Yogo Village - Past & Present
Since the first missions trip to this village in 2008, many changes have been made. Below are some of the major before and after photos and details, knowing that there are many stories not written, but realized by the families in this community. Their stories are shared with you when you travel to this village and meet the beautiful and faithful people of Yogo.
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The Yogo Farm
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The Yogo YFT farm expanded from 4 acres in 2009 to 12 acres by 2014.
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Irrigation is in place for 8 acres with the remaining 4 acres requiring irrigation.
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Crop yields have increased considerably (10 fold in the first year).
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Better organic farming techniques using sugar cane compost and better seeds have been introduced.
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Food is being provided to the school and people in need.
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Cash crops are being sold at the local market leading to a sustainable farm.
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The addition of farm manager Elisha Otieno has greatly benefited the success of the farm, and sustainability of the community.
The Yogo community based organization (YCBO), gained international recognition of its farm program through the United Nations and hosted World Food Day at the farm.
The School
A primary school has now been completed! In 2008, the school opened with 30 children attending nursery school. The school has continued to grow by one class per year and currently includes classes up to Grade 8 (pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, included). All the children receive two meals a day from the YFT farmand safe drinking water.
The children are selected each year by the YCBO. One third of the children are sponsored, one third of the students' parents are employed and able to pay the tuition fees, and one third of the students' parents or caregivers work on the farm in exchange for their children’s tuition. This model ensures that the school and the farm support one another. Government testing of the children has found the students in the top 10 percentile of all schools in the area.
The continued expansion of the school is vital, given that it allows the students that began in 2008 to continue to receive quality education, and two meals per day (supported by the community farm). The school building has expanded to accommodate the student growth, thanks to support from a local Ministry (AMIC - Ambassadors Ministries in Covenant, Russell, ON, Canada), and other private donors giving through HFL.
The Church
As changes have taken place in the community, and the glory for these changes is given to God, hope and faith are growing and spreading throughout surrounding villages. From 25 people worshiping under a tree, to 250 people attending two services. In the nearby town of Siaya, a new church was planted and is already full each Sunday. Nine other churches have been started in the district by Pastor (now Bishop) Silas Owiti-Oduor.
Women's Bible studies, youth programs, and fellowship events are continuing to grow. Crusades to nearby villages and towns are bringing the Good News to many who have never heard it and people are being healed from various diseases, and experiencing the love of God. People are giving their lives to the Lord and are being baptized, as the Great Commission commands [Matthew 28:16-20].
The Community
The village of Yogo has been transformed. Since 2008, changes have taken place such as clean water, electricity, community farm, a growing school and church.
Because of the above changes, lives are being saved. The death rate, especially among children under five years old, has drastically decreased in this area.
Browse through the photos to the left and read about the changes in the community.