Foundation Annual Report 2019

Plant With Purpose
“The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees
bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:12 (NIV)
Plant With Purpose, a Christian nonprofit, also sees the goodness in vegetation
and utilizes it in their efforts to combat two of the world’s most critical issues: extreme
poverty and deforestation. “85% of people in extreme poverty are rural farming families.
Deforestation leaves these families even more vulnerable.” Plant With Purpose’s mission is
to reverse deforestation and poverty around the world by transforming the lives of the rural
poor. They accomplish this through environmental restoration, economic empowerment
and spiritual renewal.
As part of the environmental restoration component, Sustainable Development
Groups learn about a variety of environmental and agricultural topics which teach them that
caring for the environment builds resilience, increases crop yields, creates flourishing family
farms and revitalizes their community. Velouse from Haiti states, “I know how to protect my
land against the erosion and I use compost on my farm as natural fertilizer.” In fact, Plant With
Purpose families have 44% higher crop yields.
As part of the economic empowerment component, the key platform is the Village
Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). VSLA provides financial tools that enable families to
save profits from their farms and invest in their dreams. Plant With Purpose strengthens this
component with additional teaching on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, empowerment
and generosity. Gloria from the Dominican Republic says, “…my income and quality of life
have greatly improved.” In fact, Plant with Purpose families have twice the amount of savings.
As part of the spiritual renewal component, Plant With Purpose equips the local
church to spread God’s love to the farming families. This in turn helps them discover they
have agency, purpose and hope. Eleuterio from Mexico states, “I have peace. I have goals for
my life. I feel like I am doing what God wants me to do. I am helping God’s children and land.
God is our creator and our motivation…” In fact, Plant With Purpose families are 64% more
likely to believe they can improve their lives.
Plant With Purpose has programs led by local teams in Burundi, the Dominican
Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania and
Thailand. The Chapelwood Foundation has specifically provided funds to equip and train
Sustainable Development Groups in Grande Colline, Haiti.
Plant With Purpose works to allow families to restore their relationships with God,
the land and each other. Their holistic program leads to God-given hope and dignity for a
better future. And we all saw that it was good!
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GLOBAL