We think of ourselves as a family What I thought was impossible, has become possible! In fiscal year 2021, we launched THRIVE 25, our new strategic plan, with My name is Francine, I am 28 years old. I always dreamed that one day what felt like the ambitious goal of doubling our impact over the next I would be financially independent and well regarded. But life didn’t start five years. By God’s grace, and with your support, we exceeded our out that way. I was married at 18 to a young man who was unemployed. first-year stretch goal by 25% and, realizing that our five-year goal was in We couldn’t produce enough crops to meet our family’s needs. We ate reach by year two, updated the plan, nearly doubling our 2025 objectives. only one, poor meal a day. Life was so hard I even tried to run away. We continue to learn how to operate against the background of COVID-19 In 2014 a friend told me that she had also gone through difficult and to better understand how our integrated program contributes times, but benefited from joining a Purpose Group. After convincing significantly to resilience and hope in the communities we serve. Despite my husband, we also joined a group. We began to save money and the pandemic, we were able to meet or exceed all of our program goals for the training led me to develop a passion and love for agriculture. the year, planting over six million trees for the first time. We also completed We expanded our farm and planted forest trees and fruit trees. our triennial impact evaluation which demonstrated that the impact of Applying regenerative techniques, our production tripled. our work was widespread and significant, extending beyond our direct participants to their neighbors, and all who live within our key watersheds. I began to train others in these techniques and was chosen to be a Village Agent. I now supervise eight Purpose Groups. Because my Of course, there have been challenges as well. Here, we suffered the loss family has been transformed in front of everyone, others easily follow of a beloved colleague, Kirstie Hibbard, in a tragic accident. Internationally, and apply the training. in addition to the pandemic, several of our partners have been dealing with civil unrest. Their perseverance, despite the threat of violence has I have seen 45 members significantly improve their standard of living been inspiring. _ following my example and technical advice this is a great source of We enter the new fiscal year, excited about rapidly increasing opportuni- pride for me. In addition to our expanding farm, we were also able to ties, largely due to growing interest around tree planting and nature-based build a house and open a small shop that my husband manages, and solutions to climate change. I am thrilled by the opportunity to do more for recently a bakery. We can now hire workers for our farm. both people and planet. Today, we eat three meals a day. My children are well dressed and We think of ourselves as a family which includes not only our team in I can easily pay school fees. My goal is to see at least 80% of the the United States, but our local partners who are working in each of our people in my groups change their behavior and improve their standard program countries. Crucially, it also includes the farming families we serve, of living. I feel respected in my community and in my family. I also as well as the donors and supporters who make that work possible. We know that the work I am doing benefits the whole planet. It feels good have the unique privilege of connecting those disparate groups, and it has to be part of the Plant With Purpose global community. been a blessing to see how this connection continues to deepen and grow. Francine Thank you so much for your partnership. Village Agent Scott Sabin Burundi CEO 11
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