I am Father Donald ZAGORE from Côte d’Ivoire. I was ordained priest on the 11th July 2015 for the Society of African Missions (SMA).  I have been assigned to the parish of Our Lady of Peace of Affossala-Copé, precisely in the diocese of Sokodé, Togo Region. 

The population is mainly of the Kabiyé, people of the Northern part of Togo. The main activity in this area is agriculture. It is a parish of primary evangelization. It is only 10 years old. The parish has 25 substations and it is divided into 3 zones: Bago, Samaï and Affossal-Copé. The missionary activity in Affossala-Copé has two dimensions. There is in the first place, the pastoral dimension which consists of celebrating the sacraments, teaching catechesis, and visitation to the sick and the aged.

However, one of the major social and pastoral challenges is witchcraft. The village is marked with such a reputation and according to history, the first inhabitants of the village where chased away from Northern Togo because of witchcraft issues. Witchcraft remains to this village a serious pastoral reality that I have to face every day in my work.

The second dimension of my pastoral is social. The village of Affossala-Copé, is a subsistent farming area with farmers of almost no means. This village lacks almost everything. There is no credible school, no good health services, no good transport system and yes with poor road networks. Very often than not, the car of the parish is used as an ambulance to transport the sick. Clean drinking water and electricity remain part of the other problems of this area. Thanks for the initiatives of sinking some boreholes which are a great help for the people.

The Church plays an important role in the day-today activities of Affossala-Copé. Practically, everything seem to fall on the shoulders of the Fathers whom the locals often solicit for their financial and material needs. Despite all these challenges, I remain happy to be among my people, doing the best I can and leaving the rest to God who has called me for His mission. The people of Affossala-Copé remains an open and welcoming people. They do what they can to support the missionary work with love in their own limited way.

Donald ZAGORE, SMA