Written by: FEBA Radio SA
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Mussa Bamusi’s life was once consumed by darkness. A series of poor choices led him to a life of armed robbery, which ultimately landed him in prison for ten years. He was angry at himself and resented the world for making him desperate enough to commit crimes. “I felt trapped in a cycle of despair, and I knew I needed to change, but I didn’t know how,” he said later. One day, while listening to the radio in his cell, he found one of FEBA Mozambique’s stations. At first, he only listened out of boredom, but gradually, the messages of hope, love, and redemption began to change something inside of him. “I began to understand that my past did not have to define my future … As I continued to listen to FEBA Mozambique, I found myself filled with a desire to change.” Mussa participated in rehabilitation and personal development programmes, read books, and attended workshops. When he was released from prison, he had indeed changed. Today, he dedicates his life to helping at-risk youth, and credits FEBA Mozambique for planting the seed of change. “Their broadcasts not only changed my life, but also ignited a flame of hope within me that continues to burn brightly.”
A nation in need
Desperation is no stranger in Mozambique. The north has been plagued by conflict between jihadists and the Mozambican military since 2017. Villagers are frequently forced to evacuate, only to return and find that their homes have been pillaged. Thousands of people in the country’s northern provinces were furthermore affected by tropical cyclone Chido in December 2024. Poverty has grown to extremes since 2014. Bright Sonjera, director of FEBA Mozambique, says the hunger is the worst. “People don’t have food and some die because of it.” This poverty has created a widespread desperation that occasionally turns violent, as seen in the riots that rocked the country after the elections. It also contributes to Mozambique’s high rate of child marriages, with UNICEF reporting that 48,4% of women aged 20 to 24 were married before the age of 18. This country, with its 35 million people and over 40 languages spoken, is desperate for the Gospel.
A voice of hope
Ten years ago, there was no FEBA radio station in Mozambique. Today, there are seven. FEBA Mozambique has 93 full-time staff and thousands of volunteers who broadcast the Good News and reach out to an array of people groups in 20 distinct languages. In the northernmost Niassa province, historically one of the poorest provinces, Radio FOT (Fountain of Truth) and Radio Chiuanjota each share the Gospel in five languages. One listener told FEBA, “I was about to commit suicide, but after listening to your programme, I changed my mind. I started listening to your station every day and am now born again.” Radio Chiuanjota identified a need among the young people in their area, who were increasingly joining gangs to escape poverty. The team developed a youth discipleship programme that discusses the issues teenagers might face – drugs, teenage pregnancy, and gangsterism – from a Christian perspective.
Voice of Hope
In May 2024, FEBA’s team were forced to hide in the maize fields surrounding their town when violence erupted between jihadists and the military. When the team returned home, many of their belongings had been stolen. The jihadist insurgency in the north has a devastating effect on lives throughout the country. A listener in Sofala province told FEBA, “My husband was a soldier in the army. He died in Cabo Delgado during a jihadist attack. Voice of Hope has truly been a lifeline for me during difficult times. The messages of faith, hope, and love that this station broadcasts have helped me find solace and strength when I need it most … I’m forever grateful to Voice of Hope for being my guide and companion in the darkest moments of my life.” Voice of Hope also reaches nomadic peoples, refugees, and even listeners from Zimbabwe, which is only about 150 km away.
A great focus
There is a great focus on social development work. When Radio FOT received a piece of land from the government as reward for their work in facilitating communication with rural communities, the team launched an agricultural project to empower the growing number of widows in the area. The project currently employs 25 women who run the entire agricultural process, from planting to harvesting. Each harvest supplies a few hundred bags of maize and beans to widows and orphans in the area.
A new beacon
The ministry keeps growing. FEBA Mozambique just opened its seventh station, Victory FM, in Cuamba. The town plays a prominent role in travel between Mozambique and Malawi. “There are many tribes here and lots of Muslims…” says director Sonjera. Radio FOT’s discipleship programme caught people’s attention. “They became interested in Jesus and listened to Radio FOT, but due to the distance, the signal was poor, so they asked me if we could build a station in Cuamba to save lost souls for Christ.” The people were so serious in their request that they even made the bricks themselves to build the station. The name, Victory FM, was chosen in response to the many souls won through the discipleship programme. Victory FM will broadcast in eight languages and offer a wide range of faith-building content.
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If you would like to make a donation towards this life-changing project, please visit our website febaradio.co.za or call 012 335 5708
This article is featured in the May issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 08/05/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
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