Christmas tidings of love, peace and goodwill fly from one home to another. In Mozambique, over the airwaves of Radio Nuru, Muslim-background Mwane people are sending each other similar messages in the kiMwane language. And in the sunshine and humidity there’s an added excitement of a Christmas sack!

Through an AIM/Feba partnership, Radio Nuru has been on the air for several months, and is busy growing friendships. As the first-ever community FM station dedicated to the kiMwane language, and strategically located to reach 90 per cent of the Mwane people, listeners are enjoying the run-up to Christmas (Natal or Dia de Familia). People are making the most of the occasion to send greetings to friends and family in the district through the programmes.

Celebrating Christ's birth
Radio Nuru is taking its first opportunity to explain Christmas and Christ’s birth. As part of the celebration, and adding to the anticipation, the station has been running a 15-day contest for listeners requesting messages for loved ones. Names are put into a ‘hat’ and three sacks of rice will be presented to a delighted and appreciative winner.

Humble but welcome
Paul and Karen Zimmerman, missionaries with AIM, acknowledge that this may seem a humble gift. But in northeastern Mozambique, rice sacks will represent love at Christmas for a listener and their family who have welcomed the community station into their lives.

Now well into its stride, Radio Nuru is producing appreciated programmes in the heart language. The programmes feature music and stories, as well as offering a community voice for a hard-to-reach people group. With a growing listening audience too – there’ll be a sackful of celebrations at Radio Nuru this Christmas!

Read more about Radio Nuru.