Do you have to spend money to make money?

Paul Massawe, a farmer from the village of Masia Mamba, Tanzania, was spending too much money on his farm. His corn crop not only required excessive amounts of expensive fertilizer, but planting only one type of crop year after year was depleting his soil. Depleted soil meant he had to use even more expensive fertilizer to produce enough corn to support his six children. He was trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.

With Plant With Purpose's sustainable agriculture training, Paul learned that he didn't have to spend money to make money. Plant With Purpose taught Paul which trees and crops to grow that require less water as well as help improve his soil. Now, Paul also grows green beans, carrots, onions, and kale, which are better for the soil and require less fertilizer. Through the help of Plant With Purpose, Paul has been able to reduce the operating cost of his farm while simultaneously providing added income and nutrition for his family. He has is now able to send his children to school, and he has begun building a house for himself and his family.

Paul says, “I am grateful for Plant With Purpose who has come to teach the villagers improved farming techniques and has given them a wider variety of crops for the land.”

July 2010 Tanzania Trip

Interested in getting a closer look at our programs? Next July, you can by participating in Floresta’s community development efforts in several villages on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Plus, you can climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and visit Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park on a 3-day safari. Not too shabby. Here are the details:

Trip Summary Participants will fly from the United States to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro airport. We will start the trip in the village of Masia-Mamba located on Mount Kilimanjaro at an altitude of 5,500 feet. It is a village hungry for hope as they fight against poverty, disease, and malnutrition.

Plant With Purpose brings hope to this region by offering new agricultural techniques, reforestation plans, capital for small business ventures and spiritual training. The group will assist Plant With Purpose’s work by participating in the following activities:

- replanting in spring areas to increase water flow for irrigation

- building livestock shelters and fuel efficient cooking stoves

- planting trees in the village common areas

- building relationships with individual families

- participating in “Kid’s Games-Tanzania” with local children

After the village visits, participants will have the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro on the 7-day Machame route. Guides, porters and a dining tent with table and chairs are included. The summit day will include a visit to the summit crater for a close-up view of Kili’s glaciers.

The safari will begin in the Lake Manyara National Park and continue in the Ngorongoro Crater. Lodging will be two nights at the beautiful Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge on the crater rim.

Dates July 3-18, 2010

Daily Schedule

Day 1-2 Travel to Tanzania

Day 3-5 Safari in Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara

Day 6-8 Work in Floresta villages

Day 9-15 Kilimanjaro Climb

Day 16 Travel home

Cost Kilimanjaro climb $1,300, village visits $200, safari $1,000 – TOTAL $2,500 plus airfare. Total based on double occupancy and includes all expenses in Tanzania except beverages, tips, and personal items. Airfare is approximately $2,200 and reservations should be made early to guarantee seat availability at the lowest prices.

Reservations For questions and reservations, contact Cindy Outlaw at (858) 775-7230 or cindyoutlaw@aol.com. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due with registration – balance due March 1, 2010. Individual itineraries can be modified for shorter or longer trips.