Plant With Purpose

BURUNDI - In 2008, we started working in various parts of Burundi. Currently we work in some of the most rural areas of Burundi in four different provinces with plans to expand our program to new areas. Burundi is one of the poorest and most food insecure countries in the world, not to mention the amount of deforestation that has taken place over the past few decades resulting in more families living in conditions of poverty. In Burundi, environmental protection was a top priority during fiscal year 2022. Burundians came together to plant trees and combat bushfires, facilitate school lessons about environmental education, and applied unique strategies to continue to heal the environment. In FY 2022 we worked with 577 VSLA groups and 13,832 VSLA members. We planted to date 7.4M trees, worked and influenced over 140,000 participants, and more.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC In the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic has one of the fastest growing economies. This growth, however, has not been experienced by many of its rural communities. In fact, over half of rural communities in the country live below the poverty line. As the Dominican Republic continues to grow in wealth, a growing gap between the rich and the poor leaves the poorest 10 percent of families with less than 2 percent of the country's income. In rural communities, poverty is linked directly to environmental degradation. Deforestation and unsustainable practices exhaust the soil and bring down crop production. The farmers we have instrumental in planting millions of trees, and significantly slowing deforestation nationally. Plant With Purpose partners closely with the Dominican government in large scale reforestation efforts. Savings groups are increasing the economic well-being of families. Through church mobilization initiatives, local congregations are working with community members to meet needs through locally-led efforts. Plant With Purpose partners closely with the Dominican government in large-scale reforestation efforts. Savings groups are increasing the economic well-being of families. Through church mobilization initiatives, local congregations are working with community members to meet needs through locally-led efforts. When cash crops like coffee fall victim to disease, rural farmers are suddenly without a source of income. Diversifying crops has successfully restored soil health, as well as provided multiple streams of income. Agroforestry is a major part of our work in the Dominican Republic. In FY 2022 we worked with 324 VSLA groups, graduated 73, and worked with 9,597 VSLA participants. We planted 15M to date, worked and influenced over 109,000 individuals, and more.

CONGO - Plant With Purpose began work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2015. By building local enthusiasm and skills around forest protection, ecosystem restoration, and regenerative farming, participants are able to eat one extra meal per day on average. Spiritual renewal activities have helped heal past divisions and created a sense of unity between various groups. By investing in spiritual, ecological, and financial health, communities are finding ways to break destructive cycles of poverty and violence that have long affected the country. In FY 2022 we worked with 369 VSLA groups, 10,396 VSLA members, planted 2.97M trees to date, worked and influenced over 134,000 individuals and more.

ETHIOPIA - The Ethiopian highlands are the largest mountain complex in Africa. Long-term human occupation, accompanied by sedentary agriculture, extensive cattle herding, and consistent population pressure, has resulted in extensive deforestation and environmental degradation in the region. In Ethiopia, where 84% of the population lives in poverty, extreme civil unrest has been an ongoing issue. Despite this tension, participants have completed entrepreneurial training to learn how to thrive in Ethiopia's unique market. This is driving economic empowerment throughout the program. This year Ethiopia was able to establish 162 new Purpose Groups, compared to just 18 groups the previous year. We worked with 4,347 VSLA members, planted over 1.38M trees to date, worked and influenced over 30,000 individuals, and more.

HAITI - Haiti has been a symbol of resilience for our programs. Throughout the years the country has faced devastating natural disasters and unimaginable periods of civil unrest, the latter of which increased significantly over the past year. Gang activity, inflation, and political crisis have affected our team. However, despite the conflicts, communities showed inspiring determination and exceeded many program goals. In FY 2022 we worked with 607 VSLA groups, 14,603 VSLA members, planted 5.27M trees to date, worked and influenced over 162,000 individuals, and more.

MEXICO - Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Puebla are three of the poorest states in Mexico and home to much of the country's indigenous population. Located in the southern parts of the country these regions are home to renowned vibrant culinary, architectural, and cultural traditions. However, 69.5% of these families live in poverty, and their communities are often marginalized within mainstream Mexican society. Families in rural communities are learning to plant vegetable gardens to increase their food production and incomes. Growth allows parents to provide nutritious meals and to send children to school. Parents can also pay for health care, and cover the costs of household necessities. Families are also learning to create a financial safety net in savings groups. Church mobilization programs equip local congregations to lead community change. In FY 2022 we worked with 252 VSLA groups, 3,666 VSLA members graduated 31 groups, and and more.

TANZANIA - Since 2004, Plant With Purpose has partnered with farmers in Tanzania, the majority of whom are women, many widows and single mothers. In Tanzania, women and children are among the poorest of the poor. Almost all women in Tanzania earn their income through agriculture, but they do not have the same access to training and resources as male farmers and, as a result, produce 20-30% less food. In Tanzania, many program members participated in entrepreneurial training through their Purpose Group, and we saw an increase in the number of new members who opened new businesses, where 2,097 members managed to establish income-generating activities like selling livestocks and produce in the local markets and other entrepreneurial endeavors. In FY 2022 we worked with 491 VSLA groups, 12,255 members, graduated 76 groups, planted over 16M trees to date, worked with and influenced over 98,000 individuals.

THAILAND - Our partners in Thailand experience the effects of climate change through unpredicted drought seasons and now use techniques to safeguard against soil erosion, wildfires, and moisture loss. This responsible land management and community organization has helped them also improve relationships with regional forestry organizations and authorities. Plant With Purpose has been working alongside hilltribe communities to help them learn sustainable farming techniques while simultaneously helping them advocate for legal status in Thailand. In FY 2022 we worked with 36 VSLA groups, 448 members, graduated 11 groups and more.

New Country expansion (Malawi) - Expanding into new territory, Plant With Purpose has begun expansion in partnering with local teams in Malawi. The groundwork has begun to get the new program up and running.

PROGRAM ADVOCACY & EDUCATION: Plant With Purpose has expanded its efforts across the U.S. to become a leading voice on how Christians are called to steward the environment, and the link between environmental degradation and poverty.