Philippe Lazaro
Philippe shares the stories of people living at the forefront of the climate crisis, who are working to transform their ecosystems and communities. He loves emphasizing the human experience, and keeping conversations about the environment centered on the communities most affected by it. Philippe has led storytelling trips to Mexico, Thailand, Colombia, Tanzania, South Africa, Haiti, and a number of other countries. He has previously served in similar roles at Liberty in North Korea and Mobility International.
Philippe obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies at UC Santa Barbara. He furthered his studies by earning a Master of Arts in International Studies as well as a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management at University of Oregon. Philippe is also an illustrator, podcaster, and digital artist. Outside of work, Philippe loves spending time with his wife and their three kids.
About Our Work, Resources
Beyond the Dollar Sign: Measuring Poverty
Measuring poverty is more complex than a simple calculation of income. While income is a crucial factor, it paints an incomplete picture, especially in the context of international rural development like the work of Plant With Purpose. Here's why a one-dimensional statistic like income falls short of adequately measuring poverty: Income isn't the only story. […]
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Environmental Restoration
The Hidden Cost of Charcoal
The Hidden Cost of Charcoal What Americans think of as a harmless summer BBQ item is, for many, a matter of life and death when we add up the hidden cost of charcoal. Charcoal, a seemingly simple product, carries heavy environmental and social consequences. In low-income rural areas especially, its production fuels a vicious cycle […]
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Our Response
Methods of Measurement: Diverse Data Lenses Show Us Your Impact
The Triennial Impact Report: Methods Make a Difference How do we collect data to build an accurate picture of our impact? We believe that accountability is an important part of our work. One of our best measures of accountability just so happens to be measurement. Data. Quantitative numbers show us the impact that your support […]
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Our Response
The Ethics of Data Collection
Respect and care for our partners were top of mind as we conducted our Triennial Impact Study Data plays a major role in Plant With Purpose’s overall operations, and that’s true for our monitoring and evaluation as well. It's not enough to go into communities with good ideas about how transformation can take place – […]
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Climate Change, Climate Solutions
Why Vanessa Nakate’s Christian Environmentalism should be taken seriously
At the age of 22, Vanessa Nakate stood in front of the Ugandan Parliament building alone with a cardboard sign. Green love Green peace and Climate Strike Now were among the slogans written on it as she carried out her single-person protest for five months. It was a small start for someone who has become […]
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About Our Work
Measuring What Matters
As we prepare for release of our triennial Impact Report, we reflect on its importance If Plant With Purpose’s program were a tree, monitoring and evaluation would be the sunlight that guides the direction of its growth. By systematically tracking progress and measuring outcomes, we gain crucial insights. Monitoring allows us to go beyond the […]
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Tanzania
Nafika, Tanzania: "I see a future well educated woman thriving in life"
Nafika is a 32-year-old single mother living in the Shengena West watershed. She is raising a 15-year-old daughter while working as a Tanzania farmer and entrepreneur and being an active member of a Purpose Group. As a farmer she is involved in poultry and fish farming, caring for chickens and managing a fish pond. Nafika […]
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Environmental Restoration, Why
Causes Effects and Solutions to Environmental Degradation- Part II
Eight Ways to Invest in People and Planet for the Next Generation In Environmental Degradation Part One we explored the causes and effects of environmental damage and the interconnected problem of global poverty. In this article we focus more on the interventions and environmental solutions that are helping to lift families and communities in the […]
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Mexico
Shining a Light of Opportunity: The Indigenous Women’s Struggle for Education in Rural Mexico
In Southern Mexico, rural Indigenous women remain at the bottom of the educational ladder. While progress has been made in recent years with education in rural Mexico, a gap persists, casting long shadows over their lives and perpetuating a cycle of poverty that ripples through generations. The roots of this educational disparity run deep, intertwined […]
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Climate Solutions, Our Response
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Navigating Complexity: Why the easy way isn’t always the best way
One of the most important parts of Plant With Purpose’s work is measuring its efficacy. This is also one of the most difficult parts. As we apply our model of Community Designed Restoration© (CDR) to rural watersheds across the globe, we want to ensure that our work is having its intended impact. As trees are […]
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DR Congo, Updates
Revisiting the Congo: A year after opening for oil drilling
With significant climate implications. The Congo Basin Rainforest is the second largest rainforest in the world and hosts about 70% of Africa’s tree cover. With a large portion of the rainforest made of peatlands, it serves as a powerful carbon sink. Disrupting it would be a significant loss in our efforts to maintain a livable […]
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About Our Work, Mexico, Resources, Thailand
Unpacking the Top Causes of Global Poverty
Poverty is a global problem that affects billions of people. The ways that different organizations, countries, and institutions define poverty may vary, but in 2023, an estimated 689 million people live on less than $1.90 per day. Most people have some basic consciousness around the challenges of poverty, even though public perception is often tainted […]
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About Our Work
Causes, Effects and Solutions to Environmental Degradation
Environmental degradation is an increasingly pressing issue that affects us all. It is caused by a variety of factors, ranging from human activities to natural disasters, and its effects can be devastating. Many of these effects can cause further degradation, which means that this impact works as a downward cycle. Fortunately, there are solutions, and […]
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Environmental Restoration, Thailand
Seeding Change
Planting trees and helping farmers grow more crops is part of Plant With Purpose’s core work, but these activities depend on the health and availability of seeds. Right now, the global seed supply faces a number of problems. There is currently a lack of access to diverse and locally adapted seed varieties. This is due […]
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Burundi, Photo Essays
Things you'll see on a visit to Burundi
Burundi isn't a frequently visited country. For starters, it is rather small, comparable in size to Rwanda, Lesotho, or Eswatini. It is also a very rural country with 85% of its residents living in remote areas that have limited infrastructure. While it boasts compelling landscapes and rich traditions, conflict has also inhibited tourism in Burundi. […]
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