2012 Impact Evaluation Report
Content
IMPACT REPORT (2012)
Plant With Purpose Programs Show Dramatic Results in the Lives of Rural Families
IMPACT EVALUATION RESULTS
Every three years, Plant With Purpose conducts program impact evaluations in the six countries where we work. Based on household surveys, the results show the effect that programs have on participating families, compared with families who do not participate in Plant With Purpose programs. The most recent results reveal several significant ways that Plant With Purpose programs are impacting families in the 275 communities where we work around the world. Overall Health: According to the results from evaluations in six countries, families who participate in Plant With Purpose programs showed an average 25% decrease in waterborne illnesses, including cholera, diarrheal disease, and typhoid. Overall Economic Well Being: Across six countries, evaluation results showed that participant families actively save cash 78% more often than non-participants, and they are 70% more likely to have sufficient savings for 6 months of household needs. Dominican Republic: • Families who participate in Plant With Purpose programs own twice as much land as nonparticipant families and protect 75% more land than non-participants. • Participant households are 60% more likely to own cattle (an indicator of economic wellbeing) than non-participants. • Cacao, a valuable cash crop, is harvested 30% more often by Plant With Purpose farmers than non-participants.
1 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215 San Diego CA 92117 • T 858.200.0004 • E [email protected] • W plantwithpurpose.org • Tw PlantWPurpose
• Participant families planted almost 3 times as many trees as non-participant families. Mexico: • Participant households actively save cash 68% of the time, while non-participants save cash only 45% of the time; and participants are 43% more likely to have enough savings to cover 6 months of needs than non-participants. • 77% of participants own cattle (an indicator of economic well-being), compared with 51% of non-participants; and the number of cattle owned by participants is twice that of the number owned by non-participants.. • Only 7% of participant households have dirt floors in their homes (a sign of poverty), compared with 29% of non-participant households. • Participant farmers harvested 22 different crops, compared with 8 by non-participants. Haiti: • Participant families showed a 46% decrease in cholera and a 50% decrease in typhoid, compared with non-participants. • Participant families actively save cash 4 times more frequently than non-participants. • Families who participant in Plant With Purpose programs cultivate about 20% more land than non-participants; they own 30% more land; and they protect 20% more land through reforestation or erosion control than non-participants. • Participant families plant about 3 times as many trees as non-participant families. Tanzania: • Participant families showed a 65% decrease in diarrheal disease and a 70% decrease in typhoid incidence, compared with non-participant families. • 99% of participant families actively save cash, compared with 48% of non-participants; and 50% have enough savings to cover household expenses for 6 months, compared with 6% of non-participants. • 80% of participant families own cattle, which is 42% higher than non-participants. • 66% of participants earn some household income through microenterprise endeavors, a rate that is 43% higher than what was reported by non-participants. Burundi: • 95% of farmers in Plant With Purpose associations have shared their knowledge with other farmers, and each farmer has shared with an average of 23.5 people. • Plant With Purpose participants are 24% more likely to save cash than non-participants. • Plant With Purpose participants planted 3 times as many trees as non-participants. • Plant With Purpose farmers harvested 31 different crops, compared with 20 crops harvested by non-participant farmers. Thailand: • Participant families have twice as many children enrolled in high school. • Participants are 31% more likely to actively save cash than non-participants. • Participant families are 41% more likely to own land that is protected than non-participants; and participants planted 2.5 times more trees than non-participants. • Plant With Purpose participants showed a 19% decrease in admitted gambling. • Participant families are 20% more likely to eat meat, eggs, or fish on a daily or weekly basis, compared with non-participant families.
2 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215 San Diego CA 92117 • T 858.200.0004 • E [email protected] • W plantwithpurpose.org • Tw PlantWPurpose
SUCCESSFUL, SUSTAINABLE MICROFINANCE
Much of the success of Plant With Purpose’s economic development efforts comes through our Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) program. Through this methodology, selfselected, self-managed groups work together to increase their savings and then mobilize their own money through small loans to other group members. Through this process, groups are growing their savings through interest paid on loans, and they are gaining a sense of dignity through their accomplishments. VSLA groups are learning practical skills in saving and lending, financial management, and group dynamics, as well as small-business development. The program that inspired this transition is Plant With Purpose Tanzania, which currently oversees 111 VSLA groups with 2,826 people who have a collective portfolio of U.S. $277,284 (savings plus loans in circulation). Plant With Purpose Thailand just started piloting a VSLA program with 22 new groups, and Plant With Purpose Burundi has 24 new groups with an average portfolio of U.S. $672 per group (compared with the average per capita GDP at $600). Plant With Purpose Dominican Republic now has 49 groups with 1,173 people who have a collective portfolio of U.S. $157,807. Not only is VSLA a highly sustainable approach to microfinance, but it is also an easily scalable way to create economic development opportunities for the rural poor. Plant With Purpose Tanzania programs are transforming the lives of women like Elikao, who has 8 children and has been a part of Plant With Purpose for more than five years. Before, Elikao had little hope. With her small income, only 4 of her children could attend school, and no one had enough to eat. Elikao says, “Sometimes I wished my children would fail their school exams because I was unable to pay for their [continuing] school fees.” Elikao received agriculture training, and she took out small loans through her VSLA group. She now sells chickens, eggs, and vegetables, and the income allows her to provide for her children’s needs. “Thanks to Plant With Purpose,” she adds, “women’s confidence has increased in our community.”
MOVING FORWARD
More than 25 years ago, Plant With Purpose began with a vision to address the root causes of extreme rural poverty. From the beginning, the strategy has involved an integrated approach to economic development, environmental restoration, and spiritual renewal. From a humble start in one village in Dominican Republic, this work has expanded to include 6 locally led organizations serving more than 275 communities in Haiti, Mexico, Thailand, Burundi, Tanzania, and Dominican Republic. As a result, more than 9 million trees have been planted, and about 64,000 individuals have benefitted from programs that restore dignity, allow parents to provide for their children, and help communities use their God-given skills to change their circumstances. Today, passion for our vision continues, and the programs continue to grow in depth and reach. In the near future, our plan is not only to expand into additional communities within the six countries where we currently work, but also to expand the scope of our mission by extending our programs into two new areas of great need: Ethiopia and Guatemala.
3 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215 San Diego CA 92117 • T 858.200.0004 • E [email protected] • W plantwithpurpose.org • Tw PlantWPurpose
Plant With Purpose Programs Show Dramatic Results in the Lives of Rural Families
IMPACT EVALUATION RESULTS
Every three years, Plant With Purpose conducts program impact evaluations in the six countries where we work. Based on household surveys, the results show the effect that programs have on participating families, compared with families who do not participate in Plant With Purpose programs. The most recent results reveal several significant ways that Plant With Purpose programs are impacting families in the 275 communities where we work around the world. Overall Health: According to the results from evaluations in six countries, families who participate in Plant With Purpose programs showed an average 25% decrease in waterborne illnesses, including cholera, diarrheal disease, and typhoid. Overall Economic Well Being: Across six countries, evaluation results showed that participant families actively save cash 78% more often than non-participants, and they are 70% more likely to have sufficient savings for 6 months of household needs. Dominican Republic: • Families who participate in Plant With Purpose programs own twice as much land as nonparticipant families and protect 75% more land than non-participants. • Participant households are 60% more likely to own cattle (an indicator of economic wellbeing) than non-participants. • Cacao, a valuable cash crop, is harvested 30% more often by Plant With Purpose farmers than non-participants.
1 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215 San Diego CA 92117 • T 858.200.0004 • E [email protected] • W plantwithpurpose.org • Tw PlantWPurpose
• Participant families planted almost 3 times as many trees as non-participant families. Mexico: • Participant households actively save cash 68% of the time, while non-participants save cash only 45% of the time; and participants are 43% more likely to have enough savings to cover 6 months of needs than non-participants. • 77% of participants own cattle (an indicator of economic well-being), compared with 51% of non-participants; and the number of cattle owned by participants is twice that of the number owned by non-participants.. • Only 7% of participant households have dirt floors in their homes (a sign of poverty), compared with 29% of non-participant households. • Participant farmers harvested 22 different crops, compared with 8 by non-participants. Haiti: • Participant families showed a 46% decrease in cholera and a 50% decrease in typhoid, compared with non-participants. • Participant families actively save cash 4 times more frequently than non-participants. • Families who participant in Plant With Purpose programs cultivate about 20% more land than non-participants; they own 30% more land; and they protect 20% more land through reforestation or erosion control than non-participants. • Participant families plant about 3 times as many trees as non-participant families. Tanzania: • Participant families showed a 65% decrease in diarrheal disease and a 70% decrease in typhoid incidence, compared with non-participant families. • 99% of participant families actively save cash, compared with 48% of non-participants; and 50% have enough savings to cover household expenses for 6 months, compared with 6% of non-participants. • 80% of participant families own cattle, which is 42% higher than non-participants. • 66% of participants earn some household income through microenterprise endeavors, a rate that is 43% higher than what was reported by non-participants. Burundi: • 95% of farmers in Plant With Purpose associations have shared their knowledge with other farmers, and each farmer has shared with an average of 23.5 people. • Plant With Purpose participants are 24% more likely to save cash than non-participants. • Plant With Purpose participants planted 3 times as many trees as non-participants. • Plant With Purpose farmers harvested 31 different crops, compared with 20 crops harvested by non-participant farmers. Thailand: • Participant families have twice as many children enrolled in high school. • Participants are 31% more likely to actively save cash than non-participants. • Participant families are 41% more likely to own land that is protected than non-participants; and participants planted 2.5 times more trees than non-participants. • Plant With Purpose participants showed a 19% decrease in admitted gambling. • Participant families are 20% more likely to eat meat, eggs, or fish on a daily or weekly basis, compared with non-participant families.
2 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215 San Diego CA 92117 • T 858.200.0004 • E [email protected] • W plantwithpurpose.org • Tw PlantWPurpose
SUCCESSFUL, SUSTAINABLE MICROFINANCE
Much of the success of Plant With Purpose’s economic development efforts comes through our Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) program. Through this methodology, selfselected, self-managed groups work together to increase their savings and then mobilize their own money through small loans to other group members. Through this process, groups are growing their savings through interest paid on loans, and they are gaining a sense of dignity through their accomplishments. VSLA groups are learning practical skills in saving and lending, financial management, and group dynamics, as well as small-business development. The program that inspired this transition is Plant With Purpose Tanzania, which currently oversees 111 VSLA groups with 2,826 people who have a collective portfolio of U.S. $277,284 (savings plus loans in circulation). Plant With Purpose Thailand just started piloting a VSLA program with 22 new groups, and Plant With Purpose Burundi has 24 new groups with an average portfolio of U.S. $672 per group (compared with the average per capita GDP at $600). Plant With Purpose Dominican Republic now has 49 groups with 1,173 people who have a collective portfolio of U.S. $157,807. Not only is VSLA a highly sustainable approach to microfinance, but it is also an easily scalable way to create economic development opportunities for the rural poor. Plant With Purpose Tanzania programs are transforming the lives of women like Elikao, who has 8 children and has been a part of Plant With Purpose for more than five years. Before, Elikao had little hope. With her small income, only 4 of her children could attend school, and no one had enough to eat. Elikao says, “Sometimes I wished my children would fail their school exams because I was unable to pay for their [continuing] school fees.” Elikao received agriculture training, and she took out small loans through her VSLA group. She now sells chickens, eggs, and vegetables, and the income allows her to provide for her children’s needs. “Thanks to Plant With Purpose,” she adds, “women’s confidence has increased in our community.”
MOVING FORWARD
More than 25 years ago, Plant With Purpose began with a vision to address the root causes of extreme rural poverty. From the beginning, the strategy has involved an integrated approach to economic development, environmental restoration, and spiritual renewal. From a humble start in one village in Dominican Republic, this work has expanded to include 6 locally led organizations serving more than 275 communities in Haiti, Mexico, Thailand, Burundi, Tanzania, and Dominican Republic. As a result, more than 9 million trees have been planted, and about 64,000 individuals have benefitted from programs that restore dignity, allow parents to provide for their children, and help communities use their God-given skills to change their circumstances. Today, passion for our vision continues, and the programs continue to grow in depth and reach. In the near future, our plan is not only to expand into additional communities within the six countries where we currently work, but also to expand the scope of our mission by extending our programs into two new areas of great need: Ethiopia and Guatemala.
3 4903 Morena Blvd., Ste 1215 San Diego CA 92117 • T 858.200.0004 • E [email protected] • W plantwithpurpose.org • Tw PlantWPurpose
