Aurore and Sabine are neighbors with a long-standing dispute. “We didn’t speak to each other, and our mutual hatred had even impacted our children.” When Plant With Purpose began work in their community, they attended the training and ended up in the same Purpose Group. Because of their feud, it was difficult to pray together at the start of the meeting. After prayer, their group goes through an inspirational slogan. “Our slogan talks about ‘TUUDUMISHE UPENDO, MUSHIKAMANO NA NIZAMU,’ which means ‘let us strengthen love, solidarity, and discipline.’ We were touched by these words every time we repeated them and, because of that, we decided to reconcile and reestablish our friendship as before. I sincerely thank my friend who took the courage to come and see me in the first place so that we could reconcile.”

Assumani is an educated young father with a bachelor’s degree in Environment and Agronomy. Despite his degree, he was unable to get a good job after graduation. “My life was in crisis; I couldn’t even buy a little laundry soap … I became a miserable man …” Assumani heard about a Theology of Work training by Plant With Purpose through his church. He attended with the intent of asking for a job, but the training instead changed the way he saw his God-given talents. “Pastor Sibomana told us about the talent that God gave every person and how we can use our talents to change our destiny. His words rang in my ears and I decided to work—I decided to find any job I could do. I was ashamed at first to see myself, an educated man, doing small work. But, when I started earning money, I began to feel proud of myself … I realize that my work praises God and work has given me joy and hope for the future.”

Byamungu began his journey with Plant With Purpose in 2020. Before joining a Purpose Group, he describes his life as “the most neglected in my community.” After joining the group, it was hard to save money at first. “We had no idea how to save money because we never had any extra money in our whole lives. I decided to start saving the little that we could.” Over time, Byamungu was able to invest in agriculture and become a nurseryman in the tree nurseries. “Those who used to mock me are now coming to me to ask what secret I have used to change my household conditions… Now, I am confident and have respect and authority in my community. May God bless Plant With Purpose for starting a project in a forgotten and abandoned village.”