In the Peñoles watershed of Mexico, Carolina’s life once revolved around the quiet routines of home. At home, she took care of her animals, rarely stepping beyond the familiar boundaries of her household. “I didn’t like to go out much,” she admitted. “I thought I didn’t have time to be involved in those programs. It seemed boring to go to the Purpose Group.”

It was her husband who encouraged her to join. “My husband said, ‘I’m going to sign you up for the group so you can save.’” Carolina hesitated, unsure about the idea of participating in a group setting, but she agreed. She attended her first Purpose Group meeting. At that meeting, her husband requested a loan—planting the seeds of a new opportunity for their family.

But just a month later, tragedy struck. Her husband passed away unexpectedly. The loss left Carolina reeling, facing a future of uncertainty and grief.

“At first, I felt strange—uncomfortable, sad,” she shared. “But then I got used to going to the meetings.” The Purpose Group became a place of quiet support, a place where Carolina could sit with others who understood struggle and resilience. “I finished the year very well because I started to live alongside my classmates,” she said. “I was very encouraged to continue in the group. I feel happy to attend the meetings now.”

Gaining Stability and Finding Hope

For years, Carolina’s family had struggled to meet even the most basic needs. “Before, we had a little house made of leaves,” she recalled. “We were so poor that we slept like little animals. We suffered a lot.”

But that has changed. Thanks to the income and stability gained through the Purpose Group, Carolina was able to improve her family’s living situation.

“Now we have a material house,” she said with a quiet smile. “That gives me more hope.”

Her participation in the Purpose Group not only helped her family’s financial situation but also gave Carolina a sense of purpose and connection that had been missing for much of her adult life.

“Since my son was little, I hadn’t participated in any program—until now, with the Purpose Group,” she reflected. “I feel happy. I like going to the meetings.”

Through Plant With Purpose’s support, Carolina has seen firsthand how economic empowerment can create space for emotional and social growth. The improved financial stability has allowed her to contribute to her family and community in ways she never thought possible.

Facing Environmental Challenges with Faith

Like many rural communities in Mexico, Peñoles faces harsh and unpredictable weather patterns driven by climate change.

“There are moments, like last year, when the drought and the strong winds destroyed the cornfield,” Carolina explained. “My son harvested less food—it’s not like before.”

This year brought a different challenge: too much rain and stronger winds that damaged the crops. “One year the rain is good; other years there is less water,” she said.

Despite these challenges, Carolina remains committed to caring for the environment. She understands that small, consistent actions can help build resilience in the face of climate change.

“We alone can do a little,” she acknowledged. “But by trusting more in God, we can face these challenges.”

Carolina makes a habit of picking up garbage near her home and along the riverbank. “I pick up the garbage on the way to my house so it stays clean,” she shared. “We have a Dry Ecological Toilet that the neighbors use. I wash it so that it remains clean for those who pass by and need it.”

She and her family have also planted pine trees around their home, contributing to reforestation efforts that help improve soil health and prevent erosion. “Garbage in the river has decreased,” she said. “We are seeing positive changes.”

Growing Confidence and Strengthening Relationships

Beyond environmental and economic improvements, Carolina has witnessed a personal transformation, especially in how she relates to others.

“I share more with my colleagues in the meeting. We coexist; we feel calm,” she said. “I feel more open now. I share my opinion and talk to others. Before, I was more shy. I didn’t want to talk.”

The Purpose Group created a space where Carolina felt safe enough to grow and use her voice. “The relationship with my nephew and three other relatives who go to the group has changed,” she said. “They have more trust in me now, more affection. Before, we were apart. Now they talk to me and ask, ‘How do you feel? What have you done?’”

This newfound confidence is not limited to her immediate family. Carolina has noticed how younger women in her community are also stepping into leadership roles.

“Young women who serve in the community share more with local authorities now,” she observed. “They feel more competent to do things and are making their way.”

Her niece, in particular, has become more self-assured. “She is more respectful of herself and others,” Carolina said with pride. “She observes and expresses what is right and what is not.”

The Purpose Group’s emphasis on participation and empowerment has helped to shift gender dynamics in the community. Women who once remained in the background are now stepping forward, confident in their ability to lead and contribute.

Finding God in Nature’s Provision

Through her work with Plant With Purpose, Carolina has also deepened her understanding of God’s presence in her life.

“Through nature, God gives us many things,” she reflected. “Mainly, He gives us food.”

Her experience of learning new agricultural techniques and improving her family’s land has strengthened her faith. “Now I know that He is with us, that good times are coming,” she said. “Everything comes from Him. He is present in the good things and the bad. He sees what we do.”

Carolina’s faith in God’s provision gives her a sense of peace, even in the face of life’s uncertainties. Her work in the fields and her contributions to the Purpose Group have become a form of worship—a way of honoring the gifts that God has provided.

A Future Rooted in Confidence and Community

Carolina’s journey reflects the profound impact that Plant With Purpose’s work can have on gender dynamics and self-esteem in rural communities. Economic empowerment, environmental restoration, and social connection are not separate threads—they are woven together into a holistic fabric of healing and growth.

By supporting opportunities for women, Plant With Purpose is helping to reshape the social landscape. Women like Carolina are no longer confined by traditional gender roles or limited by economic insecurity. They are stepping into positions of influence, building stronger families, and inspiring younger generations to do the same.

“I know that good times are coming,” Carolina said with quiet confidence. “We are learning to care for each other and for the land. We are moving forward together.”

Carolina’s story is a testament to the power of faith, resilience, and collective action. Through the support of Plant With Purpose and the generosity of its partners, women like Carolina are discovering that they are not only capable of contributing to their communities—they are essential to their communities’ future.