- As Agros is embarking on a new initiative to deepen its impact by fostering resilience and resourcefulness among the families it serves.
Understanding the Challenge
Despite the significant economic uplift facilitated by Agros’ holistic model, challenges remain. Families often face psychological and spiritual hurdles that impede their journey toward prosperity. Extreme poverty can trap families in cycles of trauma, hopelessness, and vulnerability, affecting their ability to seize economic opportunities. This reality is compounded by varying levels of engagement and success within the Agros model, with some families struggling to adapt to entrepreneurial challenges and new agricultural practices.
The Power of Resilience and Resourcefulness
Agros recognizes that true transformation requires more than economic and social interventions. The organization has identified two transformational milestones: resilience and resourcefulness. Resilience, in the Agros context, is rooted in economic well-being and the belief in having permanently escaped extreme poverty. It equips families to face adversity without reverting to previous vulnerabilities. Resourcefulness, on the other hand, is an acquired skill that enables families to leverage their knowledge, skills, and assets to identify opportunities and pursue a positive future. These two attributes are intertwined, mutually reinforcing, and essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term prosperity.
Integrating Resourcefulness into Agros’ Theory of Change
Agros is shifting its paradigm to incorporate resourcefulness as a measurable dimension of success within its Theory of Change (TOC). This shift acknowledges the importance of resilience, adaptability, and creative problem-solving in achieving transformative change. By investing in the psycho-spiritual dimensions of transformation, Agros aims to empower its partners to navigate adversity and capitalize on opportunities. Positive psychology and spiritual development are key mechanisms to animate behavioral change, emphasizing strengths, virtues, hope and faith as catalysts for personal growth and well-being.
Next Steps
The Resourcefulness Project represents a bold step forward in Agros’ mission to achieve enduring prosperity for rural families. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
By designing and implementing programmatic interventions that foster resilience and resourcefulness, Agros aims to strengthen self-efficacy and self-determination among its partners so that they can reach their God-given potential and destiny. The next phase involves convening an interdisciplinary team of experts to define the resourcefulness model, refine objectives, and design interventions. This collaborative effort will culminate in a pilot program that integrates these new dimensions into Agros’ holistic approach.
Join Agros International in this transformative journey. By supporting the Resourcefulness Project, you can play a vital role in empowering rural families to break free from poverty, embrace opportunities, and achieve lasting prosperity. Together, we can create a future where resilience and resourcefulness are the cornerstones of a thriving community.
“Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.”¹
Ken Kierstead
Agros Executive Vice President
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
¹ Elisabeth Elliot. A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1975.