Jeanne Masengesho is a 47-year-old mother of six residing in the Gishamvu village in the Southern Province of Rwanda. Jeanne, like her neighbors, has relied on farming activities as her primary source of income but has struggled to harvest enough crops for her and her family due to poor soil conditions.

Before 2023, the Bushiyende Community in the Bulambuli District of Uganda faced limited economic opportunities and weak social bonds. The village did not hold regular meetings to discuss community development, lacked savings groups, and struggled to establish pathways for improving livelihoods. The absence of a unified purpose left many community members feeling isolated and trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Spark Microgrants announced successful closure of first philanthropic round securing $27MM to back ambitious 3-year strategy in Rwanda, Malawi and beyond.

One of the most compelling aspects of the FCAP (facilitated collective action process), Spark’s unique approach to community-led development, is its robust impact beyond livelihoods on the social dynamics of communities.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Burundi….