For many years, Stephanie lived in quiet fear. She rarely spoke outside of her home, feeling shy and uncertain of her place in the world. Her social interactions were limited to attending church, and even there, she kept to herself. She feared her husband, feared speaking in public, and feared stepping into roles outside of her home.

“I had a lot of worries and concerns before joining a Purpose Group,” she admitted. “I did not participate in such activities. My only social presence was church. I was very shy.”

But everything changed when her husband encouraged her to join a Purpose Group. It was an unfamiliar step, but one that would redefine not only her confidence but also her ability to shape her family's future.

“Since then, a lot of changes have been made in my life,” she shared. “For example, I am able to speak in public, and I became a technician in environmental restoration.”

Through Plant With Purpose, Stephanie found her voice, her strength, and a deep sense of dignity that had been buried under years of self-doubt.

Poverty and Self-Worth

The effects of poverty go far beyond empty stomachs or financial stress. Poverty has a way of stripping people of their confidence, their sense of control, and even their dignity. When people struggle daily just to survive, it can leave them feeling powerless, isolated, and ashamed.

For many women like Stephanie, poverty reinforces silence. Limited resources often mean that opportunities for education or leadership are scarce, and cultural norms sometimes discourage women from speaking up or taking an active role in decision-making.

Stephanie's journey illustrates how empowerment is about more than financial stability—it’s about restoring dignity.

From Dependence to Ownership

One of the greatest signs of transformation in Stephanie’s life is her newfound independence. Through her Purpose Group, she learned financial literacy, gained access to small loans, and began investing in her future.

“The changes I have seen that give me hope for the future… thanks to the Purpose Group, I have bought a house for 300,000 gourdes,” she shared proudly. “I am able to educate my children and increase the size of my business.”

Owning her own home was a milestone Stephanie never imagined achieving. It was more than just a physical structure—it was a symbol of stability, progress, and the future she was building for her children.

For parents living in poverty, the inability to provide for their children can lead to deep feelings of inadequacy. But as Stephanie has gained financial stability, she has also regained confidence in her ability to secure a brighter future for her family.

Restoring the Land, Restoring Hope

Stephanie's growth as a leader extends beyond her family. As a trained environmental technician, she is now helping her entire community combat the effects of climate change.

“The biggest environmental challenge is the recurrent drought,” she explained. “Farmers in Haiti often lose almost all their crops. With the catastrophe of climate change, when we do not have too much sun, we have too abundant rains. In any case, we are losers.”

For years, the people in her community struggled to adapt to the erratic weather. Long dry spells left crops withering in the sun while sudden downpours washed away fertile soil. The unpredictability made it nearly impossible to plan for the future, and many farmers felt defeated.

But Stephanie now knows that change is possible.

“For me, to overcome those environmental problems, each person has to change the way he or she uses the land,” she said. “We must practice conservative techniques like reforestation, soil conservation, and organic fertilizing. Also, environmental concerns must be taught in both schools and churches.”

Through her work with Plant With Purpose, she has helped shift the mentality in her village. The community is now actively engaged in tree planting, soil conservation, and sustainable agriculture—a transformation that is visible in both the landscape and the mindset of the people.

“Since partnering with Plant With Purpose, the changes are very visible,” she noted. “There is another type of social mentality. People are involved in planting trees and protecting the soil.”

What was once a desperate struggle for survival has turned into a shared mission of restoration.

A Stronger Community, A Stronger Voice

Beyond environmental renewal, one of the most profound changes Stephanie has seen is in the relationships within her community.

“People have systematically changed their relationships and attitudes,” she said. “We are living now for one another. We are like a biological family. We do a lot of things together so, we become more powerful.”

Before, life in her village was defined by individual struggles. People worked their land alone, faced financial hardships alone, and bore their burdens in silence. But now, the Purpose Group has created a culture of support, cooperation, and unity.

“As examples, we can mention the community bank and the community activities,” Stephanie said.

Through these shared efforts, neighbors now save money together, invest in one another’s businesses, and organize community projects that benefit everyone.

For someone like Stephanie—who once feared speaking up—the shift has been life-changing. She has gone from standing in the background to becoming a leader, a mentor, and a champion for restoration.

Stewardship as a Sacred Calling

As she has worked to restore both the land and her community, Stephanie has also deepened her faith.

“Nature has taught me the greatness and the mercy of God, who is the Creator of all, including humans,” she reflected. “So, taking care of nature is like a sacred mission entrusted to every person. To do that correctly is a way to have a good relationship with God.”

For Stephanie, environmental restoration is not just about survival—it is an act of worship.

By protecting the land, planting trees, and teaching others to do the same, she feels she is fulfilling a divine responsibility. It is a way of expressing gratitude, honoring creation, and deepening her relationship with God.

This perspective is central to Plant With Purpose’s mission. The organization believes that healing the environment, empowering communities, and renewing faith must go hand in hand. True transformation happens when people see themselves as caretakers of both the land and each other.

A Future Filled With Possibility

Stephanie’s story is a testament to the power of affirming dignity. Through Plant With Purpose, she has found her voice, her confidence, and her purpose.

She is no longer held back by fear—she is a leader, a provider, and a force for change in her community.

She has seen firsthand how transformation happens—not through handouts, but through equipping people with knowledge, resources, and the belief that they are capable of building a better future.

This change is only possible because of the generosity of Plant With Purpose supporters. Every Purpose Group formed, every tree planted, and every woman empowered, is part of a larger movement—one that restores dignity, strengthens families, and creates a lasting impact for generations to come.

Stephanie’s journey is not just about her own success. It is about a legacy of resilience, empowerment, and renewal—one that will continue to grow, just like the trees she helps plant.