You arrive in a quiet watershed, tucked between green hills. The air is rich with the scent of fresh earth, and as you step out, you're welcomed by warm smiles and outstretched hands. Here, change is happening in real-time in front of your eyes. This is the beginning of a Vision Trip with Plant With Purpose, an opportunity not just to witness transformation but to be part of it.
Over the coming days, you sit in on local Purpose Group meetings, listening to farmers share their stories of struggle and renewal. You walk through fields once stripped bare, now brimming with life, and plant a seedling alongside the people who’ve dedicated themselves to restoring the land. Every conversation, every step you take, brings you closer to the heart of a community that is not only surviving but thriving.
This photo essay takes you along that same path. Through each image, you’ll feel the connection between the people and the land, the hope that has been sown, and the hands working together to nurture it. These are the moments that define a Vision Trip and the moments that show how your support is turning dreams of renewal into reality. Let this journey open your eyes to the powerful story unfolding, one where transformation is not just seen, but felt.
A view from inside a car, looking out through the window as you enter the watershed for the first time.
As you approach the watershed for the first time, the road seems to welcome you into a new world of resilience and renewal. Every twist and turn brings you closer to a place where hope has taken root and is now blossoming. You’re not just entering a community; you’re entering a place where the land and its people are transforming together.
Kids laughing and running in front of their homes, playing with one another with carefree joy.
Through the window, you catch a glimpse of children playing in the afternoon sun. Their laughter fills the air, a sign of the brighter future that has taken hold here. Once, these families faced hardships that dimmed their dreams, but now, there’s joy in every step, a living testament to the new life taking root in this community.
A woman in colorful traditional attire dances joyfully, her arms raised in welcome, her feet moving to the rhythm of her heartbeat.
The energy of the community wraps around you, brought to life by the joyous movement of a woman dancing in celebration of your arrival, and you are reminded that you are part of something far greater than yourself.
Participants sit in a circle, their faces focused and engaged, taking notes and learning from one another.
You sit and watch as a Purpose Group meeting is being conducted. The Purpose Group is a key starting point for transformation, where farmers come together to exchange knowledge, pool savings, and offer mutual support. Each member contributes valuable ideas and perspectives, fostering collective growth and progress.
A woman sits proudly behind a table, piles of golden corn stacked high in front of her.
You watch as her hands carefully arrange the corn. Through the training she received, she learned how to better tend her land, nurture her crops, and bring in a harvest that now sustains her family. Through the skills learned from Plant With Purpose, she now stands tall, an entrepreneur in her own right, able to provide for her family.
A family stands at the entrance to their farm, arms open in welcome, beaming with pride and joy.
This family once faced uncertainty, their land dry and unforgiving, their crops failing. Today, they stand on this farm with smiles that speak of perseverance, resilience, and hope restored. They welcome you not just to their home but also to witness the results of years of dedication and the transformation that can only come when people work hand in hand with the land.
He leans down, carefully inspecting the growth that now fills his garden. What was once barren has become fertile and abundant. With each season, he has learned to coax life from the soil, guided by the techniques taught through Plant With Purpose. He is beaming with pride for the crops he grows and the future he is building for his family.
A woman stands beside her cattle
The animals she cares for are not just livestock; they are a lifeline. Once, her family faced hunger, but now, these animals provide income and security.
A woman carries a large plate of injera.
You sit around a table as she brings out a plate of injera. Food is often a symbol of hospitality and the togetherness that defines this community. As you gather to share in this meal, you understand that this food is not just nourishment for the body but also for the soul, a reminder of how connected we all are.
A quiet road stretches out ahead, leading you away from the community.
As the road guides you away from the watershed, there’s a sense of quiet reflection. The transformation you’ve witnessed, both in the land and in the hearts of the people, lingers with you. The once-dry soil now flourishes with life, and the community’s resilience pulses in every breeze. While the trip comes to an end, you leave with a deeper understanding of what hope looks like when it’s planted and nurtured.
