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.
Tanzania
Shamsa, Tanzania: "My age is not a burden"
My name is Shamsa. I’m 60 years old, a widow, and a mother of five grown children. I live in Hai District in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. I keep livestock and do small-scale farming in a garden near my house. When my husband passed away twelve years ago, he left me with the responsibility […]
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Climate Solutions
Why Faith-Based Environmental Action is the Future of Climate Justice
For decades, the climate movement and environmental action has largely been shaped by technical, policy-driven, or economic responses. And while these are vital, they often overlook the role of worldview, spiritual belief, and community values, especially in regions where faith is central to daily life. Nowhere is this more true than in the Global South, […]
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DR Congo, Sustainability
Feza, DR Congo: "Feza did what she could to survive."
At just 28 years old, Feza had already faced more than her share of hardship. Newly married and raising a young child in the Sange Watershed of the Democratic Republic of Congo, she and her husband struggled to stay afloat. The lack of income threatened not only their financial stability but the foundation of their […]
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About Our Work, Burundi, DR Congo, Haiti
Abundance is more than wealth
In the world of international development, economic indicators often dominate the conversation. How much has household income increased? How many small businesses were launched? These metrics are important, but they’re only part of the story. What about trust between neighbors? Spiritual renewal? The return of birds and pollinators to a once-barren field? Or a parent […]
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Burundi
Vyizigiro, Burundi: “What I’ve learned, I want to pass on"
"Before I joined Plant With Purpose Burundi, life felt like I was trying to carry water in a broken jar,” says Vyizigiro, a farmer and father of four living in Rutana Province. "I was always trying to get ahead, to save just enough to start a small business. But every time I tried, the money […]
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Haiti
Rose, Haiti: "Creation care is the most concrete thing"
“I was afraid.” That’s how Rose begins her story, recounting the moment she first heard about joining a Purpose Group. “My biggest worries and concerns were that by becoming a participant of a Purpose Group, I would lose my money.” The idea of handing over her limited savings—money she had worked hard to protect—seemed risky. […]
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About Our Work, Our Response
Rethinking Empowerment: What We Mean When We Say It, and Why It Matters
Empowerment is one of those words that frequently appears in conversations about global development. At Plant With Purpose, it’s a core value. It's central to how we approach our mission and how we describe the way we approach our work. But we also recognize that it can be a complex term. We believe that the […]
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About Our Work, Sustainability
Theology in Action: How Faith Shapes Sustainability
At its core, Christian environmentalism is about transformation—of hearts, habits, and habitats; theology in action. Faith-based environmental organizations, such as Plant With Purpose, operate on the belief that the ecological crisis facing our world is deeply tied to spiritual brokenness. Restoring the land goes hand in hand with restoring our relationship with God and with […]
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Haiti
Hope in Action: World Environment Day in Haiti
On June 5, the world paused to mark World Environment Day: a global moment to raise awareness and take action to protect our planet. For many, the day is an opportunity to reflect on urgent challenges like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. For the rural communities we partner with across Haiti, it became a […]
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About Our Work, Environmental Restoration
What Christian Environmentalists Need to Know About Agroforestry
Agroforestry aka forest farming—the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes—has emerged as one of the most effective strategies for both environmental restoration and poverty alleviation. It isn’t just a new agricultural trend. It’s a transformative practice that empowers communities to break free from cycles of poverty while caring for the land they depend on. For […]
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Tanzania
Magdalena, Tanzania: "I want to inspire others to believe"
Magdalena stands in front of her shop, greeting customers with a warm smile. The shop, now a thriving retail and wholesale business, is a testament to years of hard work, perseverance, and the power of community support. But it wasn’t always like this. At 50 years old, Magdalena reflects on the life she once lived […]
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Haiti
Nadége, Haiti: "God is always present in my life.”
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 […]
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blog, Environmental Restoration, Sustainability
The Role of Tree Planting in Regenerative Farming Practices
In the quest to restore both people and the planet, regenerative farming has emerged as a transformative approach to farming. Tree planting is not only a symbol of environmental renewal but also a foundational pillar of regenerative agriculture. Through tree-based techniques like agroforestry, farmers can heal degraded lands, boost food production, and create climate resilience. […]
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About Our Work
The Role of Agroforestry in Reducing Poverty and Boosting Livelihoods
When Andres first stepped onto his hillside farm in the Dominican Republic, he was facing more than just a struggling crop—he was facing the reality of a life trapped in poverty. His coffee plants, once the backbone of his livelihood, had been devastated by disease. With few alternatives and seven children to feed, his future […]
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Climate Change
Carbon Sequestration Through Regenerative Tree Planting
When Daniel, a pastor and father of six in rural Malawi, stands in the shade of recently planted trees, he sees more than saplings—he sees a future reclaimed. For him and his community in the Lwafwa watershed, the trees are symbols of hope and healing. They represent not only a reversal of environmental destruction but […]
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