgence added. “We want to pay for their health insurance. Most importantly, we want to live a dignified life—one where we are no longer dependent but empowered to shape our future.”
This story is about hope restored, dignity reclaimed, and a future re-written, not sugarcane. Through World Vision’s interventions, families like Seraphine and Fulgence’s are transforming their lives across all our operating areas.
World Vision’s Empowered Worldview (EWV) is a dynamic, faith-based empowerment approach that helps individuals and communities reflect on their beliefs, mindsets, and behaviors in light of Scripture and God’s plan. Through interactive workshops, participants come together to explore community challenges while affirming their identity, dignity, and God-given agency. This process inspires personal transformation and enables them to actively engage in sustainable, community driven change.
By Aime Nshizirungu, Donor Liaison Specialist