Introduction / History
Mawa people have low self-esteem. They do not feel that they are able to do any type of development on their own. But after accomplishing a few community development projects with the aid of an expatriate missionary living among them, they now know that they can make a difference with a little help from outside. The people have formed a language and literacy, village library, and millet distribution associations. The Mawa people are very receptive to outsiders and are eager to receive help for the associations to function.

There are not many good sources of water in the Mawa area. People have moved away from the villages to find better supplies. The installation of a pump in Mahoua village helped alleviate the problem by providing clean water throughout the year. But it did not resolve the water problem completely. Other Mawa villages need clean water.

The construction of a school building gave the Mahoua population something to be proud of. It highlighted the importance of education for the children as well as literacy awareness for the adult population. Interest in the adult literacy program is high.

Most Mawa people are Muslims and mosques exist in many villages. AET in Bitkine made an evangelism campaign in the Mawa area about 20 years ago, but did not really follow up until a missionary came to the area. A local church is meeting.

The seed was sown. The seed needs water and care to grow and bear fruit. Mawa people do not know how to grow by themselves. How can they know things they have not seen or experienced? How can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? They are waiting to receive more help to develop physically and spiritually.