Stories
Discover real-world stories of communities overcoming poverty and deforestation! Plant With Purpose, a Christian non-profit, shares examples of environmental sustainability and stewardship from all around the world. These stories show us how faith, resilience, and sustainable practices transform people’s lives as well as their environment. As rural families overcome poverty and heal the planet, embrace empowerment, renewal, and hope.
Haiti
Stephanie, Haiti: "We do a lot of things together so, we become more powerful.”
For many years, Stephanie lived in quiet fear. She rarely spoke outside of her home, feeling shy and uncertain of her place in the world. Her social interactions were limited to attending church, and even there, she kept to herself. She feared her husband, feared speaking in public, and feared stepping into roles outside of […]
Read More
Mexico
Sara, Mexico: “We are learning to care for the land and each other.”
In the Peñoles watershed of Mexico, Sara’s days used to be filled with quiet uncertainty. At 47 years old, she spent most of her time at home, supporting her husband, who worked as a farmer, and supporting their 24-year-old child. Life in their rural community was shaped by the rhythms of the land—land that was […]
Read More
Environmental Restoration, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania
The Role of Women in Restoring Ecosystems Through Tree Planting
Women around the world are leading efforts to restore degraded ecosystems through tree planting. From rural villages in Tanzania to Haiti’s struggling hillsides, women are not only planting trees but also cultivating resilience, sustainability, and hope for future generations. Their contributions are making a lasting impact on biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation. At Plant […]
Read More
Mexico
Carolina, Mexico: “Through nature, God gives us many things”
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 […]
Read More
Dominican Republic
Roberto, Dominican Republic: "I see God in everything around me"
In the lush, mountainous landscape of the Nizao watershed in the Dominican Republic, life for farmers like Roberto has always been shaped by the land. The soil provides, but it also demands—demanding hard work, resilience, and the wisdom to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing climate. For years, Roberto’s biggest challenge wasn’t just making ends […]
Read More
Haiti
Natacha, Haiti: "I always have hope, even if I am going through hard times"
Natacha’s life as a farmer in rural Haiti has never been easy. At 26 years old, she shoulders immense responsibility—not only as a farmer struggling against the challenges of climate change but also as a mother raising two young children on her own. In a region where poverty and environmental degradation have long cast a […]
Read More
Dominican Republic
Franklin, Dominican Republic: "Nature has taught me about God"
In the rolling hills of the Dominican Republic, where fertile soil meets the challenges of an unpredictable climate, Franklin’s story stands as a beacon of transformation. Before joining a Purpose Group through Plant With Purpose, he wrestled with deep uncertainty about his future. "The biggest concern I had before joining the Purpose Group was that […]
Read More
Climate Change, Climate Solutions, Environmental Restoration
Success Stories: Environmental Restoration Through Community Tree Planting Projects
Trees are vital to the health of our planet. They clean our air, provide shade, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity. Unfortunately, deforestation and environmental degradation have taken a toll on tree populations worldwide. But there's hope! Communities around the globe are taking action, proving that community tree planting efforts can revitalize ecosystems and create […]
Read More
Malawi
Leswika, Malawi: “It was a revelation”
In the heart of rural Malawi, where the rhythms of life are intertwined with the land, stories of resilience and change unfold. Land, often inherited, is a precious resource, yet the pressures of rural poverty can lead to practices that, while providing immediate relief, ultimately harm the environment. For Leswika, a mother of four from […]
Read More
Climate Solutions, Environmental Restoration
The Future of Farming: Regenerative Agriculture and Tree Planting
Before partnering with Plant With Purpose, Fredilin's life was defined by vulnerability. Dependent on farming and livestock, his livelihood was precarious, subject to the whims of unpredictable harvests. This instability forced him into a cycle of debt, relying on "dangerous, untrustworthy loans" to survive. His situation reflects the reality for many smallholder farmers in developing […]
Read More
Climate Solutions, Environmental Restoration, Sustainability
Women’s Cooperatives in Tree Planting: A Model for Success
Women’s cooperatives are using tree planting as a model for economic success and community development. These cooperatives are creating financial independence, fostering community collaboration, and restoring degraded lands through sustainable tree farming. Plant With Purpose’s program, designed to help communities restore their lands and overcome poverty, has helped a number of these women’s cooperatives establish […]
Read More
Burundi
Kagabo, Burundi: "We know our priorities."
Plant With Purpose believes that transforming lives is a process that happens within and around a person. Lasting change comes from the inside out, and the stories of our partners exemplify this.. We celebrate healthier farms, restored ecosystems, and new businesses, recognizing that these are often outward manifestations of an inner transformation. This is why […]
Read More
Climate Solutions, Dominican Republic, Environmental Restoration, Ethiopia, Mexico
How Tree Planting Helps Rebuild Natural Habitats
Forests are the lungs of our planet, as they provide vital oxygen, clean the air, and support life. Unfortunately, deforestation and habitat destruction have led to a dramatic decline in forest cover worldwide, threatening countless species with extinction. Tree planting initiatives offer a crucial solution, not only mitigating climate change but also playing a vital […]
Read More
All, Climate Solutions
Tree Planting as a Tool for Economic Empowerment in Developing Nations
In many nations, poverty and environmental degradation are intertwined. Deforestation is driven by factors like charcoal production and unsustainable logging, which stem from economic desperation. This leads to soil erosion, decreased biodiversity, and climate change. However, a growing movement recognizes the potential of tree planting as a powerful tool to address these challenges while simultaneously […]
Read More
Climate Solutions, Environmental Restoration, Ethiopia
Restoring Degraded Lands with Community-Led Tree Planting in Ethiopia
Ethiopia is blessed with diverse landscapes, however, faces significant environmental challenges and degraded lands, including deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification. These issues not only threaten the country's biodiversity and ecological balance but also have a profound impact on the livelihoods of those who rely on agriculture. However, a growing movement of community-led tree-planting initiatives is […]
Read More
