Friends of Cote d’Ivoire

Send the Easter bunny packing. Send hope to Cote d’Ivoire.

What are you giving up for Lent? Chocolate? Soft drinks? Movies? When you give up something during this season of fasting and self-denial, what happens to the money you save?

Think about this. If you give up a daily candy bar for each of the 40 days of Lent, you save at least $40—and a lot of calories! If 1,749 more people do that, Radio Methos in Cote d’Ivoire could reach its Easter season goal of $70,000.

Radio what? Tune in and you’ll see.

If the skies grow dark and threatening, what do you do? Turn on your radio for a weather report? Where did you hear about the H1N1 virus? On a radio broadcast?

We have many ways to stay informed about what is happening in the world—iPods, TV, Web stories and much more.  But imagine living where electricity and the Internet are unreliable, where you and your neighbors cannot read or write, and where roads often are impassable.

Radio gives some of the Earth’s poorest and most isolated people the power to communicate. Radio transforms lives and communities.

Offer a lifeline.

Your Lenten gift can ensure that life-saving, life-changing programs reach those most in need. Consider the relatively inexpensive and low-tech solution of hand-cranked radios. Suddenly people in Cote d’Ivoire, west Africa, have a way to receive critical information that can prevent disease, save lives during emergencies, raise agricultural productivity, provide educational instruction and lower mortality rates.

United Methodist Church radio in Côte d’Ivoire broadcasted for the first time on Christmas Eve 2009, amplifying hope in a country still healing from a recent civil war. Reaching the Easter season goal of $70,000 will ensure support for the life-saving Radio Methos for a year, after which the station will strive to sustain itself.

Your $100 (USD) gift will provide an hour of Radio Methos programming. That’s just five trips to the theater—if you buy a large popcorn every time.

Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” - John 10:10b, NRSV

Here’s a challenge—and an invitation. Give up something during Lent and share the money you would have spent to give new life to people in Cote d’Ivoire. Help us reach our goal of $70,000. Together, we can do it!

Share the challenge

Download a flier and challenge your friends!

Learn more about how to get involved.