What does the power of the planted tree look like? In the lush but ecologically vulnerable hills of Tanzania, smallholder farmers have long lived at the mercy of harsh environmental conditions. Deforestation, soil erosion, and unpredictable rainfall have created a reality where farming, once a stable way of life, can quickly spiral into a struggle for survival.
But something remarkable is happening in these communities. Every tree planted through Plant With Purpose is triggering a ripple of transformation. Farmers are experiencing a renewal of their land, livelihoods, and hope.
Tree planting may seem like merely an environmental action aimed at biodiversity or carbon capture. And while those benefits are real, for smallholder farmers in Tanzania, trees are a matter of economic and physical survival.
Trees stabilize soil, making it more fertile and less prone to erosion. They provide shade that protects sensitive crops, produce fruit and nuts that can be sold or consumed, and act as a long-term investment when grown for timber or other wood products. Agroforestry—intentionally integrating trees with crops and livestock—has become a key tool in transforming struggling farms into flourishing, sustainable enterprises.
Plant With Purpose’s approach ensures that tree planting is not a standalone activity, but part of a broader ecosystem of change. Trees are planted as part of sustainable agricultural systems that feed families, support biodiversity, and generate income.
Davina’s Story: Planting Trees, Growing Futures
Davina, a smallholder farmer in Tanzania, was once overwhelmed by the struggle to provide for her family. The land she depended on was failing her. “I used to farm without understanding the land,” she recalls. “I didn’t know how to care for the soil or what trees could do for my crops.”
That changed when she discovered the power of the planted tree–she joined a Purpose Group, a core component of Plant With Purpose’s model. There, she learned how to integrate trees into her farmland through agroforestry practices. She planted fruit trees like mango and avocado, alongside nitrogen-fixing trees that restored her soil's fertility.
The change was dramatic. Her crop yields increased, which meant more food on the table and more products to sell at the market. With her earnings, Davina could pay for her children’s school fees and reinvest in her farm. “Now, we don’t just eat,” she says. “We thrive.”
The Financial Fruits of Agroforestry
Agroforestry does more than improve soil—it diversifies income. In rural Tanzania, depending on a single crop can be risky. A drought, pest infestation, or disease can wipe out a family’s livelihood overnight. Trees, however, introduce multiple revenue streams. They offer fruit, timber, shade-grown crops like coffee, and even medicinal products.
Magreth, another participant in a Tanzanian Purpose Group, experienced this firsthand. With limited resources and little formal education, she once worried she wouldn’t be able to support her daughter’s dreams of finishing school. Her farm became more productive and resilient through training in sustainable agriculture and tree planting. The income she earned from her diversified crops allowed her not only to pay for her daughter’s education but also to inspire and mentor other women in her community.
“Education is like planting a tree,” Magreth says. “It starts small, but it grows into something strong that gives life to others.”
Filomena: From Desperation to Leadership
Filomena’s journey shows the compounded impact of environmental restoration and financial empowerment. Before connecting with Plant With Purpose, she struggled to produce enough food to feed her family. She had heard of the power of the planted tree, but didn’t have the tools or training to start.
When she joined a Purpose Group, she received practical training on agroforestry as well as spiritual encouragement and a supportive community. She began planting trees and applying new farming techniques. The change wasn’t immediate, but it was steady.
“I believed that God would help me,” she says. “Now, I see God’s faithfulness in every tree, in every harvest.” Today, Filomena is a mentor to others in her Purpose Group, sharing what she has learned and helping others grow—literally and figuratively.
Purpose Groups: Where Trees and Transformation Take Root
Purpose Groups are at the heart of Plant With Purpose’s holistic model. These community-based groups serve multiple purposes:
Economic empowerment: Members contribute to shared savings and can take out loans to invest in their farms or small businesses.
Sustainable farming: Members learn sustainable farming and agroforestry techniques to restore degraded land and increase yields.
Spiritual growth: Groups often engage in prayer and Bible study, helping members connect their work to a greater purpose.
These groups create a sense of ownership and accountability. They build community resilience and reduce dependency on external aid. In Tanzania and beyond, Purpose Groups enable people to save for emergencies, invest in their children’s futures, and care for creation—all while planting trees that protect and restore their land.
Trees and the Theology of Hope
For Plant With Purpose, tree planting is a profoundly spiritual act. It reflects a commitment to creation care—the Biblical mandate to steward the earth responsibly. As Davina, Magreth, and Filomena will tell you, planting a tree is not just an agricultural activity. It’s a declaration of hope.
In a world that often sees the poor as helpless or dependent, these women are living proof that, given the right tools and support, communities can flourish. The power of the planted tree today will shelter the next generation. The income they earn will fund education and opportunity. And the soil they restore will sustain life for decades to come.
To date, Plant With Purpose has planted over 70 million trees across the globe, with thousands of those rooted in Tanzanian soil. The impact goes far beyond the physical environment. In communities where Plant With Purpose operates, families are more likely to have savings, healthier land, and improved spiritual well-being.
The success in Tanzania is a shining example of what happens when environmental restoration and economic empowerment go hand in hand. It shows that reforestation is not just about fighting climate change—it’s about fighting poverty, too.
Be Part of the Change
The trees planted by Davina, Magreth, and Filomena are just the beginning. With your support, more smallholder farmers in Tanzania can experience the same transformation.
Become a Purpose Partner today and help grow a world where trees restore not just the earth, but also the lives of those who care for it.
