The awakening of Vavati Village
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Vavati Village
In the calm part of southern Togo, there’s a beautiful village called Vavati. It’s surrounded by rolling fields and lush green trees. The people who live there, called the Ewe people, live peacefully with nature. There’s a big, old tree in the middle of the village that has seen many years go by. People gather under its shade to spend time together and share stories from the past. It’s a special place where the community comes together to celebrate their traditions and tales.
The buildings in Vavati show how clever the people who live there are. They have houses made of mud and bricks called Agniho, which add a nice touch to the area. These houses are built from the ground they stand on, showing how resourceful the Ewe people are.
Made of mud and straw, they keep people cool in the hot weather. Inside, they’re calm and dimly lit, making them peaceful places. Surrounded by mud walls, each house is like its own little world where life happens – kids play, meals are made, and stories are told. The walls are decorated with colorful paintings showing the ups and downs of everyday life.
The heart of Vavati beats through its farming efforts. Large fields of corn and cassava spread out across the land like green carpets, providing food for the village. Both men and women work hard, using their rough hands to support their families and the community. Besides farming, making pottery is also important to the people. It’s a skill passed down through generations, mostly by women. These clay pots aren’t just practical items; they represent the essence of Vavati’s identity.
Religion is a big part of life in Vavati, especially Voodoo. The village has respected Voodoo priests and priestesses, like Tassi, who are highly honored. They connect the physical world with the supernatural realm. Voodoo isn’t just a belief; it is woven into the villagers’ everyday routines, affecting their traditions, ceremonies, and how they see the
world.
Despite appearing peaceful on the surface, the people of Vavati dealt with disastrous health problems. Rotten heaps of garbage were strewn across the village. Animals, like pigs, wandered freely. Villagers didn’t have access to proper toilets, which put everyone’s health at risk. The unsafe living conditions were reflected in the illnesses that affected villagers, especially the young ones. Skin infections and dental problems were ubiquitous, reminding everyone of the village’s struggles.
Despite facing these challenges, the Vavati people were wary of outside help, fearing it might disrupt the village’s spiritual balance. However, twenty years ago, things changed with the arrival of the Medical Ambassadors International (MAI) Community Health Evangelism (CHE) team.
Led by Daniel Kapowbie, who had just returned from a life-changing trip to the Philippines, the MAI team decided to help Vavati. It was a new direction for the village, one they hadn’t explored before. When the MAI team first entered Vavati, people were both curious and suspicious. As they walked through the village’s winding streets, villagers looked at them with interest and asked questions cautiously. Aware of the delicate situation, the MAI team tried to calm any fears by showing they were there to learn and understand.
Their journey had challenges. The village chief, who valued tradition and was skeptical of outsiders, greeted them cautiously. He warned about the village’s resistance to change, especially when it came to different beliefs.
But the MAI team didn’t give up.
They worked to connect with the community, organizing events to share information, provide support, and encourage collaboration. They started training volunteers to facilitate CHE.
One of MAI’s biggest challenges was Tassi, a respected figure in the village who strongly believed in Voodoo. As a practitioner of Voodoo, Tassi opposed the Gospel vehemently. Her signature statement was, “I will never become a Christian.”
One day, three years later, that same Tassi, who swore she would never become a Christian, stood up and said.
“I want to receive Christ’s Spirit.”
“What happened?” they asked. She was very calm and said, “I have been watching you, and today I’ve come to realize you have something I want. I want your joy. I want your peace. I want your love. I watch the way you handle us in this village. If somebody didn’t have something special, they would never be here like you are.”
That day she gave her life to Jesus; and today Tassi is very strong in her faith. Tassi has transformed!
Area Coordinator for French-speaking West Africa, Daniel Kpowbie, and Tassi
Tassi’s decision to follow Jesus had a big impact on the village. It caused a change in how people thought about things spiritually. Doubts turned into questions, and people who didn’t get along started to understand each other better. They all wanted to focus on being healthy in every way. The small group of people who used to meet under the old village tree in support of voodooism now met under different circumstances.
They gathered as new Christians, forming a community of faith. They were brought together by their love for each other and their shared beliefs.
As the CHE program gained momentum, changes in Vavati became noticeable. The trash pile that plagued the village disappeared, showing that people were taking more pride in keeping their community clean. Livestock, which were once neglected, were now being cared for properly. The sicknesses that afflicted the village had begun to disappear, thanks to better sanitation.
This transformation happened because people started to open up to new ideas, especially about God. Tassi, who used to strongly believe in Voodoo, had to decide between sticking to old traditions or exploring a new faith. She had chosen to embrace Christianity, and her decision inspired others in the village to reconsider their beliefs.
Over the years, the effects of the CHE program continued to be felt in Vavati. The village became more prosperous and self-sufficient, relying less on outside help. The fields were better for farming, the houses were cleaner, and the people were healthier and stronger.
Tassi’s journey showed how faith and determination can bring about positive change, bringing unity and spiritual fulfillment to the village.
Looking back on their twenty years working in Vavati, the MAI team now sees a completely different place. The problems the community once faced were replaced by stories of gathering together, worshipping, and finding peace.
The CHE program wasn’t just a quick fix; it sparked a lasting transformation, leaving behind a legacy of hope and resilience for future generations.
Today, with micro-enterprises growing and abundant clean water, the Vavati people are a testament to the power of MAI’s engagement, the strength of community effort blessed by the Holy Spirit, resulting in people caring for one another.
A large majority of Vavati’s residents are Christ followers, and worship in their local church which they themselves constructed. The people of the Vavati are now actively reaching out to other villages near them.
MAI is blessed to have CHE facilitators/volunteers like Tassi all across the world, who work selflessly to partner with God in sharing the Good News of the gospel through word and deed and encourage the communities to allow the love of Jesus to transform their lives. Your gift will help a woman just like Tassi.
MAI has been thoroughly vetted by third party philanthropic counsel Calvin Edwards and Company to be selected for the sixth year in a row to receive the Top 10 ministries with a highest return on investment for the Kingdom of God.
It costs only $0.93 cents to help a woman like Tassi. Your gift of $0.93 today will bring education, healthcare, a job, and God’s love to someone in great need.
When you send in a gift of any amount, we will send you a booklet that shares more of Tassi’s story and photos from her village.
More About CHE
Proven Results of CHE
In CHE Communities, there’s a marked improvement in health, reduced infant mortality, increased agricultural productivity, and job creation. Infrastructure such as water systems, roads, schools, and clinics are constructed, and churches are established. Individuals rediscover their intrinsic worth as beings made in the image of God and their responsibility as stewards of the environment.
Rather than being controlled by their surroundings, they take ownership of them. They’re empowered to identify needs, utilize resources, devise plans, and mobilize volunteers to fulfill their aspirations. Continuous reflection enhances effectiveness, while believers gather for fellowship, prayer, Bible study, and worship, sharing the message of Christ through both words and actions. Each of our target villages comprises approximately 1,000 individuals on average.