Life in the Democratic Republic of Congo presents many challenges, and this has been especially true lately. However, Plant With Purpose’s community partnerships have provided a vital lifeline for rural families.

Sifa is a mother of four in her late twenties living in the Luberizi watershed. She recalls the hardships of her life prior to joining a Purpose Group.

“Before I was a member, I had an idea of something I could do to bring in more family income. Unfortunately we were limited due to lack of financial means, because neither I nor my husband had the opportunity to do something that could help us start a profitable business. We were living a difficult life with many demands.”

In the Kiliba watershed of the DRC, Amani faced similar challenges while raising his four children.

Sifa and Amani’s situation changed when they were invited to join Purpose Groups in their communities.

“I joined the Purpose Group a few years ago when Plant With Purpose opened its holistic project in our watershed,” shares Amani, “bringing the components of environmental restoration, economic strengthening, and the spiritual renewal of churches and schools to Kiliba.”

Sifa has been a member of a Purpose Group supported by the Plant With Purpose program for several years. She testifies to benefitting from the holistic transformation projects conducted by Plant With Purpose’s program in the Luberizi watershed.

Both Sifa and Amani began attending training sessions on how to start income-earning projects. They joined and attended courses on savings and credit. It was in these sessions that they started to gain new ideas for businesses they could start.

“I started to entertain the idea of opening an income-generating activity in a metal kiosk that I named Mini Alimentat Vision. In this small store, I would sell various pieces of equipment for phones and radios,” reflected Amani. 

Meanwhile, Sifa began to envision a sewing business. “I decided to experiment for six months with sewing. I used my Purpose Group loans to buy a sewing machine, and I opened a workshop. In only a year, I was able to buy two more sewing machines, which helped me increase my income,” she shares.

A UN agency even selected Sifa’s sewing workshop as an example of building regional resilience through community initiatives. This led to further opportunities for Sifa. “I agreed to teach the younger members of Luberizi the craft of cutting and sewing. This turned into a longer partnership!”

Amani opened Mini Alimentat Vision, and the opening of the stand allowed him to more firmly support his family. “Since the start of my stand, I have seen a positive change in the fact that my activities generate interest, and currently I am able to meet the needs of my family such as: food, medical care, and schooling for my children,” he shares.

“I thank the Plant With Purpose program for providing for the needs of rural communities. I am currently financially independent and already believe in having a better future.”