2 Million Trees and Counting

This year, HOPE reached a monumental milestone: the distribution of 2,000,000 coconut seedlings to smallholder farmers across the Philippines. This achievement is more than just a number—it represents new beginnings for farming communities where 60% of smallholder farmers live below the poverty line.

Coconut seedlings are more than saplings—they’re seeds of hope. These trees promise a baseline income for farmers for decades. With 100 trees per hectare generating an additional ₱25,000 annually, the potential impact of 1 million trees over 50 years is staggering—₱12.5 billion directly improving the lives of farming families.

But the mission goes beyond livelihoods. The Philippines faces a coconut tree crisis, with 20% of the country’s trees classified as senile. This senility threatens not only the coconut industry, which supports up to 33% of the population, but also the farmers who rely on these trees to feed their families and send their children to school. By replacing aging trees, this program revitalizes an industry critical to the nation’s economy and well-being.

Coconut trees also offer a hidden superpower: carbon sequestration. Over their lifetime, the 2 million trees planted by HOPE have the potential to absorb 834,000 tons of carbon dioxide, contributing to the fight against climate change. In a nation on the frontlines of the climate crisis, this impact is both timely and essential.

Stories of Hope: Voices from the Farmers

For the farmers receiving these seedlings, the impact is personal and profound:

  • Cecilia Diamante, 71, Barangay Titulok, Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat Province
    “We are really thankful for these free seedlings. It has been our dream to plant coconut seedlings on our farm, but we can not afford to buy seedlings on our own.”
  • Marites Sucias, 48, Glan, Sarangani Province
    “I am so grateful for these coconut seedlings. Our old trees no longer bear enough fruit, and it has been in our prayers for a long time to replant these with new trees.”
  • Charles Bartolaba, 33, Glan, Sarangani Province
    “These seedlings are a great help for us. Many of our coconut trees have fallen, and the rest are already senile. This will restore our livelihood and support our children. Thank you so much!”

Planting More than Trees

This milestone is only the beginning. Every seedling planted grows into a tree that supports a family, secures a livelihood, and strengthens a community. The journey to 2 million trees is a testament to what’s possible when people unite for a common purpose.

With your continued support, HOPE is ready to do even more in 2025. Together, we can plant the seeds of a brighter, more sustainable future.

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