Measuring Impact in Ethiopia

Restoration Despite Conflict

We thought we had bad news . . . but it turned out to be remarkable news!

Every three years, Plant With Purpose conducts an extensive impact evaluation to measure the effectiveness of our global work. Activity alone is not enough. The real question is simple:

Is it working?

Our most recent global impact report, published in 2024, confirmed what many of you already sensed—the work you support is transforming lives and restoring land. Families are eating more meals. Soil is being replenished. Trees are growing. Entire communities are lifting themselves out of poverty.

But there was one gap.

The Challenge in Ethiopia

Political violence and instability in the Amhara region of Ethiopia prevented our team from completing the full in-person evaluation during our last reporting cycle. For the 2024 report, we were only able to include satellite data on vegetation and tree cover changes.

While encouraging, that data could not tell the whole story.

Over the past year, conflict in the region has subsided, and our operations have largely returned to normal. With gratitude to God and the resilience of local communities, our Ethiopia team finally conducted the full impact study.

What they discovered surprised even us!

Restoration Continued — Even in Crisis

During almost three years of instability:

• Travel was restricted.
• Community meetings were disrupted.
• Internet access was often unavailable for weeks or months at a time.
  

We wondered:
Would our hyper-local, community-led model be strong enough to sustain progress through such adversity?

The answer was clear.

Yes.

Not only did the work continue—it exceeded expectations.

Poverty Reduced by 68%

Seven years after the launch of watershed programs in Ethiopia:

• Poverty has decreased by 68% 
• Participants are 44% more likely to have household savings.
• Average household savings have doubled from one month of expenses to two.
• Families are consistently eating three meals a day.
• Girls in the Mokie Watershed are three times more likely to attend secondary school.

These are not small gains: they are generational shifts.

When families build savings, strengthen agriculture, and restore their land, resilience grows—even in unstable seasons.

Environmental Restoration in One of the Most Deforested Nations

Ethiopia has lost much of its native forest. Today, only 4.2% of the original native forests remain.

Deforestation contributes to:

• Soil erosion
• Reduced agricultural productivity
• Water scarcity
• Increased climate vulnerability
  

Yet in our program watersheds:

• Farmers are planting twice as many trees as they did seven years ago, and
  94% of trees planted are native species (up from just 36% previously).
• Soil health is steadily improving.
• Water sources are being protected and restored.

The land is healing.

Women Leading the Way

In a region where opportunities for women are often limited, we are especially encouraged to report that:

45% of program participants are women.

This significant growth from a starting point of just over 13% reflects increasing inclusion, leadership, and empowerment within communities.

When women thrive, families and entire watersheds flourish.

Why This Matters for You

These results are not accidental.

They are the fruit of:

• Faith-rooted community leadership
• Long-term commitment
• Regenerative agriculture training
• Savings groups
• Spiritual renewal
  
• And faithful partnership from donors like you!
  

Even during years of conflict, the foundation held. This is the strength of a locally-led, holistic approach. This is the power of restoration that addresses root causes.

Thank You for Sustaining This Work

We celebrate the Plant With Purpose Ethiopia staff and every farmer and family who continued pressing forward under incredibly challenging circumstances.

And we celebrate you.

Your faithful support made it possible for restoration to continue—even when the world around these communities felt uncertain.

Would you take a moment to explore the full Ethiopia Impact Report and see the deeper data behind these results?

Or visit our Ethiopia Program page to learn how you can continue sustaining this transformation.

Together, we are reversing rural poverty, restoring watersheds, and renewing hope—rooted in faith.