Teenage Sisters & Interweave Solutions Launch Eco-Friendly Self Reliance Charity Initiative for Farmers in Uganda
Provo, Utah (PRWEB) October 15, 2015 -- In 2013 Sierra Curtis, then just a sophomore in high school traveled with Interweave Solutions to Uganda to learn about their business training process. While in Uganda she found a cause she was passionate about and took the seed of an idea home with her. Now two years later she and her sister Sienna Curtis have partnered with Interweave Solutions to launch the project Invest In Hope: Seedlings of Sustainability.
Invest in Hope: Seedlings of Sustainability is a project that specifically ties together poverty reduction and protection of the environment. The project involves raising funds to distribute through the Interweave micro-loan process to farmers in Uganda. Many of the forests in Uganda have been cut down to make charcoal, one of the only energy sources available to the population. As more and more trees are harvested, erosion has begun to eat away the earth. The young teens, working with Interweave solutions devised a plan to combat deforestation: tree farms planted by the local famers. Tree farms are both profitable and sustainable, and with a micro loan from Interweave Solutions, farmers will be able to reclaim the deforested land while investing in their future. As loans are paid back, the money is redistributed to benefit more members of the community.
The project supports the environment and the community, tying together principles of self-sustainability and philanthropy. The sisters were able to kick-start their project with a $500 grant received from Youth Service America. That $500 will be used to provide 30 farmers in several communities with 100 Eucalyptus seedlings each. This funding empowers the farmers to become self-sufficient, enables them to create jobs for more members of the community, and create a retirement fund.
Many other micro business opportunities don't allow for a retirement fund, making this opportunity unique. As the trees reach peak market value in 10-20 years, they can be sold as telephone and construction poles, or firewood. The farmers can continue with their regular business as the trees grow, leaving 100% of the profits years later for savings, retirement, or as a fund to send their children and grandchildren to school. They will create a legacy for the children and grandchildren of the farmers: protecting the environment and maintaining self-reliant businesses.
Seeds of Sustainability hopes to raise $2000 and help hundreds of families invest in their futures and protect their ecosystem. With every donation more families and communities can become self-sufficient, more of the volatile soils of Uganda can be protected, and more trees can be planted! All money donated goes directly to buying eucalyptus seedlings. Those interested in donating can now donate at: learn more here.
Lynn Curis, Interweave Solutions, http://www.interweavesolutions.org/countries/seedlings-of-sustainability, +1 (435) 553-4773, [email protected]
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