Work

 

Rev. Edo Agbodo has been a pastor in the Methodist Church of Togo since 1999 and a member since 1986. He was raised on a farm and continued to farm through his school years. Rev. Agbodo was one of the instrumental people in initiating the “Togo Methodist Church’s Program of Countryside Development” in which the church developed an agro-pastoral farm growing maize, beans, soya, tomatoes, onions and more. They also raise ducks, chickens, and fish and provide training in the manufacture soap, hair ointment and antiseptic powder. One of Rev. Agbodo current projects is “communal health for the well-being of the mother and the child.” He provides training in good health practices such as sanitation, nutrition, and prevention of malaria.

After ARI, Rev. Agbodo will be responsible for the Methodist Church of Togo’s agro-pastoral farm. He will oversee operational management of all activities at the center. In addition, the church has available land which they want to put to use to give the rural young people opportunities to learn self-sufficiency through agriculture – a program to be developed by Rev. Agbodo.

 

Sending Organization

 

The Methodist Church of Togo was established in 1843. Working throughout Togo, the church’s purpose is evangelism and to fight against poverty through education, agriculture, health, formation of village level self help groups, legal aid, and income generation. Emphasis is given to training women and creating associations and cooperatives. One of the projects the Methodist Church of Togo implemented is the Integrated Program for Health. This includes building a health center, teaching about water-borne illnesses, infectious illnesses, family planning and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, and the distribution and use of mosquito nets. Additionally they provide training for women to improve the productivity of their lands. The strategy of the project is to emphasize ‘involvement and partnership’ of the beneficiaries at all stages of the project.