Before Filomena partnered with Plant With Purpose, she was living an unhappy life.
“I was living very unhappy because I had to stay with my in-laws, underneath the same roof. I was unhappy because I was not comfortable doing anything that I wanted. I wanted to have my own house so that I could move in with my family and get out of their house, have my own things and do whatever I wish. I wanted to be happy with my own family. I believed that God would help me and give me a house to live in.”
She continued to say “My biggest challenge was how and where I could get money to build a house. My husband was just a carpenter in the village, and I was selling bananas in the market. We couldn’t afford the money to build a house. After being in a state of dilemma for a long time I heard about the local Purpose Group in the village. Other women had joined, but it came to my mind that I needed to join, because I was earning a very little amount of cash and I did not know anything about saving money.”
“I met a Plant With Purpose facilitator in the village meeting who told me about Purpose Groups. I said I don’t know if I can do it, but I was encouraged. I decided to believe in God- to trust that God would help me and that the knowledge that I would gain could change my life in every aspect. They explained to me how the group works and things that they do and the benefits that members are getting from the groups,” says Filomena.
Filomena declares, “I made the right decision of joining the local Purpose Group after hearing the good news about how they work in our village, I learned how to save, environmental restoration techniques, entrepreneurship skills and spiritual renewal.”
Filomena continues, “after three months of being in the group I started a small-scale pig farm. I was able to buy materials for building a modern house, the kind I wanted to have for a long time.”
Filomena continues, “I am so grateful to be a member of the local Purpose Group, the group has changed my life and given me a smile. Soon I’m going to move into the new house that I have wished for so long. My latest loan will allow me to start construction of a house and move out from my in-law’s house where I am not comfortable. It is too small for all of us. I’m repaying the loan through the profit which I am earning from my business at the marketplace and my husband is helping me through his job as a carpenter by building the house. Now I realize the importance of being among local Purpose Group members because my life is changing for the better.”
The local Purpose Group in Tanzania has changed her life so much, allowing her to build a house and run her own business. Filomena now has plans to buy a motorcycle as another source of income.
Filomena finalizes by saying, "I plan to complete my house and move in together with my family very soon. I am very grateful to Plant With Purpose Tanzania. May it expand and reach more villages so that many people can get this good knowledge that God has given the organization the honor to spray it in the communities.”
