Planting Trees Helps the Poor

At Cold Stream Farm, we believe in fostering the growth of the environment, taking care of the world around us. One way to do this is to plant trees. There are many benefits to planting trees, many of which we’ve covered in the blog, but one benefit we haven’t touched upon is how the planting of trees can change the fortune of the rural poor, as is the case with the Christian charity Plant With Purpose and the work they’re doing in Tanzania where they’re educating Tanzanians on the importance of tree planting and sustainability.

In this article from Christian Today, Heather Tomlinson covers five ways that Plant With Purpose is showing Tanzanians on how planting trees can improve their lives: produces food, helps the soil, provides water, use trees for cooking, and last, but certainly not least, it’s a source of much-needed income for impoverished regions.

Tomlinson writes, “The charity teaches farmers how to grow tree seedlings. These seedlings can then be sold to neighbours for their farms, smallholdings, and gardens. This means there will be more trees that can bless those neighbours too, and it provides a small income for the farmer.”

Plant With Purpose is doing great work in Tanzania, and theirs is an example for all of us to follow. We encourage you to read the article and see what you can do in your own area when it comes to planting trees and educating your neighbors.