How generous donors are transforming the lives of one of the world’s poorest nations.  

Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest nations, with over 50% of its 32 million people living below the poverty line. 

That’s why Bible Society Australia is supporting Mission Educate’s Bible-based literacy program, Literacy for Life. With help from generous Australians, the program reaches poor city areas and rural communities with basic literacy, numeracy, and life skills. 

How Literacy for Life transforms lives 

The people of Mozambique have faced years of harsh colonial rule. Although largely a Christian nation, understanding the Bible is difficult due to around 40% of adults (ages 15 and above) being non-literate (Macrotrends Mozambique Literacy Rate 2020). 

This can lead to misinterpretation of the meaning and intention behind God’s word. 

The cycle of poverty and missed education is tough to break. Many children have to work instead of going to school, which keeps them poor and leads to low self-esteem. 

Mission Educate’s ‘Literacy for Life’ program started in Beira and aims to reach all 10 provinces in Mozambique. The program is currently expanding into Sofala, Inhambane, and Nampula. The program teaches adults and young people to read basic signs, documents, and Scriptures.  

Held in local communities, classes focus on 2 key areas: 

1. Reading, numeracy, and life skills – including nutrition, cooking, and gardening. 

1. Agricultural skills – aimed at improving the quality and profitability of crops. 

A team of four full-time staff and 19 facilitators are running 19 groups in three provinces this year. 

This directly helps 546 participants and reaches about 2,750 family and community members.  

The goals are to achieve Grade 6 literacy, shown by exams and increased confidence.  

Graduates report they: 

• Understand the Bible better

• Understand their role in God’s Kingdom 

• Use their new knowledge and skills to improve their daily lives. 

Break the cycle

Real life transformations 

Stories worth praising God for have been shared by the team on the ground in Mozambique.  

At 32 years of age, Heba* couldn’t write or form syllables. That changed when she joined the program. The mother of three told of the difference it made in her life. 

“This project has given us hope,” she said. “Now, I can help my children with their homework. We also learned [about] chicken farming, improving our food security and income.” 

Nasma* is 45, widowed and a mother to seven children. Here’s what she told the team. 

“This project has changed my life, giving me hope for a better future,” she reflected.

“I never had the chance to study. Now, I can read and write. Our class has also started a small chicken-raising business.” 

Paulo says helping facilitate the project in Beira feels like a “dream come true”. 

“Seeing adults learn to read their Bibles and develop agricultural skills is incredibly rewarding,” Paulo said. “This project is transforming lives and strengthening communities.”  

Help break the cycle of poverty today 

Through prayer and generosity, you can help break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty in Mozambique. 

Please join us in praying for:  

• The students and their families – to learn to read and love God’s word, especially the new groups. 

• Women and girls – whose attendance may be discouraged or prevented by male authority figures. 

• The safety and health of literacy facilitators – who walk long distances to lead their groups. 

• Pastor Jose, the Literacy for Life Project Coordinator – to be strengthened and encouraged in his leadership. 

Every step we take lights a path to a brighter, more hopeful future for countless lives.  

Please join us in sowing seeds of hope and transformation today. 

Donate today

*Names changed to protect privacy.