From the dream of a group of young people to the creation of an enterprise that puts people at the center: the journey of Pâte 2sAmi, now a benchmark for a more humane and inclusive economy.
by Antonella Ferrucci
An idea born out of poverty... and fraternity
The story of Pâte 2sAmi has its roots in 2015, when a group of young professionals from the Focolare Movement in Madagascar—lawyers, IT specialists, agronomists, managers—decided to react to the widespread poverty in the country not with welfare, but with an entrepreneurial project inspired by the Economy of Communion. These people were aware of the high poverty rate in Madagascar and were motivated by the conviction that an EoC enterprise could help eradicate the poverty that surrounded them.
This led to the creation of AMI, which in Malagasy means “vocation to unite”: a name that already conveys the vision of an economy based on communion, reciprocity, and the creation of dignified work.
From the first activities to structural difficulties
In its early years, AMI focused on agribusiness: foie gras production, chicken farming, and the sale of natural products. But the lack of raw materials, economic instability, and post-pandemic inflation put a strain on the initiative. Many members became discouraged and activities came to a halt. Yet two young members, Tahina Abeline and Rasoarinoro Haingonirina, decided not to give up. “We decided to continue the project with the remaining funds,” they say. It was a turning point: with what remained of the initial capital and the help of some benefactors, they founded a new company, Pâte 2sAmi, in November 2022.
Simple, sustainable, and people-centered production
They chose to make artisan pasta, a product that can be made without electricity—a crucial factor in a country where power outages are frequent—and that meets a real need of the population. The entrepreneurs explain that their pasta is “free of chemicals (no preservatives or colorants) and 98% organic” because in the EoC “the person is at the center of everything.” Production is entirely manual: lasagna, tagliatelle, fettuccine, and noodles in four varieties (milk and eggs, yogurt, turmeric with milk, fresh eggs). Sold at an affordable price, they quickly conquered the local market, entering both neighborhood stores and large supermarket chains and restaurants on the island.
A social impact that grows along with the business
Today, Pâte 2sAmi provides stable employment to eight people in production, quality control, logistics, and administration. Margins are still too low to offer workers more than the minimum wage required by current legislation in Madagascar, but efforts are being made to ensure a good working environment where workers feel comfortable. The founders themselves only began receiving a minimum salary last December, having continued to invest their time and skills in growing the business and ensuring a peaceful and family-like working environment. Despite all this, at the end of 2025, Pâte 2Ami was able to donate part of its profits to one of the fundamental purposes for which the Economy of Communion was created, the “Formation of New People”.
Of course, there are difficulties: rising raw material costs, delayed payments from large retailers, the need for more efficient machinery and adequate packaging. But demand is growing strongly and customers appreciate the quality of the product, as evidenced by the numerous positive comments on social media.
On Saturday, February 14, the two partners of Pâte 2Ami organized a “wellness day” to raise funds for the 35th anniversary of the EoC in Argentina and to promote their products through a tasting, which was attended by about thirty people.
An EoC model that looks to the future
Pâte 2sAmi is now a concrete example of how the Economy of Communion can generate sustainable development even in fragile contexts. The company creates jobs, values local skills, offers healthy and affordable products, and demonstrates that a different economy is possible. One of the mottos that guide Pâte 2sAmi is:
«Ny fitiavana no mibaiko, ny olombelona no ivo» , «Love guides, the person is at the center.».
It is the perfect synthesis of the spirit that animates this young reality, born from a shared dream and become a sign of hope for many Malagasy families.
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