“I have a lot to give, but also a lot to receive”
Virginie Deschamps had never really imagined herself living and working abroad. Yet, after sixteen years at Avifoods - formerly New Maurifoods Ltd - she chose to leave Mauritius to take the helm of Avipro Rwanda. A new country, a new sector, and much to discover. The challenge does not intimidate her. It has come, she says, “at the right time”.
Her journey with Eclosia began after she completed her studies in nutrition. A recipient of a government scholarship, she studied abroad before returning to Mauritius with a desire to contribute to her country. She joined Avifoods’ Quality department, where she began building a career grounded in hands-on experience.
Procurement, supply chain, research and development, marketing, production: Virginie gained experience in almost every area of the business. She became Production Manager and later Head of Avifoods. Over the years, she held at least five different positions. “I was never bored,” she says.
Beyond the projects and new products, what kept her at the company for all those years was its mission: Nouri Nou Pei. It is a mission that resonates with her own story and the gratitude she feels towards Mauritius, which enabled her to pursue her studies.
Above all, her experience at Avifoods has left Virginie with one firm belief: a business moves forward because of the people who bring it to life. “If we want our people to care about the mission and our goals, we must first take care of them.” Her advice to her successor is equally straightforward: take care of employees and customers.
Virginie arrives in Rwanda without claiming to know everything. Livestock farming and working with animals represent a new learning experience for her. She knows, however, that she can rely on Avipro’s expertise in Mauritius. Her aim is not to replicate an existing model, but to draw on that experience while respecting the realities of Rwanda.
Her first priority will therefore be to listen and understand: meet the teams, visit the farms, processing plant and retail outlets, and work with them to determine the next steps. “Avipro Rwanda cannot become in one year what Avipro Mauritius has built over sixty years.”
She approaches this transition with a clear mind, although leaving is not without emotion. Above all, Virginie is looking forward to getting to know the diverse team she is joining. She sets off with curiosity, confidence, and one certainty: “I have a lot to give, but also a lot to receive from the teams.”