Village Enterprise

Working with The Life You Can Save took Jean and I on an unforgettable journey to Rwanda—a first-time experience for both of us that quickly captivated our hearts and lenses alike.

Rwanda revealed itself to us as a country of extraordinary beauty and resilience, but what truly made this project profound was documenting the transformative work of Village Enterprise in local communities. Our cameras became witnesses to genuine moments of change as we captured the organization's sustainable approach to ending extreme poverty.

Village Enterprise employs a unique model focused on equipping ultra-poor households with the tools to build sustainable livelihoods. Their comprehensive program combines business training, mentoring, and seed capital with a savings group structure that creates lasting economic resilience. What makes their approach remarkable is how they target the most vulnerable households and guide them through a process that builds both skills and confidence.

The Life You Can Save, founded by philosopher Peter Singer, identifies and promotes the most effective charities working to reduce extreme poverty and suffering in the developing world. Their partnership with Village Enterprise exemplifies their commitment to maximizing the impact of every donated dollar through evidence-based interventions.

Throughout our filming, we witnessed countless stories of transformation—from single mothers now running successful small businesses to community savings groups that have created financial safety nets where none existed before. These weren't just statistics or distant accounts—they were real people sharing how their lives had fundamentally changed through this initiative.

What struck us most powerfully was the dignity of the process. Village Enterprise doesn't simply provide handouts; they invest in human potential and create sustainable pathways out of poverty that preserve and enhance community structures.

Our cameras captured not just the mechanics of the program but the ripple effects: children now attending school, improved nutrition, healthcare access, and perhaps most powerfully, the renewed sense of agency and hope visible in people's faces.

This project reminded us that documentary filmmaking at its best doesn't just record reality—it bears witness to transformation and helps amplify solutions that work.