Resti is a 52-year-old wife and mother of four from Tanzania. Resti used to be a smallholder engaged in Tanzania farming, who relied on agriculture and small business to make ends meet and pay for her children's education. One day, she heard about Plant With Purpose from their facilitator at a village meeting and church. At first, she was reluctant to join because she didn't want to attend unnecessary meetings that could hinder her activities. However, she decided to join the group as a trial.
“When I first heard about Plant With Purpose, I was hesitant to join. I wasn't sure if I could handle the loans or the commitment. But as I attended more meetings and learned from the facilitators, I realized that this was something worth investing in. I decided to stick with the group and give it a try,” tells Resti.
“And I'm so glad I did. The agricultural and entrepreneurship trainings were my favorite part of being in Plant With Purpose. They really opened up my mind to new possibilities. I even decided to take my knowledge to the next level by attending workshops on soap and body oil at Moshi."
“After six months in the group, I was finally eligible to take out a loan. I used the funds to pay for my children's school fees and invest in a small business that allowed me to repay the loan and take care of my family's needs. Thanks to Plant With Purpose, I was able to diversify my income and secure a brighter future for my loved ones.”
Resti loved the agricultural and entrepreneurship trainings at Plant With Purpose, which opened up her mind to diversify her income with Tanzania farming. After six months in the group, Resti was eligible to take loans to pay for her children's school fees and start a small business. She didn't limit herself to just two businesses and started selling chicks. This new business not only relieved her burden but also boosted her agricultural production.
She now cultivates maize, beans, and tomatoes, and her products have doubled. Resti uses organic pesticide knowledge from the facilitators to produce chemical-free tomatoes.
“After six months in the group, I was eligible for loans. I used the money to pay for school fees
and start a small business, which allowed me to buy shares, repay the loans, and take care of
my family.”
“But I didn't stop there. I wanted to grow my business even more, so I started selling chicks. At first, I could only afford to buy 100 at a time, but now I can buy up to 500 and sell them."
This new business not only relieved her burden but also boosted her agricultural production. She now cultivates maize, beans, and tomatoes, and her products have doubled. Resti uses organic pesticide knowledge from the facilitators to produce chemical-free tomatoes. “Before I got involved with Plant With Purpose, farming was tough. Despite investing heavily in a large plot of land, I barely made enough money to cover the production costs. But now, everything has changed for the better. Since joining the organization, I've learned so much about sustainable farming practices that have helped me double my output. For instance, I've started using manure from my chicken shed to fertilize my tomato farm, and I now make my own organic pesticide to keep my crops free of harmful chemicals."
"The best part is that I've been able to grow my own home garden with a variety of fruit and wood trees, as well as vegetables like tomatoes and greens. Not only do I sell these products for a profit, but I'm also able to monitor and manage my own seedlings. Thanks to Plant With Purpose, I'm now able to employ Tanzania farming in a way that's both environmentally friendly and profitable.”
Apart from being a businesswoman, Resti serves her surrounding community by giving advice. Her relationship with her family has also improved, and their needs are easily met.
