Shortage of local language Bibles
in Cameroon’s largest city
 

Cameroon reports and photographs by freelance photojournalist Geoffrey Stamp

DOUALA, Cameroon — “We are desperate for Bibles and New Testaments in Bassa, Bulu, Douala, Beti Bamun and other local languages. Every day somebody comes into the shop asking for these Scriptures.”
This was the plea of the Rev Samuel Mahop who runs one of Douala’s Christian bookshops.

Although the Scripture shortage in Douala is problematic, it does point to something more positive – an ongoing demand for God’s Word.

“Some people come into the shop every week asking for a certain Bible and they get tired of waiting and complain,” he added. “We need a regular supply of local-language Scriptures.”

Mr Mahop’s son, Samuel Claude Mahop, is the Bible Society of Cameroon’s (BSC) Distribution Officer for Douala, and he does his best to keep the Christian bookshops stocked with Scriptures. But this is a difficult task, according to Mr Roger Bombang, BSC Public Relations and Fundraising Officer.

“The problem goes back to people’s reluctance to place firm orders for the following year when we are drawing up our budget,” he explained. “And it is difficult to justify an increase in budget without the orders to back up the figures.”

With local-language Scriptures it is particularly difficult – print runs tend to be small and bookshops and churches prefer to order conservatively rather than risk over-ordering.

Mr Mahop (Junior) believes that the new Douala Bible depot, soon to be built with funds from Opportunity 21 (see following story), will help alleviate the problem.

“Information, communication and trust all need to be developed between the distribution outlets, the churches and the Bible Society,” he said. “We hope that the new facility here in Douala will help to develop these principles.”

Vigorous

Although the Scripture shortage in Douala is problematic, it does point to something more positive – an ongoing demand for God’s Word. In fact, distribution of Bible Society Scriptures by the Christian bookshops is quite vigorous.

The Baba Simon bookshop, a Roman Catholic facility run by Father Yannik Clabaut, sells about 3,500 Bibles and 2,000 New Testaments every year.
“I am grateful for the relationship we have developed with the Bible Society,” said Fr Clabaut. “The Baba Simon bookshop is now the supply centre for a large area. We even stopped stocking some other items in order to be able to offer a broader range of Scriptures, especially Bibles.”

Many of the shop’s Scriptures are bought by students at the Foculari Bible College – just one of the many facilities in the Foculari Community Centre, where the bookshop is based. The Foculari movement, which began in Italy during the Second World War, emphasises the importance of reading God’s Word and acting upon it as soon as possible. (WR 367/9 - 3.02) [PHOTOS]