Of all the world’s poorest people, 70 percent live in rural communities, and the vast majority depend on the land for survival. Yet the land isn’t producing like it used to because of a direct connection between rural poverty and environmental degradation. Plant With Purpose addresses these interconnected root causes by working directly with farmers through an integrated approach that combines reforestation efforts, agriculture training, savings-led microfinance, spiritual development, and leadership development. The overarching aim is transformed lives.

A Three-Part Approach

Environmental Restoration
For families in rural communities, their livelihood is based off of what the land produces. Through reforestation efforts and sustainable farming techniques, Plant With Purpose farmers are literally getting to the root of poverty. These efforts restore the land so that farmers can produce more food to put on the table and more income to provide for family needs. Not only does family nutrition increase, but the additional income means parents can send their children to school, provide for health care, and meet other needs—all while restoring the environment and creating hope for the future.   

Economic Empowerment
Village Savings and Loan Associations provide a sustainable form of microfinance. This savings-led approach brings groups together to create a financial safety net by saving their own money and then making loans to individuals within the group to develop small businesses, invest in their farms, and make household improvements.  

Spiritual Renewal
Plant With Purpose invests in the whole person through partnerships with local churches. Church mobilization is equipping leaders to guide congregations and community members to evaluate practical needs in their communities and create solutions using resources that are on hand.

Plant With Purpose was founded in 1984 and currently oversees work led by local staffs in over 300 communities within Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand.