“For many this is the only interaction with Scripture,” he says. “I see the program as part of the new spiritual development, coinciding with the 75-year celebrations of our Cathedral in Antsirabe.”

One reason why the program is so welcome is the state of literacy in Madagascar: the official figure is 46 per cent, but functional illiteracy can actually be as high as 70 per cent.

“We have a problem with people losing their reading skills,” says Tsiry Razafamondzy, the Bible Society’s Program Director. “That is why our weekly television programme and radio programmes must continue. We not only share information concerning Bible Society work, we also share Scripture with our people.”

31 stations

The latter is shared in the form of a daily three-minute programme based on FCBH called Tenin ‘Andrriamanitra (‘God’s Word’) and aired on 13 radio stations, and the former in the shape of two different radio programmes, Raiso ka Vakio (‘Take and Read’) and Baiboly Mitondra Fandrosoana (‘Bible Brings Development’), which are broadcast on 31 different radio stations. The Society also produces a weekly TV programme.

“The reaction to these programmes is very good,” says Mrs Razafamondzy. But while many people own – or least have access to – a radio and television, they are too poor to buy a cassette player and batteries. In recognition of this, two new Scripture Listening Centres have recently opened, one in Antsirabe and another in Fianarantsoa.

Hanitra Raadavid, an FCBH promoter in Antsirabe, is particularly excited about the opportunities they provide.

Listening club

“People can now visit us, pay the equivalent of one blank cassette to join the listening club and listen to any of the material we are offering – the range is wide,” she says. “They are not allowed to take the cassettes home, but they are encouraged to listen at the centre and ask questions when necessary.”