Where the tarmac ends; a journey of transformation begins
Joseph and Ephrasie live in Nyamasheke, in the lush vicinity of Nyungwe National Park. They have been happily married for seven years and are blessed with two children: Kevin, aged 7, and Francis, aged 3.
Reaching their home was an adventure of its own. After driving for seven hours from Rwanda’s capital city on a smooth tarmac road, we turned onto a dirt road—what locals fondly call “An African massage”, a phrase used to describe the bumpy rides in hard-to-reach areas. There is a saying in the community that “true development begins where the tarmac roads end,” and indeed, this road led us to an inspiring family whose journey reflects transformation and hope.
When Joseph and Ephrasie first married, life was extremely difficult. They often ate only once a day. To survive, they worked on other people’s farms for small wages and Joseph tended cows that belonged to others, earning very little, and only after a cow had given birth. Their children lacked the nutrition they needed in their early years, and the stress of poverty sometimes strained their relationship.
“Life began to change when we heard that World Vision was coming to our community,” Joseph recalls. Through the Hinduka Wigire (Ultra-Poor Graduation) model, they received training on mindset change, identifying local opportunities, saving for transformation, and eventually a start-up capital of $95.
“I took the training very seriously,” Joseph explains. “Some people only came to receive the transport allowance, but I wanted to learn. Knowledge is the most important thing, because even if you give someone a million francs, without skills, that money will not last. The training opened my eyes.
I decided to stop looking after other people’s cows and instead raise my own.”
When asked about their relationship today, Joseph smiles and lets his wife speak:
“Back then, poverty brought many conflicts. But now, life has changed. Our children eat well, they drink milk, and we even sell the surplus. My husband always comes up with business ideas, and I support him because I know he has a vision,” says Ephrasie.
As a Christian couple, the family also treasures the values they learned through World Vision—mutual love, respect, and the importance of prayer. “We have walked this journey together with World Vision, and I truly respect them and their staff,” Joseph says. Their gratitude runs so deep that they named their second child, Francis, after their World Vision trainer, as a living souvenir of the support they received.
“The cow we own today is more than just livestock—it represents a bond between us and World Vision,” Ephrasie adds. “Without changing our mindset, we would still be looking after other people’s cows.”
Today, the family’s income is steadily growing. From their cow, they earn about $30 a month by selling organic fertilizer, and about $80 a month from selling eight liters of milk daily. This allows them to provide for their children’s education, health, and well-being.
“I want my children to grow up with Christian values,” Joseph shares. “I once dreamed of becoming a priest, but I had no opportunity. Now, if my children desire it, I will be able to support them to fulfill that dream.
By Aime Nshizirungu, Donor Liaison Specialist