Scripture enables people to escape darkness in Niger

Coronavirus, terrorism and the worst flooding for a generation – life hasn’t been easy in Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, in 2020. But despite the country's multiple challenges, a Bible Society literacy project is flourishing.

In rural areas in Niger, the literacy rate is as low as 10 per cent, meaning access to the word of God is difficult even for believers. The goal of the literacy programme is to enable a total of about 4,000 people to read the Bible so that they can grow in faith and then help others do the same, strengthening the Church in this overwhelmingly Muslim nation.

When coronavirus restrictions were imposed and schools and other buildings were shut down, teachers instead took their classes to their students, visiting them three times every week. Very conscious of the dangers posed by the virus, they held these impromptu classes in well-ventilated sheds or even just under a tree, while socially distancing.

Terrorist threat

In the unstable Tillabéry region, students who had already taken the Bible Society literacy course, put their energy into teaching members of their own families at home. In this area, holding large meetings is also difficult because of the threat of jihadists, who burned down a classroom at the start of the year.

‘In our humble opinion the traumas caused by the jihadists and the coronavirus are the basis of this learning success because all families want to learn to read the word of God before the trumpet sounds. That’s some silver lining to the challenges we face,’ said a Bible Society team member in Niger.

From jail to church: Moussa’s story

A life that has been dramatically transformed as a result of the programme is that of Moussa. He was in custody at a remand centre in the city of Maradi, when he was given a Bible in the regional Hausa language. When his wife visited him he gave her his Bible and urged her to go to a church and learn about Christ. Two months later, Moussa received a presidential pardon and was released. Now Moussa and his wife attend church together. Moussa now knows how to read, write and to make measurements, which is helping him in his fledgling carpentry trade. His efforts were rewarded when he recently got a contract to manufacture 50 carts.

If it wasn’t for the generosity of people like you this literacy project would not have been possible and Moussa and his wife, and many others like them, would still be struggling in the dark without the light of the Scriptures to guide them.

Helping flood victims

Your kind giving through our Niger appeal is ensuring that precious work like this literacy project continues in Niger, where they’re currently experiencing the worst flooding for a generation.

Our current Niger appeal is providing crucial support to many of the 300,000 people who have been displaced by the flooding and who right now require urgent assistance.

In late August, torrential rain began falling. The Niger River burst its banks, mud-brick homes collapsed, vast tracts of fields full of rice and wheat were destroyed, livestock was washed away and most of the capital of Niamey was shut down. ‘The impact is enormous and horrific,’ said Hama, who leads Bible Society work in Niger. ‘Communities scattered without knowing where to go. There were injuries and snake bites, and people collapsing from hunger.’

Please pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Niger and also for the long-term success of the literacy project. If you would like to read the prayers of others or share your own prayer please visit our Africa Prayer Tree.

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