Entrepreneurship in Tanzania Changes Lives

In the heart of a village in the Hai West watershed, Hellen began her journey of Transformation and entrepreneurship in Tanzania. Life had always been an uphill battle for Hellen and her family: her motorcycle-driving husband Lameck and their four children.

Hellen labored as a small-scale vegetable seller, steady in her determination to provide for her family’s basic needs. Despite the challenges, she lacked support from her husband, requiring her to shoulder the responsibility of caring for her children and ensuring their fundamental needs were met. 

Reflecting on her journey, Hellen shares, “Making sure that my children had the basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing was not an easy task for me. The burden of providing for them fell squarely on my shoulders.”

The turning point came when Hellen attended an introductory meeting of a Purpose Group, which was conducted by a local facilitator. She was intrigued by the prospect of joining a Purpose Group and saw it an opportunity to break the cycle of financial struggle. 

“I wanted to plant my own vegetables and increase my sales to the market. I also needed to get knowledge on saving money,” Hellen recalls. Through the Purpose Group, Hellen not only found a source of financial support but also a community in Tanzania that shared her vision of sustainable agriculture. “The group has been a lifeline for me. I’ve learned about organic farming, saving money, and taking loans for my family’s needs. I have improved my relationship with the community,” she says. 

With newfound knowledge and determination, Hellen ventured into sustainable agriculture, producing organic vegetables that not only enriched her family’s diet but also became a source of income. “I started a shop in my village. I saved money from my business, and I could take out a loan from the group to provide educational support for my children. This has been a great achievement,” she happily stated.

However, Hellen’s journey was not without its challenges. The burden of providing for her family  was compounded by the lack of support from fellow parents. “I faced the challenge of less support, making it difficult to care for my family alone,” Hellen confided.

Her concern deepened as she observed shifts in moral behavior around society. This makes her worry a lot as her children are part of the community. Hellen remains a beacon of strength for her children, succeeding with her entrepreneurship in Tanzania. 

“I spend time teaching my daughters about the word of God and how to navigate the challenges in our community. Education and safety are my prayers for them,” she shares. 

The story of Hellen and her family is one of resilience and growth. Through Plant With Purpose, Hellen has not only secured a stable financial future but has also planted the seeds of sustainable agriculture in the hearts of her children. As they actively participate in the family farm, and assisting her with selling crops. Hellen is passing on invaluable life lessons, creating a legacy of resilience and hope for generations to come.

Currently, Hellen’s children are thriving in their education journeys—their eldest daughter is in college, one child is in a secondary boarding school, and the other is in a public school. Hellen has persevered to ensure the basic needs of her children are met. In the backdrop of her village, where the whispers of success intertwine with the gentle rustle of leaves, Hellen’s story of entrepreneurship in Tanzania stands as a testament to the transformative power of community, education, and sustainable agriculture.