Plant With Purpose

Upgrade Your Commute, Downgrade to 2 Wheels!

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:39:08 -0700

This month we take to 2 wheels in celebration of National Bike Month. May showcases the bicycle, the world’s most widely used and economical mode of transportation. Riding your bike doesn’t have to be a thing of the past, use tomorrow to make cycling a bigger part of your future.

Friday, May 18^th is Bike to Work Day, so inflate your tires, polish those rims and hit the streets! Rides and events are taking place all across the country to embrace a collaborative environmental consciousness that promotes wellness and social awareness. Since the largest source of air pollution in the U.S. comes from automobiles, consider adopting cycling into your commute and reduce the 3.6 pounds of pollutants per mile emitted to the atmosphere by cars. Charles M. Shulz said, “Life is like a 10 speed bicycle, most of us have gears we’ve never used.” Plant With Purpose wants to encourage all of us to explore the “gears” not used, and together we can support a healthier environment.

Be safe. Have fun. Check out these links:

Bike safety and maintenance:
ABC Quick Check

Make sure you’re following the law:
Rules of the Road

San Diego Resources:
Register and be entered for raffle prizes, check out businesses that are hosting Pit Stops, learn about taking public transportation for free at iCommute.

If you have to drive tomorrow, off-set your carbon emission by planting a tree or purchasing a fuel-efficient stove. And drive with caution as you might see more cyclists on the roads!

Happy riding!

**images of bike riders in Burundi

(More Than) Word To Your Mother

Thu, 10 May 2012 14:51:00 -0700

Looking for the perfect gift to honor your mom this Mother’s Day? Want to back up your love with more than words? Don’t just tell her you love her—SHOW your love: honor your mother by empowering another!

Just like your mom, the mothers Plant With Purpose works with want nothing more than health, happiness, and a bright future for their families. But for most of them, providing their children with nutritious food, clean water, a safe place to live, and a good education isn’t such an easy gift to give.

A large proportion of the world’s poor and hungry are children; it is the mothers of these children that Plant With Purpose serves. Plant With Purpose empowers these women to overcome poverty and provide for their families by restoring their land, fostering economic opportunity, and encouraging spiritual growth.

So this Mother’s Day, show your mama she taught you well by giving a lasting gift to a mother in need. Check out the following life-giving projects in our Mother’s Day Gift Catalog:

A breeding pair of rabbits: Show your mom that some bunny loves her by donating a pair of rabbits to a family in need.

A brood of 10 chicks: Give your mom a gift she’ll remember from her favorite chickadee.

Fuel-efficient Stove: Thank your mom for all the meals she’s cooked you by giving another mother a fuel-efficient stove.

Empowering women through business & financial training: Being a mother is serious business. Show your appreciation by supporting a mother around the world in her small business endeavors.

Your gift will equip and empower women to follow their dreams and give their families the gift of health, happiness, and hope for a brighter future.

When you check out, don’t forget to download and print out the Mother’s Day greeting card to give your mother so she knows that your gift will make a world of difference for a mother in a developing country.

We love you mom!

Eyes Not to See

Tue, 08 May 2012 16:57:25 -0700

By Becky Rosaler

In Genesis, we find that humans are created in the image and likeness of God. Ex nihilo, it was out of nothing that God spoke the world into existence and continued on to the pinnacle of creation, you and I. If we are made in His likeness, then we are made to create as well.

It has been said that artists are often the prophets of a culture. I am constantly amazed at the way they express what is happening around them, the details of life that most are too busy to pick up on, they hit sentiments that strike our nerves or spark further contemplation.

During a recent Vision Trip to the Dominican Republic, we had the opportunity to visit the Candido Bido Museum in his hometown of Bonao. Candido Bido is one of Dominican’s most important contemporary artists. Immediately, we noticed characteristics that signify his work: a pointillistic style, hues of blues, reds, orange and yellow, the Dominican sun, and dark holes where eyes should have been that made his pieces look incomplete. We soon learned that the omission was intentional.

As a Dominican, Bido had seen through the tropical turquoise waters, the bright sun, and the lush growth on the hillsides that most see as portraying this Caribbean nation. He saw pain. He saw suffering. He saw injustice. He saw things that he didn’t want his creations to see. So, he did what was kind and he didn’t give them eyes.

Bido’s proclamation hit a nerve in us. Over the next couple of days, our eyes were open. We were that much more intentional about taking in what was happening under the tropical, green growth, the streets we walked, the villages we visited.

Unlike Bido’s creations, we were also able to see the good that Plant With Purpose is accomplishing in the Dominican Republic. We saw an appreciation and deep friendships between rural farmers and the Plant With Purpose staff. We saw individuals caring for one another. We saw a community that worked together and gave generously.

And one set of eyes at a time, the sights of injustice under the Dominican sun became scenes of joy, hope, friendship, laughter, and a future.

Pray With Purpose this May

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:33:00 -0700

Thursday, May 3 is the National Day of Prayer. Today we are posting our monthly prayer letter so you can lift-up the work in which God has called us to participate in through prayer. Or join us tomorrow, the first Friday of the month, as the international family prays in unity for our programs.

BURUNDI

We praise God for:

The training on “Theology of Work” in the District of Vyanda, Bururi. It was excellent! We have been invited to teach there again. Initial plans were made for 60 participants, but about 90 people participated, including local administrative personnel, chiefs, pastors, headmasters, and teachers. This district is known for having wildfires every dry season. Now a commitment has been made to protect the forest and multiply tree planting this coming fall.

We pray for:

Trainings on environmental and agricultural methods, and the Village Savings & Loan Associations that are being planned in conjunction with World Relief. Please pray with us for God’s grace.
Plant With Purpose Burundi has been selected by FAO as one of a few NGOs to be supported in vegetable seed production. Our associations are currently cultivating more than 10 acres for seed production. Please pray for a good harvest.
Angelique, our assistant accountant, who had an operation and is currently in the hospital recovering.
Daphrose, a member of the board, who is sick and may need an operation.
God’s strength as we complete our activities for this year.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

We praise God for:

A successful board meeting that took place on the last Friday of April.

We pray for:

The new administrative committees of the Village Savings and Loan groups (VSLs). Please pray that God would give them wisdom and the capacity to do their jobs well as they serve their communities.
God to touch the hearts of the Dominican people as we prepare to elect a new President this month.
Our Bible study groups to serve as effective ways for people to come to know Christ.
The farmers to form community environmental groups to protect the environment.
Those who can’t read or write that are in our VSL groups. Pray that they would have the courage and motivation to be part of the “Church, Community, and Change” Literacy Project.

HAITI

We praise God for:

A successful visit from Doug and the Project 7 team who captured video of Plant With Purpose’s work.

We pray for:

A peaceful and proper resolution to the current political crisis in Haiti.
Additional commitments from farmers and staff as the Village Savings and Loan methodology is implemented.
Continued funds to come in so that we can reach our programmatic goals for the next fiscal year.

MEXICO

We praise God for:

US staff, Milmer and Kristen’s visit to Mexico. It was a blessing for the Mexico staff.
Cathi Lundy and the group of women from California who traveled to Mexico. The communities they visited were blessed.
Our promoter, Alier and his wife Isabel who just gave birth to a new healthy baby.

We pray for:

The community of San John Tamazola and the family of Pastor Emanuel Palafox. Please pray for the leadership of Pastor Palafox and that the work there will continue to grow and be a blessing.
God to strengthen and be with the producers in the garden projects.
God’s protection over the lives of our community developers.
The health of Mrs. Carmen, grandmother of our colleague Adriana. Pray that God will strengthen Mrs. Carmen and her family.
The Plant With Purpose Mexico team to function well. Pray that the team will meet its 2012 goals and will see positive change in communities where we serve.

TANZANIA

We praise God for:

Increased interest in joining our Village Community Bank (VICOBAs) programs. We currently have a waiting list!
Interest from the community in supporting and purchasing organic, leafy, green vegetables grown by Plant With Purpose groups. This development was spurred by our participation in an organic agriculture trade show.

We pray for:

Wisdom in managing the growth that will come as a result of the increased interest from the community.
Wisdom and a strong finish as we near the end of the USAID contract.
Our Siha Program Officer who is officially beginning to work in this region on his own. He’s been in training for a while and is now transitioning into managing this new area. We ask for strong partners in the community, and we pray that everything goes well.

THAILAND

We praise God for:

The successful Palaung Tribal Network board meeting. They have shown motivation to strengthen the network and would like to take a larger role in helping their people and communities.
A great board meeting in April. Pray that our Lord would lead the new board members in supporting the work of Plant With Purpose.
A successful workshop on fuel efficient stove making in Mae Ai. More farmers have started to use these improved stoves. Pray for the next workshop in Chiang Rai.

We pray for:

The preparation of staff and farmers for agroforestry and backyard gardening programs, which will start again in May and June (rainy season).
The preparation of the Village Savings and Loan pilot project, the translation of the manuals, and selection of the field officer.
The situation of the northern Thailand provinces where the government has a reforestation program that is causing many conflicts over the land. Pray that God will lead the government and local people to work well together and eliminate further conflict.

USA

We praise God for:

Successful and safe trips for Scott, Armando, Kristen, Doug, Milmer, Becky, and Aly.
The success of numerous campaigns for Earth Day that took place in April!

We pray for:

The upcoming U.S. board meeting to go well as they set direction and make decisions for Plant With Purpose.
Our Africa Program Officer, Christi’s upcoming trip to Tanzania, Malawi, and Burundi
A successful donor lunch with current and potential partners as we share about our Africa programs.
Our interns Sarah and Shannon who will be transitioning out and into new endeavors.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We are deeply grateful for your partnership!

The Other Other Percent

Tue, 01 May 2012 17:08:00 -0700

By Jimmy Lee, Development Associate

Today marks International Workers’ Day and in many parts of the world May Day rallies are being held where workers and laborers‑”the 99%”‑are gathering together to have their voices heard in large numbers. Here at Plant With Purpose, we support workers’ rights and greater inclusion of citizens in their country’s own political processes. But we also want to highlight “the 70%”‑the world’s rural poor‑who work their land each and every day to provide for themselves and their families. Plant With Purpose partners with these rural farmers around the world to equip them with the tools and knowledge to not only improve their economic situation, but to also restore the land and the environment.

Mr. Wilner Saintil is a member of the Bonom community group in Fonds Verrettes, Haiti. Using the techniques taught by Plant With Purpose, Mr. Wilner has a thriving agroforestry plot on his farmland. Some of the techniques that he has employed include grafting avocados to improve yield, interplanting sweet potatoes with other crops, and propagating banana seedlings to sell to his neighbors for additional income. Mr. Wilner hopes to earn enough money through the sale of his produce and timber trees from his agroforestry farm to build a new home for his family.

When Mr. Wilner first heard of Plant With Purpose and its plans to build cisterns in the community, Mr. Wilner was skeptical of its long-term commitment Bonom. But when he found out about Plant With Purpose’s long-term vision and it’s holistic approach to each of its projects, Mr. Wilner wanted to become part of that vision and joined the farmers association. Over time, Mr. Wilner and his association have worked together bring about positive transformation to Bonom. Because of his passion and knowledge, Mr. Wilner is now working for his community and Plant With Purpose as the agricultural technician. Everyday Mr. Wilner continues to work hard for his community and the vision that he shares with Plant With Purpose.

We’re honored to partnering with such hard working and passionate farmers like Mr. Wilner across all our programs. So on this International Workers’ Day, we want to take a moment to celebrate and give thanks to all our wonderful staff and partners: mesi, gracias, asante, kob bun krab, and thank you!

Still Celebrating the Earth

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:39:00 -0700

By Shannon Pavell, Grant Writing Intern

As we reflect on Earth Day, we want to take a moment to congratulate and thank all those involved in making the San Diego Balboa Park EarthFair such a success. Even the San Diego gloom could not prevent the 60,000 people from joining together in Balboa Park on Sunday to celebrate God’s creation. The event included 350 booths featuring all things green: there were art exhibits, crafts, games, food (vegetarian, of course), and lots of local environmental organizations, including yours truly!

At the Plant With Purpose booth we enjoyed discussing environmental issues with fellow conservationists and creating awareness of our programs while modeling our stylish tree tees. Thanks to our lovely group of volunteers we raised a total of $1,200 by selling our Plant With Purpose T-shirts, Project 7 coffee, and hand-woven baskets made by our friends in Oaxaca, Mexico.

If you missed us at the fair you still have a chance to purchase these items at the Green Fest held this week at San Diego State University. We will be there on Thursday, April 26th from 10am to 4pm. For more information go to http://www.as.sdsu.edu/greenfest/events.php?eday=5. Or stop by our office in Bay Park. The money will go directly towards planting trees in our overseas programs. Pretty soon you’ll be seeing our tree tees all over San Diego!

While the excitement of Earth Day may be dwindling, the end of April still brings opportunities to show Mother Nature that we care. Throughout the month you have heard us talking about the Live 58: Campaign. We have raised $10,110 of our $20,000 goal. There is still a week left for you to help us partner with local farmers to plant 90,000 trees in the Dominican Republic and dig 2,160 meters of soil conservation barriers. Tell your friends and family to check out our project and the 58: Global Impact Tour at http://my.live58.org/tour.

We also want to take this time to recognize our successful partnership with Groupon. Last week we doubled our goal of $1,000 and raised $2,000 through Groupon’s branch of charitable giving. That amount was matched by a generous donor to make a total of $4,000 to plant 4,000 trees in Haiti. These trees will increase soil fertility, improve crop productivity, and provide cleaner water for the communities in Haiti.

While “May gray” has come a little early in San Diego, Plant With Purpose has been inspired and renewed by all the support we have received throughout the month of April. Even though Earth Day is over we encourage you to keep up the momentum and continue to celebrate the Earth. Join Plant With Purpose in making a difference by caring for our environment.

It’s Our Nature…

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:19:00 -0700

By Sarah Lewis, Marketing, PR & Events Intern

It’s our nature that inspires us on Earth Day as we celebrate the life giving necessities of our environment. Earth Day reminds us all to take a moment to breathe in deep, and be thankful for trees!

We remember that every breath of oxygen taken has been provided by the life giving power of trees from its roots to its branches. On Sunday, April 22nd, from 10am to 5pm, Plant With Purpose will be standing together with the local community to celebrate Earth Day in Balboa Park with people who love our earth and God’s creation.

This Earth Day, challenge yourself to participate and figure out how you can bring about positive change to our planet and its most vulnerable members.

We’ll help you get started with more ways you can act with purpose. Just making one change in your daily habits will lead to more responsible lifestyle choices that will benefit our environment. Try some of these simple ideas and know that your individual impact has the power to bring about great change.

Drop by Drop - Invest in a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing plastic ones. Did you know that only 28% of PET plastic bottles got recycled in 2009?

Piling Up - Start a compost pile in your backyard and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Recycle for Trees - Make your trash pay for trees by collecting bottles and cans and taking them to a recycling center. Donate the proceeds to Plant With Purpose to help us plant more trees. You’ll not only protect the earth, but also help local communities who depend on trees and other natural resources for survival.

Carrots to Carrots - After a trip to the grocery store, add up your produce bill and match the amount to help support poor rural farmers through Plant With Purpose.

This month Plant With Purpose has had many opportunities to reach more areas and benefit more people, and it’s not even over yet. Through the month of April, Plant With Purpose is being highlighted by the 58: campaign, meaning your contributions will be doubled, meaning each dollar will plant twice as many trees in the Dominican Republic. Check out 58’s Global Impact Tour at http://my.live58.org/ tour to participate!

It’s true that Earth Day inspires us to do our part for the environment, but when we adopt more sustainable solutions and actions, we come to realize that every day is really Earth Day!

Why Trees Matter

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:07:00 -0700

Last week The New York Times featured an article about something near and dear to our hearts here at Plant With Purpose…TREES of course!

In his article Jim Robbins, author of the upcoming book “The Man Who Planted Trees,” describes the importance of these miracles of nature and the most essential benefits they offer the Earth and its inhabitants.

Trees are crucial to the survival of the planet and the regulation of life. Not only do they provide beauty and refuge in even the most uninhabitable places, they also regulate climate, work to filter contaminated water, and act as natural immunity boosters. A simple stroll through the woods can reduce stress and increase cancer fighting cells in our bodies, something the Japanese have named “forest bathing.” Remember that Aspirin you took yesterday for your headache, the main ingredient was extracted from willow trees. Even as they decompose, acid from tree leaves leaks into the ocean providing energy for plankton thus providing sustenance up the food chain all the way to us.

Robbins echos the vision of Plant With Purpose when he states the under-utilization of trees within farming and agricultural technology.“Working trees” can be strategically planted to limit land erosion, improve soil fertility, and catch run off chemicals from farmland. Plant With Purpose works with rural communities to promote the untapped potential of planting trees and teach the importance of strategic farming.

In 2011 Plant With Purpose planted a total of 973,803 trees across six different countries. The results have been an increase in crop production, improvement in water and air quality, decrease in disease, and ultimately an empowering of the poor.

For only ten dollars you can help plant an orchard in a community where their livelihood is dependent on their land. We invite you to join Jim Robbins and Plant With Purpose in our efforts of promoting and preserving such a magnificent part of creation.

And, for the entire month of April, your tree planting efforts will be doubled by a matching grant if you give to our Restoring Fruitfulness project in the Dominican Republic through the 58: Global Impact Tour.

“TREES are on the front lines of our changing climate. And when the oldest trees in the world suddenly start dying, it’s time to pay attention. North America’s ancient alpine bristlecone forests are falling victim to a voracious beetle and an Asian fungus. In Texas, a prolonged drought killed more than five million urban shade trees last year and an additional half-billion trees in parks and forests. In the Amazon, two severe droughts have killed billions more.” To read more of Robbins’ article in The New York Times, click here.

Guest Post ~ Live 58: Plant With Purpose

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:55:40 -0700

Today we have a guest post from Andrea Ward! Andrea writes the Jesus, You, and Me blog and shares about discovering Plant With Purpose through the 58: Global Impact Tour. We love her enthusiasm, her openness with her thought process, and encouragement to act. Will you join us this month as we raise the funds to plant 90,000 trees in the Dominican Republic?

For those of you in the San Diego area, we will be hosting a screening of 58: The Film on Friday, April 13 at the Moniker Warehouse. It is a free event and all are welcome!

Read on to learn why planting trees is so important!

By Andrea Ward

Last month, I talked about the importance of water with 58: Fast. Forward. The End of Poverty! This month in their world tour, they are in the Dominican Republic with a company called Plant with Purpose. I have to admit when I heard about the company and the issue of deforestation I was confused. I hadn’t heard anything about this. How did I not know about this? I like to think I keep up with issues facing those in extreme poverty and this was the Dominican Republic. I’m a Spanish teacher, so I should know about issues facing these countries. Right? Umm…no.

I remember hearing about deforestation when I was kid. I remember Arbor Day and getting a tree to plant on that day. I also thought about Captain Planet. I’ve heard about how the air isn’t as clean when we take trees away. I have also heard about erosion when trees are taken away. However, none of that really sunk in. I never really understood exactly what effect deforestation has on people until I saw this video.

I had no idea the effect that trees could have on poverty in the world today. I am stunned that as a relatively educated person I have been in the dark about this issue for so long. I see numerous trees on my street every day and I don’t ever think about the blessing they are. There are numerous trees in our yard and all of them need trimming, so I often don’t think of them as a blessing. I am thankful for 58: Global Impact Tour for informing me about this need and this company. I am excited to be now following them on Twitter and to be following their blog. I am going to be reading through all that and I’m going to be donating to this cause.

Seriously, for a few dollars I can plant a few trees and make a difference! I’m stoked about this. Are you? Because you should be. Go to the 58: Global Impact Tour website or the Plant with Purpose website and donate. Then follow them on Twitter and follow their blog. Post on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, Pinterest, or whatever other site you use about them. Tell the people you work with, tell the people you go to church with, tell your family, tell your friends, tell the people you see on the street or in the grocery store or at a gas station or wherever you are. Tell people about this! It is important and we CAN make a difference.

Are you ready to do something now? Visit the 58: Global Impact Tour to learn more about this month’s project featuring our work in the Dominican Republic.

For those of you in the San Diego area, we will be hosting a screening of 58: The Film on Friday, April 13 at the Moniker Warehouse. It is a free event and all are welcome!

Pray With Purpose This April

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:00:15 -0700

The first Friday of each month, the Plant With Purpose staff, both in the U.S. and in our six international offices, come together to pray for our programs, our partners, and the incredible work God has called us to participate in.

This Good Friday we invite you to join us as we lift up these prayers and praises together:

Burundi
We praise God for:

The International Director Scott Sabin and Program Officer Christi Huizenga’s safe and productive visit to the program in Burundi.

We pray for:

Plant With Purpose beneficiary, Mrs. Esperance’s, baby girl who has been in the hospital. Please pray for a fast recovery.

Dominican Republic
We praise God for:

The successful transition from our traditional credit cooperatives to a savings-led model over the last year. Savings groups provide farmers who usually wouldn’t have access to financial services such as savings and loans with the opportunity to save their money in a safe place, receive loans to invest in businesses, and build a network of community and accountability.

We pray for:

The communities of El Yujo, La Represa, La Joya, and Los Arroyones to embrace the savings methodology.
The women’s savings group in Aguacero as they add new members in the next savings cycle.
The staff as they seek to help communities become better stewards of their resources, both financial and natural.
The Bible Study group teachers to be effective and compassionate in their outreach and teaching.

Haiti
We praise God for:

The safe and wonderful visit from the U.S. team.
The successful savings group training that took place last month.

We pray for:

The success of the Village Savings and Loan pilot project. Pray that the savings groups will promote unity and solidarity among participants as they join together to save money and provide loans.
A strong end to the fiscal year for staff and farmers alike.

Mexico
We praise God for:

The recent Vision Trip; it was a blessing to the local program as well as the visitors.
His protection of our staff and farmers, especially during the earthquake on March 20th.

We pray for:

Our new employees, Carlos Cua Cach and Jorge Lopez, who work in the community of Mitlatongo. Pray that God will keep them in His grace, and that they will be empowered to share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The upcoming Vision Trip. Pray that God will protect the visitors and that the trip will be a blessing for all who participate.

Tanzania
We praise God for:

The 3,000 people who came to our agricultural trade show in Marangu.

We pray for:

A smooth development process for the irrigation canals we intend to build in collaboration with community groups and the government. The project will bring clean water to communities.
Wisdom as we look to fill two open staff positions: a monitoring and evaluation officer and a Village Community Banking (VICOBA) program leader.

Thailand
We praise God for:

The successful and meaningful workshop on Holistic Ministry with 44 church leaders and pastors. The theme of the workshop was how the local churches could respond to environmental issues (such as people using chemicals and clearing land for mono-cropping). The leaders and pastor were also trained on organic methodologies, agroforestry, and backyard agriculture.

We pray for:

The Village Savings and Loans (VSL) preparations and translations necessary for the pilot project starting in June.
The Women’s Literacy Projects in three villages that promote the roles of women in their communities’ development.
The end of the drought and air pollution in Northern Thailand.

USA
We praise God for:

The numerous campaigns that are highlighting our work this month in honor of Earth Day, including the 58: Global Impact Tour, World Vision’s ACT:S Network, Project 7, Groupon, AOL, and Tyndale House Publisher’s The Way.

We pray for:

Our campaigns to generate awareness and that the money raised will bring about transformation for our farmers and that individuals will be moved to act in ways that honor our Creator.
A successful showing of the Live 58 Film here at the San Diego Office on April 13. Pray that the movie will open doors for new connections, change hearts, and support our Global Impact Tour project in the Dominican Republic.
Safe and fruitful staff trip to Mexico (Milmer, Kristen), and the Dominican Republic (Armando, Becky, and Aly).
Earth Day – For the spiritual transformation of those meet.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We are deeply grateful for your partnership, and wish you a blessed and happy Easter!

April Showers!

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:49:00 -0700

When it rains, it pours! This April we’ve been showered with some incredible opportunities and partnerships to restore the Earth, celebrate Easter, and transform the lives of the rural poor. It’s going to be a busy month!

We wanted to fill you in on some of the amazing partnerships that launch this month!

58: Global Impact Tour
Together with the 58: campaign, we are working to fast forward the end of poverty. This month we get to take you all on tour to see our work in the Dominican Republic! The goal is to raise $40,000 through fasting, saving, and giving. The money will be going to restoring fruitfulness to the land and empowering our farmers.

58: Film Screening
On April 13 we will be screening the 58: film at the Moniker Warehouse (705 16th Street Suite 100, San Diego, CA) at 7:00pm. A live music performance by Cameron Lewis will take place prior to the screening. Email Becky for complete details and to RSVP.

World Vision ACT:S
ACT:S is World Vision’s network of young (or young at heart) activists. This platform inspires us to put our faith into action. ACT:S is running an Earth Day Challenge in April and has invited us to curate a page, providing resources and challenges. If you’re looking for a way to honor our Creator, check out the list of act:ions to implement and add your own story of sacrifice!

Groupon
Groupon has a giving platform, so while you’re getting a deal on some local hot-spots, be sure to spend some of those savings on planting trees in Haiti! This campaign will be running the second half of this month.

Project 7 ~ Save The Earth
Our friends at Project 7 are always raising funds for us to plant fruit trees. Save The Earth products (mints, water, coffee, gum) can be found at Walmart, in airports, and other retailers throughout the States. This month alone they’re aiming to raise enough money to plant 2 million fruit trees!

AOL
For those of you still using AOL.com, on April 24, we’ll be on your homepage! In honor of Earth Day, AOL Impact will be challenging people to donate a dollar to plant a tree!

The Way
How many of you remember this best-selling Bible from 1972? Well this month, Tyndale House Publishing is re-releasing this edition of the Bible. Our Executive Director Scott Sabin has written an excerpt that is included in the new edition. The Way is also launching a website to foster open communication, questions, doubts, and hope! We’ll be sharing our thoughts and hearts with this community throughout the year.

Is your head reeling yet? There’s lots going on, so keep in touch with our Facebook page for campaign updates, join in the conversation where you feel inspired, fast with us, give with us, buy some gum, and help us spread the word as we work together to bring hope to the rural poor.

The Gospel Lived Out.

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:24:00 -0700

Ladies and gentlemen, today you are in for a treat.

Yesterday we shared the incredible story of Teodora Sánchez and her church in the village of Loma Verde in the Dominican Republic. We were so inspired by the idea of a church joining with Plant With Purpose to combat illiteracy that we decided to post about it again today.

Today Corbyn Small, Regional Representative shares his firsthand experience from his trip to the Dominican Republic just a couple weeks ago. He had the privilege of meeting Teodora, the incredible literacy trainers in her church, and the inspiring men and women who are learning to read.

Take it away, Corbyn!

There I was, riding in the very back of a 12-passenger van, without words. I was struck with awe, gratitude, and humility as I listened to the Director of our work in the Dominican Republic share his testimony with our group of seven visitors. My heart welled with inspiration at the amazing story that Carlos, our director of nine years, shared about how he came to know Christ and asked him into his heart.

Let me start by saying that Carlos is already one of the most humble, gracious, and caring men that I know, but hearing his story filled my heart until it overflowed with joy. First, Carlos described a separation from God, a time in his life where he did not know God or have any belief in Him. He was able to get a good job working for the government through the Ministry of the Environment after he received a U.S.-based education in Agriculture and Economics.

But he wasn’t fulfilled, he said.

Carlos knew there had to be more. He went on to describe how one afternoon something unexplainable came over him. He didn’t understand what he was feeling, but he picked up a Bible and started reading the New Testament. Immediately, waves of emotion flowed over him, and he explained that his tears were a mystery to him.

As Carlos vividly described rushing to the nearest church, I could picture him rapping on the door until a pastor opened it and asked him how he could help. Overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit, Carlos entered and told the pastor that he didn’t understand why he was there. The pastor replied that he knew why he was there, and that he was there in search of the Lord. The Lord had been working in Carlos’s heart and used His word to open his eyes and heart. Carlos accepted the Lord that afternoon and described it as the most important step he had ever taken. It was not without the grace of God.

Carlos’s story was enough to bring tears to my eyes and my heart to overflowing, but there’s more yet. Earlier in our trip, our group was blessed to sit in on a meeting organized through Plant With Purpose and one of the leaders of a local church in Loma Verde. Plant With Purpose had worked alongside the pastor, Teodora Sánchez, to identify the most critical issues faced by the members of her community. Near the top of that list was illiteracy amongst adults.

The group we visited focused on teaching adults how to read, and after sitting through a class we listened to testimony after testimony of individuals who were learning to read. They said things like learning to read allowed them “to walk confidently in the streets” and how they wouldn’t “have to fear embarrassment anymore.”

After many of the farmers shared, a man in his thirties stood up and said, “I want to learn how to read so that I can read the Bible for myself.”

It was a powerful statement at the time, and it left us encouraged at the great work that Teodora was doing in Loma Verde to share the love of Christ with those around her.

The weight of that man’s testimony didn’t hit me until later, when I was in the van, listening to Carlos as he said, “this literacy group means so much to me because this is how the Lord called my heart.” The young man wants to learn to read so that he can read the Word of God and come to know Him more.

And so it hit me, this is it—the gospel lived out in real ways by real people who love Jesus.

I’m overwhelmed and blessed by the opportunity to work with such a God-fearing and humble team that desires to see God’s kingdom lived out here on earth as we serve one another and share His good Word.

Spiritual Renewal: It's as easy as A, B, C

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:10:36 -0700

Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve shared the incredible story of Teodora Sánchez, an inspiring woman from the Dominican Republic. We’ve shared how Teodora engaged her community in environmental restoration and how she’s joining with others to foster economic empowerment.

Today we’d like to draw your attention to the spiritual renewal that is springing up in Teodora’s community of Loma Verde.

As a pastor, Teodora is constantly looking for new ways to engage both the physical and spiritual needs of those around her. One issue that has plagued Teodora’s community is illiteracy. When she heard that Plant With Purpose had initiated a new project designed to mobilize churches to respond to the needs of the community, Teodora’s eyes sparkled with joy at the opportunity to fight illiteracy.

Through the “Church, Community, and Change” project, Plant With Purpose partnered with Teodora and her church to implement a literacy program in Loma Verde. Teodora provided the vision; Plant With Purpose helped turn the dream into a reality.

Teodora says, “The Church, Community, and Change pilot was a great blessing from God. More than 30 people attended the literacy classes in January 2012 and more are expected to register throughout the year. Church members serve as the literacy facilitators.”

As the church serves, hope swells: community members build confidence, families become less vulnerable, economic opportunities emerge, and families gain hope for a brighter future.

One of the most exciting outcomes is that community members are able to read the Bible for themselves for the first time. Hearts and lives are transformed as the Word comes alive in powerful new ways.

Wow.

Could there be a better picture of the church sharing the love of Christ with their community in word and deed?

We are touched by the transformation taking place in Loma Verde, and we are grateful for your role in joining with leaders like Teodora to bring hope to their communities in loving, practical ways.

MORE OF TEODORA

- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2

Help Us In Welcoming Sarah!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:51:46 -0700

There’s a new intern on deck in the marketing department at Plant With Purpose, that’s me Sarah Lewis, putting the ‘elation’ back in ‘Public Relation.’ What am I elated about you might ask? As the new PR/Marketing Intern, I have the opportunity to dig my hands deeper into the soil of Plant With Purpose’s mission and vision in communicating and promoting environmental restoration to a global community…but I’m getting ahead of myself, let me give you the scoop on who I am.

We’ve probably met before. You know the woman in front of you in line at the grocery store who was intermittently chuckling to herself, and later proceeded in riding her grocery cart like a luge to the car? Nice to meet you, too.

I’m a high energy person with large ambitions wrapped up into an equally large 6’3’’ package. Don’t worry, I try and funnel all the energy and spunk into multiple avenues, so not just one place gets “spunkified.” I am currently a Youth Director for 2 San Diego churches, as well as a Youth Activities Coordinator for a local refugee organization.

I was born and raised in San Diego, but was plucked off the southern California vine when I was recruited to play volleyball at San Francisco State University. God not only gave me a stepping stone because of my athletic ability, he also gave me a future by ripening my passions for international justice, and leading me to my undergraduate degree in International Relations with an emphasis in Sustainable Agriculture.

Everything changed for me in the fall of 2008 when I took my first upper division course entitled “Political Food Economy.” I learned that first day how the food I love to eat (and let’s admit it now, I love to eat lots of food) comes at a cost. The cost isn’t completely conveyed on the price tag or read in the detail of the bar code, the cost is measured by the people that work to plant, produce, and package that food so it can sit on my plate come dinner time. That’s why I’m here at Plant With Purpose, to not only relate these ideas to those that wish to learn about their earth and our fellow man, but to also reinforce the mission Plant With Purpose has in transforming lives by providing and encouraging the rural poor to generate their own sustainability through agriculture.

I’m glad we’re now formally acquainted, I hope to be seeing you down the road these next couple months, and remember to give that woman laughing in front of you in line a break, they might be a Plant With Purpose intern remembering a funny joke.

“Without Water There Is No Life”

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:50:00 -0700

Happy World Water Day! Today is the day to pause and reflect on our global consumption, current practices, and the future of this commodity: water. Let’s face it, we use a lot of water—to drink, to shower, grow food, to wash the dirt splotches off our cars. We all leave a water footprint wherever we go, and it appears that our feet are getting bigger!

For many of the world’s poorest people, their very survival is contingent on the health of their environment and access to water. Of course the same applies to us, but in a much more removed way. It’s easy to forget that our bottled water actually comes from a stream or our prepackaged food is actually grown in this thing called soil.

Plant With Purpose recognizes this growing footprint and is taking active steps every day to organize long term, large-scale restoration of ecosystems impacted by water concerns while providing for immediate water needs.

Communities faced with water scarcity are forced to send women and children on dangerous roads to local springs, often hours away, to collect water in buckets. Estilis Senat, a member of a community in the region near the Haitian-Dominican border, whose land has been ravaged by deforestation and water insecurity, remarks that “without water there is no life.”

Plant With Purpose has partnered to build multiple rainwaterharvesting cisterns in Estilis Senat’s community and ones like it. Cisterns provide a steady, consistent water supply by collecting large amounts of precipitation and water runoff from the roofs of hillside homes. By increasing a community’s access to water, power is brought back into rural communities as they are equipped to make a significant contribution toward reversing the current cycle of deforestation, erosion, and poverty. Each cistern has the capacity to hold 16,000 gallons of water, providing enough water for household and community use, eliminating the need for farmers and their families to spend time collecting and transporting water, and providing them with additional time to be spent improving farming techniques, engaging in community development, and implementing reforestation efforts.

Building new cisterns, along with improving farming techniques, are just some of the ways Plant With Purpose empowers the rural poor to improve the quality of their soil, protect their natural resources, bringing water—and life—back to their communities.

Have a wonderful World Water Day!

Create Your Eden Valley

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:45:00 -0700

After a couple of stormy days, the sun came out! The rains brought with them the life giving supply of water to the mountains, watersheds and our yards. Around here, spring has definitely sprung! Trees are sending out new growth. Hillsides are in full bloom. My Roger’s Red leaves are budding and the scent of freesia fills the air.

With the weather warming up, it is time to start getting your garden ready for the harvests that are to come. If your backyard compost pile hasn’t fully brewed, then we want to encourage you to head to an independent garden center and invest not only in your fruits and vegetables but also in Plant With Purpose.

Kellogg Garden Products and the Kellogg family are longtime partners and friends of Plant With Purpose. This spring, they have launched a new high-end line of premium planting mix and potting soil, Eden Valley. Eden Valley is sustainably produced and comprised of kapok sees and coir from the rainforest.

Kellogg Garden Product’s philosophy on business is one of giving back. This generosity is rooted in the family run company, which got its start in the 1920s when H.Clay Kellogg Sr. saw the positive effects of adding Nitrohumus to depleted soil. They are rooted in local planting and give to school programs and community organization.

We are excited to announce that with each bag of Eden Valley purchased, Kellogg will be donating $1 to Plant With Purpose. So that means you’re not only going to grow some pretty amazing vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers but you’ll also be growing the lives of our brothers and sisters who depend on their soil for survival.

So, how are you starting spring? We hope it includes getting your hands dirty as we plant towards changed lives. Happy gardening!

Going GREEN in Honor of St. Patrick

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:58:00 -0700

Today as we celebrate our honorary holiday of Irish history and folklore, we find it an opportunity to ‘go green’ in more ways than one. During Friday staff devotions, we were reminded of some truths behind St. Patrick like that he was actually from Britain. He is one of the most well known survivors of child slavery as St. Patrick was originally captured and taken to Ireland at the age of 16. He worked as a shepherd for 6 years prior to escaping and returning home. Once home, he felt the calling to return to Ireland and share with them the good new, the Gospel of Christ.

Because of the remoteness of the British Isles, Christianity developed into the Celtic tradition that we remember today through things such as the Book of Kells, Celtic crosses, the use of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity and the design known as the Trinity Knot. Over the decades following St. Patrick’s evangelism of Ireland, an understanding of Christianity evolved that embraced living in community, radical discipleship, a passion for peace and justice, a rich tradition of worship, affirming both men and women, and was ‘green’ in its stewardship of the earth (Saving Celtic Spirituality).

The people of Ireland lived in close connection to the natural world with a dependency on the environment for survival. They saw God in creation as David Adam explains in The Wisdom of the Celts:

All things belonged to God and were contained in him, as the greater contains the lesser. Because God was the Maker of the world, the world was seen as good. So they could ask, ‘How can one love God without loving his creation?’ Respect for God was shown in respect for all around them. The Celts saw themselves as part of creation and not separate from it, so Columbanus could say, ‘He who tramples on the earth tramples on himself.’ The Celts realized that to harm the earth is to show contempt for its Creator, and it has been suggested that, if the Celtic understanding of our oneness with the world had survived, we would not be having our current ecological problems. They saw the world as the primary way God communicates with people. It is through creation that God reaches out to us and through creation we understand him. If we get our understanding of creation wrong, this affects our understanding of God.

So today, as we don green attire, cook corned beef, and drink green beer, let’s challenge ourselves to go green in another way. Spend some time reflecting on how connected we are to Creation and how Creation reflects our Creator. Allow these reflections to move you to action, simple steps to reduce our “tramplings” on the earth.

May these words of St. Patrick’s inspire further reflection:

Our God is the God of all,
The God of heaven and earth,
Of the sea and of the rivers;
The God of the sun and of the moon and of all the stars;
The God of the lofty mountains and of the lowly valleys
He has His dwelling around heaven and earth, and sea and all that in them is.

Here are a few ideas to go green:

Go paperless on bills and start paying them electronically saving trees and the expense of stamps!
Don’t just take your reusable shopping bags to the grocery store, take them with you on all shopping excursions.
Join the local environmental conversation and jump in to watershed restoration projects, trash pick-ups, trail maintenance, etc.
Start participating in Meatless Mondays, cooking vegetarian food at least one day a week.
Consolidate driving time by doing all your errands at once.
Invest in a reusable water bottle to fill and take with you.
Carpool to the farmers market, to church, or work cutting back on carbon emissions and creating more community!
Make your shopping list on scratch paper or better yet, your smart phone.
Recipes are popping up everywhere for green cleaning products. Do some research and cut back on the chemicals in your house!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Saving Money, Sparking Hope

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:39:42 -0700

Last week we introduced you to a remarkable woman, Teodora Sánchez from Loma Verde, Dominican Republic. Teodora is a mother, grandmother, pastor, and empowerer.

Together with Plant With Purpose, she is overcoming poverty and empowering others to do the same.

One of the many hats she wears is the Village Savings and Loan (VSL) Coordinator. Savings groups are a way for community members to pool their own money in order to offer loans to group members, thus growing their own savings through interest paid on these loans.

Joining with 30 other members, Teodora is learning to save as well as invest in various economic opportunities. As a result, her family’s finances are improving and they even have a small cushion for emergencies.

But the benefits of these groups reach far beyond Teodora and her family’s finances. Because VSLs provide a transparent platform for community members to save and borrow money, they are no longer borrowing from predatory lenders. Families have a chance to start new entrepreneurial ventures, make improvements to their farms and businesses, and finance their children’s education. Gambling has even been reduced as a culture of savings is being fostered.

“VSLs strengthen the community. They affirm our core values: God, unity, community, and family. VSLs improve our morale and self-esteem and teach us values essential in empowering us to resolve our own problems. The community has more faith in God for a better tomorrow,” Teodora explains.

It’s amazing the transformation that can take place when communities work together to improve their lives:

Competition is replaced with collaboration.
Gambling and addiction is replaced with savings and accountability.
The cycle of debt is replaced with steps toward freedom.
Poverty is replaced with prosperity.

The entrepreneurial spirit is empowering the rural poor as they catch this vision of lifting themselves out of poverty. Teodora is just one of many hopeful collaborators in this life-changing work that leads to environmental, economic, and spiritual transformation for hundreds of communities around the world.

Hope is alive! Thank you for your partnership in bringing hope to the hopeless.

And keep an eye out for the next installment of Teodora’s incredible testimony to learn how she is fostering spiritual growth within her community.

Meet Shannon!

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:36:00 -0700

Hello Plant With Purpose! I am excited to introduce myself as your new Grant Writing Intern, Shannon. Let’s start with the basics.

Name: Shannon Leigh Pavell

Date of Birth: March 29, 1987 (It’s coming up!)

Education: B.A. in Business Administration, Minor in International Development from Point Loma Nazarene University

Occupation: Figuring out life. Also, Health Club Associate at Kona Kai Resort. Also, Grant Writing Intern at Plant With Purpose!

Okay, enough with the boring stuff. I want to share with you a little of my heart and why I am thrilled to be given this opportunity. I first became familiar with Plant With Purpose (during its days as Floresta) while attending Point Loma Nazarene. Being involved in the International Development Department and taking a variety of nonprofit-related classes I often heard about the success stories of the organization. The three-part mission of environmental restoration, economic empowerment, and spiritual renewal struck me because it aligned with my own ideas of sustainable development. In 2008 I considered applying for an internship at Plant With Purpose, but ended up taking a position at the Museum of Photographic Arts as their Development Intern. I enjoyed my time at the museum and was honored to be a part of another nonprofit, Kids Included Together, around the same time.

Since graduation I have been working at the Kona Kai Resort and Spa on Shelter Island where I have had the privilege of working with the greatest people in San Diego. Every day I am rewarded by the faces and stories of those I meet. Stories that make my job worthwhile. I look forward to a similar environment at Plant With Purpose, and I can’t wait to hear and share with you the wonderful work being done by the organization.

I can already tell I am going to love it here. I have shaken some sweaty hands after a lunch break work out and I have recently taken up cycling to get in shape (In fact…I rode 75 miles last weekend!) I am told there are some foodies in the office, and I am always looking for new restaurants and recipes. And like most caffeine addicts, I love sharing stories over a cup of coffee. What I am most excited about, however, is the shared commitment to sustainable development. I have a lot to learn and a lot to give. I feel privileged to be doing so alongside Aly and the rest of Plant With Purpose. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for me over the next few months.

Bonus section: I love…my family, my friends, photography, biking, hiking, flying, sailing, the ocean, rainy days, good food, coffee breaks, traveling stories, spontaneous trips, and my lovely life in San Diego.

We’re celebrating women today!

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:58:00 -0800

Did you know that it’s International Women’s Day?

For most women around the world, the mere fact that they were born female places them under an incredible burden. Women are more likely to be impoverished, have less access to health care and education, and are the first victims and often the easiest targets in conflict areas.

At Plant With Purpose, we say that the poor are one of the world’s greatest untapped resources. We think that’s even more true of poor women. Across our programs we’ve seen time and again the remarkable impact and influence women can have on their communities.

In fact, studies have found that an increase of a woman’s income by just $10 achieves the same improvements in children’s nutrition and health as an increase to a man’s income of $110.

Click here to view the entire “Female Face of Farming” infographic from Farming First.

Today we’d like to introduce you to a woman who is transforming the lives of those around her. Meet Teodora Sánchez from the small village of Loma Verde in the Dominican Republic. Teodora and her husband, Agustín, have four children and five grandchildren. Though few women in the Dominican Republic work outside the home, Teodora is acting out her call to be both a pastor and an activist in her community. She is learning to utilize her God-given talents to transform her community.

At first Teodora started small. She attended a couple environmental workshops organized by Plant With Purpose. In those first meetings, she discovered “The Bible teaches us that we need to take care of Creation. God made it for us but we need to exercise stewardship over it. We cannot destroy it. We need to take care of the plants, the water, and the air.”

From there the seed of environmental stewardship grew. She attended more workshops, applied sustainable agriculture techniques at home, and began to encourage her family, friends, and neighbors to care for their land. She now leads a group of more than 80 volunteers who gather to participate in community cleanups and plant trees in critically deforested areas.

Teodora’s passion and leadership is literally transforming her entire region—seedlings sprout as signs of hope, rivers run with water anew, and crops creep up across once barren land. The landscape is becoming more pleasing to look at, but also more fruitful and productive, meaning desperate families—the men, women, and children Teodora ministers to as a pastor—will have more food to eat, more money to spend on health and education, more opportunities to succeed now, and more hope for the future.

And all of this because Plant With Purpose empowered one woman from one family in one village.

And so this International Women’s Day we celebrate Teodora and the hundreds of other women across our programs who are acting as catalysts for change in their communities. We celebrate the strength and power and beauty of women, and we rejoice in the hope of holistic transformation for men, women, and children alike.

Happy Women’s Day!