A Day in the Life of a Baker: Ancille’s Story
My mornings start early before the sun rises. At 4:00 a.m., I’m already in the kitchen preparing breakfast for my two children. I always make sure they have a warm, cooked meal before I leave. Once everything is ready, I quickly get dressed for work. The bakery isn’t far from home, but it takes me about forty-five minutes to get there on foot.
When I reach the bakery, I sign in, change into my uniform, and join the rest of the team.
By 7:00 a.m., the bakery is alive, the smell of freshly baked bread fills the air, and the morning shift gets into motion. The bread prepared by the afternoon team the day before is packed and ready to be delivered to thousands of students across Kigali and Ruyenzi.
I usually work in the packaging section, where I make sure every school receives the right number of loaves. It’s a detailed work, but I love it. Each package we seal represents nutritious bread for a child in school who, before The Women’s Bakery, could not afford such nourishment. I and the team do it with so much care and love, knowing that our bread reaches schools where it truly makes a difference.
Serving nutritious bread is deeply important to me because I know it’s not just food, it's nourishment that helps children focus at school, and grow. Thinking about the smiles and full stomachs of those students gives me motivation to come to work every single day.
At lunchtime, both shifts come together in our canteen. We share nutritious meals that include beans, and vegetables, and often use this time to talk, laugh, and learn from one another. Sometimes we have meetings or training, and other times we simply share stories. These moments give me energy both physically and emotionally to continue my work with courage and purpose.
When I first joined The Women’s Bakery, I didn’t have any baking experience. Everything was new to me. It took time, practice, and a lot of patience. But the training I received changed everything. Today, I’m proud to say that I am one of the women training new bakers. They usually call us mama, we train these young women bakers and inspire them. Watching them grow in skill and confidence reminds me of how far I’ve come.
Working with The Women’s Bakery has transformed my life. I have gained skills, confidence, and financial independence but most importantly, I have discovered my ability to empower others. I’m now not only a baker, but also a role model for young women and girls in my community.
Each loaf we bake represents more than bread; it represents opportunity, growth, and hope. And for me, it’s a reminder that with the right support, women can rise, thrive, and create lasting change for their families and their communities.
Together we rise!