One field. That's all that remained to Bertha Nzabanita after the devastation of the Rwandan genocide. One field, a young son to raise, and few options.
Until she joined Musasa. With the help of this coffee cooperative, Bertha increased her harvest. Higher revenue meant she could repair her family home and pay school fees for her child.
Root Capital made its first loan of $90,000 to Musasa in 2005. Since then, we've provided them with over $5 million in total financing, as well as training on how to manage their growing business. As the cooperative has grown, Bertha and her fellow farmers have thrived.
Since its founding in 2004, Musasa has expanded from 300 to almost 2,000 farmer-members—among them many women who were widowed during the 1994 genocide. Today, some of Musasa's key managers are women, and the cooperative is pioneering new business opportunities for its female members.
Root Capital's unique model pairs lending and capacity building to give small and growing agricultural businesses like Musasa a chance at success. In remote rural areas, these businesses supply higher incomes to farmers and provide employment opportunities to women and youth. With support, they can transform entire communities.
But we can't do this work alone. Our work is only possible with a global network of committed supporters. Will you pledge your support to helping women like Bertha in Rwanda and across the world?
