“Reaching as many as we can with God’s Word and bringing them to faith in Christ Jesus”
The vision endures, 12 years after the first otLIVE instructors were trained in Malawi. By God’s grace, and the faithful work of the instructors, there has been much fruit. otLIVE is now taught in 81 schools in Malawi, reaching 15 291 children in this year alone. We are grateful for each child who has received God’s Word, for the lives that have been impacted and the positive choices the children have made as they face life’s challenges.
The otLIVE lessons are taught on a weekly basis in Standards 5 and 6 during a normal school day, with a team of instructors comprising 5 full-time presenters and 12 volunteers. A significant highlight was the introduction of otLIVE at 24 new schools during the last school year.
otLIVE has also been introduced in some churches.
Pastor Joshua Kalolo of Zambezi Evangelical Church reports:
“otLIVE has also had a big impact on the people in our church who never learned to read. In our church, almost 50% of our women did not go to school, and some of them can’t read the Bible on their own, but with otLIVE, they are able to know the Bible using the hand signs.”
Hear from some of the learners at the schools where otLIVE is taught
Chimwemwe from M’thawaluba Primary School:
“otLIVE has helped me see reasons for staying in school and working hard in class. My life changed ever since I started attending the otLIVE lessons at my school. At first, I used to run away from classes and was also stealing, but now I have stopped because my conscience won’t let me. I also used to not respect my teachers and my parents. But my parents noticed some changes in my behaviour and the way I do things now. I told them that I learnt in otLIVE that the Bible teaches to respect your parents. Both my parents and teachers are happy for me.”
Jazere from Makande school:
“I am coming from the home where my mother goes to a Pentecostal church, but my father and I used to practice Gulewamkulu**.
otLIVE helped me to know God and His mighty power and now I go to Church with my mother. I really like the story of Creation that I was made in God’s image.
** traditional cultural religion
Yasimin (from a family of another faith)
“Because of otLIVE, I have learnt some Bible stories. I like the story of Ruth. I like how she cared for Naomi, her mother-in-law, after her husband’s death. In this story, I learned how to be kind to others.
Feedback from the teachers
Fydon Masakatira, a primary education adviser for Thavite zone:
“The average pass rate in the schools where otLIVE is rolled out has shown improvement, compared to past results and in schools where there isn’t otLIVE. I see a difference in the behaviour of the learners where there is otLIVE. During parent-teacher meetings, parents also recommend this program. I also observe that the learners have better knowledge and values concerning the Bible. It would be nice to see otLIVE in more schools in the district.”
Anita Jere, a standard 5 teacher at Yambe Primary School
“otLIVE has been of great importance at my school because learners are benefiting both spiritually and academically. Their spiritual life is being deepened as some of them do not go to church, but at least with otLIVE they are learning the Word of God at school.”
Mr Nyasulu, a teacher at Chinguluwe Primary School
“Because of otLIVE, learners are scoring good grades in Bible knowledge as a subject. It has helped learners to develop a positive attitude towards learning Bible knowledge. It has also brought discipline in the learners due to the skills they acquire during the teaching of otLIVE.
Clovis Chipata, a standard 5 teacher at Napache school
“I have noticed a change of behaviour in the otLIVE classes – there is less quarrelling and the learners are more merciful to each other.
Jonah Kamwendo , a standard 6 teacher at St Francis primary school
“ There is less absenteeism in the classes where otLIVE is taught! The drop out rate of standard 6 learners has also reduced.
Some challenges
Some areas where otLIVE is taught are under the significant influence of other faiths, but God continues to make a way for the teaching of His Word. Poverty is also an ongoing challenge for pupils from many households, with Malawi often not receiving adequate rainfall during the growing season.
Looking forward
Wiseman, one of the long-time instructors, shares: “We would love to see otLIVE teaching expand to more schools in the Salima district, and also add schools from the Chitala and Katelera areas. It would be good to have more volunteers to join us in bringing God’s kingdom into the lives of children.”
More about otLIVE
otLIVE teaches the big picture of God’s Word using engaging memory tools. Please click here to find out more about otLIVE.