India, Nagaland - Zacivolü R. Dozo (Acivo) & Shothayi Dozo (Dozo) - 2000 & 2020 Graduates
by Zacivolü R. Dozo & Shothayi Dozo
Chakhesang Mission Society & Grace Home Khutsokuno
page developed by Ann Collet, ARI Graduate Outreach Volunteer
submitted May 2024
Sharing ARI teachings in Assam, Dhakuakhana Village
https://gyazo.com/4f4c1f805be5d7c26e869c6057b429e7
Dhakuakhana village community
In February 2024, Zacivolü R. Dozo (Acivo) and Shothayi Dozo (Dozo), an ARI Graduate couple living in Nagaland, volunteered in Dhakuakhana village in Assam, India. Their mission in Dhakuakhana was supported by 2010 ARI Graduate Muzipolü Nyeka (Zipo).
Dhakuakhana was one of the most affected places by the terrible flood of the Brahmaputra flood that happened more than 20 years ago. The local farmers are still trying to recover the fertility of the soil, but their only option is to use chemicals, which affect their health as well as family economy. Zipo took me to see the region last October and that was how Dozo and I decided to volunteer there for a month.
https://gyazo.com/8634815176fe39eaea83454af44be714
The campus where we stayed
Report on Successful Activities
We left Dimapur on January 30th and reached the training place the next day. For one month, we worked together with evangelists, pastors, and the Dhakuakhana Mising Baptist Association (DMBA).
When we started the training program, it was very difficult for them to understand how they could do farming without chemical fertilizers. But I think our approach helped them develop a trusting relationship with us, as we didn't force our way on them. That's how their participation became sincere, too. The participants learned about IMO, Bokashi, square box compost, how to make rice husk charcoal for Bokashi, and wood vinegar. The training activities were successful both during the training and in practice at home. We also taught how to make Water Soluble Calcium (WCA), for which they still need to collect materials. The field trip activity was a successful and a very effective one!
The participants took great interest in learning about rice, especially paddy seed selection using a salt solution. By now, some of them have already planted their first batch of rice. The second transplanting season will start in June, but it depends on the rain. We have scheduled another trip to this village in July so that we will not miss the peak of rice transplanting.
https://gyazo.com/fd3f2155456db43d3cdb1d3382b363e7
Rice paddy planted by mission participants
Domestic animals, especially cows, pigs and chickens are their wealth, so they requested a livestock feed class. We will help them learn about feed making with locally available resources. The last class in our training program was on leadership. We had a blessed time. God opened a way for us to preach in Aunibari Church and Chekone Church respectively.
Follow-up and the needs we observed:
1. We created a WhatsApp group as DMBA Group so we could communicate with each other while there. We decided to keep this group for this year and continue to update one another with whatever we do in our own place. For us, this group is also to monitor their activities and answer their questions anytime they need.
2. We see the need to visit their place one more time during their rice transplanting season.
3. We will continue to observe and guide their gardening activities for healthy food and for income generation purposes in a sustainable way.
4. We observed that they need to study and learn about the Baptist Church Administration, such as evangelism, giving/tithing, and worship.
5. A missionary to stay in the center is a must.
Reactions from the Community
A pastor, despite having very good land around his house, was not growing anything for income generation. We designed the kitchen garden together with him and introduced crop rotation as well. The pastor asked if the microorganisms could harm our body like Coronavirus or if this "Japanese technique" could harm the human body in some way. We explained to them that it would not. When we mentioned about getting better health by using the organic fertilizer, Bokashi, to grow healthy food, again, their concern was if it could contaminate underground water.
https://gyazo.com/fb8c9343418286b75149408b5decfd96 https://gyazo.com/65506afc3fd54dccb559952e1fedabbd https://gyazo.com/e0bbac3c39e159107bb2874ad3e40b48
Mini demo garden before / Mini demo garden after / Vegetable products
As ARI graduates (I and my husband), this was our first time getting those types of questions, so we were very surprised. But we were happy that we could show them in action! Now, the pastor has already harvested some vegetables and sold them. Most importantly, his family has enough vegetables for their daily use at home. They are all enjoying the first results from the garden.
On their final report day, the villagers reflected on their learning
1. We can build better relationships with our neighbors and other villagers and share the Word of God to non-believers through these farming activities.
2. In the past, despite having space, we didn't know how to grow vegetables well. From now, we can maintain kitchen gardens and grow organic vegetables for our good health and also save money as there is no need to buy vegetables at the market.
3. Now we know garbage management to improve sanitation.
May God's name be glorified in everything that we could accomplish during our short stay with the believers in Dhakuakhana!
---