Rural Education from Nigeria to Japan

Adetunji David Ajala is a student of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Japan. He has been able to attend as a representative of the Methodist Church Nigeria with support from the World Mission Fund.  To contribute to this and other similar work, please donate to the World Mission Fund here.

Participants are introduced to a wide array of new information and ideas during their training at ARI. Important leadership topics such as Servant Leadership, various leadership skills (Active Listening, Non-violent Communication, Appreciative Inquiry, and Conflict Management), and Facilitation Skills are first presented in the classroom and then reinforced through activities and reflection. ARI also provides classes on important global issues, such as Environment and Development, Localization, Marketing, and Climate Change.

Participants are exposed to sustainable methods of livestock, crop, vegetable and poultry production.  Adetunji David comments, 

'I am presently in the poultry section of the livestock for the second semester of the training where I work with another team of participants and volunteers from India , Indonesia, Germany, Vietnam, Ethiopia, with cross-culture learning among the participants. In the poultry section, I am exposed to poultry house construction, feed compounding, bio-security measures, egg laying performance, and other local resources for other feed production. More so, during the weekend assignment, I got myself involved in pig management activities and had a special experience with artificial insemination.'

Sustainable agriculture and organic farming techniques that participants engage in everyday are given a theoretical context in ARI’s classroom. Participants’ favourite classes this year include: Masanobu Sakurai’s “Dangers of Chemical Farming”, Osamu Arakawa’s “organic farming”, and Shimpei Murakami’s “Natural Farming in Tropic Areas”. In turn, these classes are supported by practical field studies where participants practice making Bokashi (fermented organic fertilizer), compost, fermented plant juice, rice husk charcoal and fermented feed.

The institute is keenly involved in sharing in peace and sustainability across cultures, as Adetunji David says, 'I have not stopped to explore various opportunities for learning to ensure the essence of my coming to Asian Rural Institute is achieved to the best of my ability. I will appreciate your support and commitment to ensuring the sustainable and transformed lives of community members.'

Read full reports with pictures here and here.

We give thanks for Adetunji David, pray for his study and sharing when he returns to Nigeria and for the work of the Asian Rural Institute. #RuralHope