Church in Madagascar feeds hungry


Key points:

  • United Methodists plant seeds of hope in a remote village facing food challenges.
  • Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church preached and provided support in Faratanjona, located about 75 miles from Antananarivo.
  • “Our souls and bellies are full,” said recipient Dada Naivo. “We thank God for touching your hearts and sending you to provide food support.”


Members of the first United Methodist church in the island nation of Madagascar took their ministry on the road to help a community facing food challenges.

In Faratanjona, located about 75 miles from Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital, many of the village’s 1,500 residents lack basic commodities and the community doesn’t have infrastructure, including schools, clinics and roads.

Climate change and other natural factors have greatly reduced crop production in the regions, hindering planting, producing and harvesting.

Led by lay preacher Jean Aime Ratovohery, 12 adults and several youth from Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo visited the village for four days in November to conduct an outreach mission.

“The choice of this rural area was in response to their request to assist them with foodstuffs,” Ratovohery said. “The community faces drastic challenges.”

A boy smiles after receiving a plate full of food in Faratanjona village in Madagascar. Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo traveled to the remote area to deliver food and other support to the community. Photo by Esdras Rakotoarivony, UM News.
A boy smiles after receiving a plate full of food in Faratanjona village in Madagascar. Members of Ambodifasika United Methodist Church in Antananarivo traveled to the remote area to deliver food and other support to the community. Photo by Esdras Rakotoarivony, UM News.

A year ago, church members began sharing their faith with the people of Faratanjona.

“I was moved to hear the local population express their desire to hear the word of God for strength and renewed hope,” Ratovohery said.

To provide physical and spiritual nourishment, the recent outreach began with the youth singing praise songs, attracting a sizable audience. Ratovohery delivered a sermon.

“People, young and old, followed the chanting,” said Ranivoharisoa Hanitra, a youth leader from Ambodifasika United Methodist.

Youth member Raharimalala Henintsoa said the mission was two-fold.

 “We, the youth, have come not only to share the word of God with this community, but (also) to provide much-needed food aid,” Henintsoa said.

Jean Aime Ratovohery helps distribute a treat to the people of Faratanjona, a remote village in Madagascar. Ratovohery, lay preacher at Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, and members of his congregation visited the village to deliver food and share the gospel. Photo by Esdras Rakotoarivony, UM News.
Jean Aime Ratovohery helps distribute a treat to the people of Faratanjona, a remote village in Madagascar. Ratovohery, lay preacher at Ambodifasika United Methodist Church, and members of his congregation visited the village to deliver food and share the gospel. Photo by Esdras Rakotoarivony, UM News.

The support, financed by the local United Methodist church, was well-received.

“We are very happy and grateful to the Madagascar UMC,” said Dada Naivo, who received foodstuffs. “No one has ever done something so important for us in this place. Our souls and bellies are full, and we thank God for touching your hearts and sending you to provide food support.”

Subscribe to our
e-newsletter

Like what you're reading and want to see more? Sign up for our free daily and weekly digests of important news and events in the life of The United Methodist Church.

Keep me informed!

In the absence of schools or open spaces for communal meals in this rural area, families set up a makeshift dining area near the preaching site.

Following the food distribution, the deputy chief of Faratanjona spoke on behalf of the residents, expressing profound appreciation and a desire for continued support.

“We are grateful to the UMC for the aid and for facilitating this evangelization moment,” he said.

Ambodifasika youth Justin Rakotoarimanana emphasized the church’s important role in such initiatives and settings.

“Despite the challenging journey to reach Faratanjona,” he said, “the youths’ action was a success. We felt the joy and warmth of the people who received both aid and the word of God, and this touched our hearts.”

Rakotoarivony is a communicator for the Madagascar Mission Field of The United Methodist Church.   

News media contact: Julie Dwyer, news editor, newsdesk@umcom.org or 615-742-5469. To read more United Methodist news subscribe to free Daily or Weekly Digests.

Children in Faratanjona sit on a tarp before partaking in a meal provided by Ambodifasika United Methodist Church. Members of the Antananarivo church traveled to the remote village to deliver food and share the gospel. In the absence of schools or open spaces for communal meals in this rural area, families set up a makeshift dining area near the preaching site. Photo by Esdras Rakotoarivony, UM News.
Children in Faratanjona sit on a tarp before partaking in a meal provided by Ambodifasika United Methodist Church. Members of the Antananarivo church traveled to the remote village to deliver food and share the gospel. In the absence of schools or open spaces for communal meals in this rural area, families set up a makeshift dining area near the preaching site. Photo by Esdras Rakotoarivony, UM News.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Disaster Relief
Emma Asores (right) and Romuel “Dojoe” Flores walk among idled fishing boats in the Mozon II neighborhood in Rosario, Philippines. Typhoon Carina caused three oil tankers to sink in July, prompting the government to ban fishing in villages around Manila Bay. The United Methodist Church distributed rice to affected families in Tanza and Rosario in Cavite Province. Asores heads the women’s organization in Mozon II and Flores is a consultant with the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response unit. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Filipino United Methodists help fishing communities

After a typhoon and oil spill, church leaders joined with UMCOR and the local disaster response office to distribute rice and help combat climate change in coastal areas.
Theology and Education
Student Tanaka Chamburuka is surrounded by proud teachers and family after winning the top academic prize for his grade level at Seke 1 High School in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. From left are teacher Brenda Chawanji; Sarudzai Chamburuka, Tanaka’s mother; Tanaka; and teacher Rita Gondo. The United Methodist Church in the Chitungwiza Marondera District provided prizes for top students in memory of church member Esnath Ginnah Kadenge, a longtime English teacher at the school. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Teacher’s legacy creates church, school partnership

United Methodists help Zimbabwe school revive awards ceremony with gifts donated in memory of former teacher and church member.
Global Health
Pierre Kenga (not pictured) traveled more than 80 kilometers from the village of Dikwadjondo in Sankuru province to the United Methodist-affiliated Tunda General Hospital in Tunda, Congo, with his wife (seated) and his sister (lying down). The hospital is attracting more patients from distant regions. Photo by Chadrack Tambwe Londe, UM News.

Hospital provides beacon of hope in Eastern Congo

Thanks to new buildings and equipment, Tunda General Hospital attracts patients from far and wide, bringing care to a remote region.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2024 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved