Lydia was a jobless mother struggling to make ends meet. Today, she’s a successful entrepreneur, respected in the community as a good employer, and a model to farmers in eastern Rwanda. 

Three years ago, Lydia was desperate: she had lost her banking job, leaving her with four children to care for and an uncertain future. Months of hardship and struggle followed until a staff member from a local business proposed a way for her to earn a steady income through a very new model for raising and selling chickens.

The innovative Ready-to-Lay Pullet model, introduced by a project funded by the United States, provides farmers like Lydia with high-quality pullets, significantly reducing the time, resources, and skills required to raise chickens from eggs. Farmers are able to make quicker profits and grow their businesses.

"I was introduced to this model by an ABUSOL staff member who knew I had lost my job. I used my savings to rent a chicken house, and ABUSOL provided me with 4,500 layers on a loan," says Lydia, proudly showing the large hen house that now accommodates her 4,500 chickens.

Lydia underwent training and certification from ABUSOL, which set her up for success. The Ready-to-Lay Pullet model provided her with mature hens ready to lay eggs, so her investment quickly turned a profit.

To help farmers sell eggs quickly and efficiently, staff at ABUSOL had a creative idea of using the very popular small milk shops as inspiration and opening a similar shop that would only sell eggs. In December 2023, ABUSOL, with support from the same U.S.-funded project, launched their first egg kiosk in Kayonza. 

The kiosk helped farmers sell their eggs faster and made fresh eggs available to the local population all the time. This increased farmers' incomes and improved food availability in the area.

Encouraged by the success of the first egg kiosk in Rwanda, a few others opened in other parts of the country. These kiosks are managed by trained youth and equipped with start-up kits, including two branded bicycles per kiosk. Staff deliver eggs to the local communities making door-to-door deliveries by bicycle. In a country where 33% of youth are not employed or in school, this business model can be scaled to put a dent in youth unemployment.

Simplistic as it may sound, this model works: chicken farmers and egg sellers are making money, the local communities enjoy eggs delivered via the greenest of transportation methods - bikes. The easy and affordable access to eggs also helps introduce more animal-sourced protein into daily meals, which is extremely important for children. 

"I sell about 15% of the eggs to residents in my neighborhood and neighboring villages," she says. "This has boosted egg consumption and is reducing the level of malnutrition among children, which was very high in previous years."

Lydia’s business took off fast. Today, she sells over 4,200 eggs daily to ABUSOL’s kiosks in Kayonza, earning 14 million Rwandan Francs each month (roughly $10,700). After covering all expenses, including paying her employees and purchasing chicken feed and medicine, she is left with 4 million Rwandan Francs a month ($3,060). She’s able to pay off her loan, provide for her children’s school and medical needs, and still have a net monthly income that is about three times higher than the national average. 

Lydia is a serious entrepreneur who leaves nothing to chance. Visitors to her chicken farm must obey strict hygiene procedures, to ensure the hens are healthy and producing well. 

In August 2024, Lydia will have paid off her loan in full. She discusses the future with optimism, looking forward to new investments and expanding her business: "I will save a lot from my business once my loan is fully paid off," she said.

Her journey is inspiring to many in her community. She quite literally went from being a jobless mom of four to making millions in less than a year. Today, Lydia’s company employs 12 staff, with more openings coming soon. Her employees include cleaners, security guards, chicken caretakers, and a veterinarian, all crucial to the daily operations of her poultry business.

Lydia’s success is not just a personal triumph but also a part of a larger effort  by the United States to modernize poultry farming in Rwanda. The partnership between Feed the Future Rwanda Orora Wihaze and ABUSOL aims to improve poultry farming standards, boost egg consumption for better nutrition, enhance local farmers' incomes, expand egg markets through retail kiosks, and connect farmers to markets in Gakenke, Ngoma, and Kayonza districts situated in the eastern and southern parts of the country. 

Lydia’s journey confirms how effective this new model is. By providing ready-to-lay pullets, quality feeds, and veterinary services, ABUSOL has empowered farmers like Lydia to achieve steady incomes and improved living standards. The model’s success has inspired other producers, drawing attention and interest from traditional poultry farmers.

Despite challenges such as securing additional finance and accessing affordable feeds, the outlook for Rwanda’s poultry market is promising. Increased awareness of the nutritional benefits of eggs and poultry meat is driving demand, making poultry farming an attractive investment for young entrepreneurs.

Through the support of Feed the Future Rwanda Orora Wihaze and ABUSOL Ltd. Lydia and many others are spearheading a new era in Rwanda’s poultry industry, contributing to economic growth, nutritional improvement, and community development.