I can say that MCDC opened my eyes. Before I joined, I didn't know what I could do to improve my life. But after becoming part of the program, I discovered ways to earn an income so I could save money. Before then, I was simply living day by day without doing any productive work. I now run a small business where I buy bananas, ripen them, brew banana beer (urwagwa), and sell it. Even before joining MCDC, I sometimes bought bananas, but in the end we would just drink the beer ourselves, so it never generated any income. Now, because I need money to contribute to my savings, I have turned it into a real business. Whenever I brew and sell banana beer, I know I will earn at least 5,000 RWF. On good days, I can make up to 10,000 RWF in profit. In this savings cycle, I received a loan that has made a real difference in my life. I have now reached a loan amount of 170,000 RWF, and I invest all of it back into my business. My family's living conditions have improved. I have young children who can now have porridge every morning, and I am also able to pay school fees for my older children who are in secondary school.

Before joining the Mother and Child Development Center (MCDC), Marie Jeane lived from one day to the next without a clear source of income or a plan for improving her family's future. Although she occasionally brewed banana beer, it was mainly for household consumption and did not generate any income. Through MCDC's training and Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program, Marie Jeane gained the knowledge and confidence to turn this activity into a profitable business. Today, she buys bananas, ripens them, brews traditional banana beer (urwagwa), and sells it as a steady source of income. Each production cycle earns her at least 5,000 RWF, with profits reaching 10,000 RWF on good days. By actively saving and participating in her VSLA group, she has progressively accessed larger loans. She currently manages a 170,000 RWF loan, which she fully reinvests to expand her business. The impact on her family has been significant. Her young children now have porridge every morning, and she is able to pay school fees for her older children in secondary school. Marie Jeane proudly says that MCDC opened her eyes, helping her realize that with knowledge, savings, and determination, she could build a more secure and hopeful future for her family. Her journey is a testament to how economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship can transform lives and strengthen families.