At seventy years old, Nadége has witnessed a lifetime of changes in her Haitian community. As a farmer, she has seen seasons of plenty and scarcity. She has watched trees disappear from the hillsides and rivers dry up. And for many years, she struggled to trust the people around her. “There are too many unserious people in our society,” she admitted. “I had no confidence in anyone.”
For Nadége, the loss of trust in her neighbors reflected a deeper instability—one rooted not just in human relationships but in the land itself. Deforestation and soil erosion have taken a severe toll on Haiti, making it difficult for farmers like Nadége to sustain their crops. With each heavy rain, the unprotected soil washed away, leaving her fields depleted and her future uncertain. “The biggest environmental challenges in the area are deforestation, bad quality of the soils, water sources drying up, and irregular rainfall,” she explained. “Farmers are unable to continue farming and increase their incomes.”
The Cycle of Environmental Loss and Poverty in Haiti
Haiti's history of deforestation is closely tied to economic hardship. For many rural families, cutting down trees to make charcoal has been one of the few ways to earn quick cash. But this short-term solution has come at a devastating cost. Without trees to anchor the soil, erosion has accelerated, and farmland has become less productive. As crops fail, families fall deeper into poverty, and the temptation to cut down more trees increases—a brutal cycle that has left Haiti with some of the most severe deforestation in the world.
Climate change has only made matters worse. Rainfall has become more unpredictable, and water sources that once supported entire communities have dried up. Farmers in Haiti like Nadége have found themselves at the mercy of a changing environment, struggling to find sustainable ways to grow food and support their families.
For years, Nadége felt powerless against these challenges. But then, she saw something different happening in her community. “I realized I needed to make a big change when I saw Plant With Purpose teaches truth and does good, visible actions in the area,” she recalled.
A New Beginning with Plant With Purpose
When Nadége joined a Purpose Group, she was cautious. Years of hardship had made her wary of false promises. But as she listened to other members share their experiences, she saw that this was not just another program—it was a community built on trust and action.
Through the Purpose Group, Nadége learned new ways to care for her land. She discovered how leaving crop residues in the soil could naturally restore its nutrients. She began planting more trees than she cut down, helping to rebuild the forests that once protected her community from erosion. “Thanks to Plant With Purpose, we are doing those things,” she said.
But the impact of the Purpose Group extended beyond farming techniques. It was also about relationships. “Yes, the relationships and attitudes in my community changed a lot, thanks to our activities with Plant With Purpose,” Nadége said. “For example, we meet each other more often than before to save money without any fear, to make a tree nursery. That means we are living with more harmony in the community.”
For the first time in years, Nadége felt a sense of security—not just in her farm, but in the people around her. She had a place to save money for the future and borrow when needed. She had neighbors she could rely on. And she had hope.
Faith, Land, and Transformation
For Nadége, the restoration of the land and the renewal of community relationships are deeply tied to her faith. She sees God’s hand in creation, in the trees she nurtures, and in the soil she tends. “Nature taught me God is wonderful because everything is important in creation,” she reflected. “When I am taking care of the trees in my yard, I feel that God is always present in my life.”
This spiritual connection is at the heart of Plant With Purpose’s mission. The organization believes that poverty, environmental degradation, and spiritual brokenness are interconnected, and that true transformation requires addressing all three. Nadége’s story is a testament to this approach. As she has worked to heal the land, her relationships with her neighbors have also been restored. And as her trust in others has grown, so has her faith in God’s provision.
Breaking the Cycle, Building the Future
Thanks to the generosity of Plant With Purpose supporters, farmers like Nadége are breaking free from the cycle of environmental destruction and poverty. They are learning to farm sustainably, restoring their land, and rebuilding their communities.
Nadége’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and renewal. “The change that gives me hope for the future is the possibility I have to save money for tomorrow and borrow when I am in need,” she said.
In Haiti and around the world, Plant With Purpose is proving that when relationships—both with people and with the land—are restored, entire communities can flourish. Nadége’s story is not just about one farmer finding hope. It is about a movement of transformation that is taking root, growing, and bearing fruit for generations to come.
Join the Movement
Plant With Purpose is helping farmers like Nadége break the cycle of poverty, restore the land, and build stronger communities.
By supporting this work, you can be part of the solution—helping plant trees, provide sustainable farming training, and empower families with financial stability.
