Mukandayisenga uses sugarcane to make her success story

As a Kamonyi based citizen, Mukandayisenga used to sell sugarcanes at her early age. She has an idea of creating her business after secondary studies but didn’t find a way at first.

“I understand that I can create my own business but not yet know that it’s possible. Reaching senior five, my father asked me if I still needed to proceed with my sugarcane business.” She said

Mukandayisenga said that one of the big challenges she met, is the mindset of her father and neighbours towards a girl engaging in agribusiness; an act they called a desire of money.

“My dad used to beat me saying ‘why does this little girl like money so much’? Other people undermined my abilities said ‘she might get unwanted pregnancy at her premature age because of her much desire of money.” Recalls Mukandayisenya.

Ideas of this young lady continued to challenge parents and relatives until her uncle promised to help her with some valuable equipment.

“Reaching senior six, my uncle promised me to buy a blander on contractual agreement to repay him within one year. Completing secondary studies, he fulfilled the promise and buy for me a processor machine worth 3.5 million Rwandan francs.” She said

Mukandayisenga confirmed that after receiving this machine, was so excited because it was her first time to have such amount of money as she had never had even two hundred thousand Rwandan francs before.

She continued to succeed as she paid 3.5 million of loan within 8 months due to an exhibition she participated in at Rubavu where she earned 2.5 million from sugarcane wine only.

Among what pleases her, Mukangayisenga cites expansion of her business from Kamonyi, Rubavu and Kigali, equipment worth 8 million Rwandan francs and her father who currently understands her ideas.

Mukandayisenga who pays above 20 employees, has some advice to her fellow youth to think that nothing is impossible.

“Let’s have confidence in ourselves. Never undermine your ability. Don’t think anything impossible or shameful; a girl going around selling sugarcanes as I started. Know exactly what you want and follow it.” She advised