How a ‘wish
list’ came true
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| The Rev Tafluka Kubuya (right), Coordinator of the Kalanga Old Testament translation project, and the Rev Philip Mothetho, one of the translators, show off one of the computers they obtained with help from local businesses. Francistown, Botswana. Photo: Mission of Lutheran Churches / Klaus Pahlen (BOT03DJ-2.JPG) |
The New Testament in Kalanga, the language of around 160,000 Kalanga people in north-eastern Botswana and a similar number in western Zimbabwe, was launched in November 1999 (see World Report 348/5 and 348/6). Work is now under way on the Old Testament. In the following account, the Rev Klaus Pahlen of the Mission of Lutheran Churches, Germany, the exegete for this project, tells how the project team managed to obtain computers to assist the translators’ work.
FRANCISTOWN,
Botswana —
Bible translation work is changing dramatically as more and more translators
switch from pen and paper to computers, allowing them to easily input
and edit their work and exploit the growing range of electronic resources
such as commentaries and handbooks. However, obtaining funding to purchase
computers can be a significant challenge, even in countries where they
are readily available and electricity supplies are reliable.
At the planning stage for the Kalanga project, we decided to approach local business leaders for funds, rather than the Bible Society or regular donors. It was thought that business leaders would understand that an office needs computers and would be willing to make a one-off donation for equipment, even if they would not pay the translators’ salaries. As part of the planning process, we drew up a wish list that included three computers, a modem, a laser printer, networking and licences for a number of standard and specialised software programs.
Friendly
Having made our plans, we set a budget and sought quotations. We were initially disappointed to find that the quotations were very high. However, we were then helped by a friendly business consultant who advised us on how to approach companies. He even photocopied our letter for us free of charge and distributed it in Gaborone! We also worked hard to distribute the letter locally, handing it over in person wherever possible and explaining that without computers we would not be able to work properly. One firm asked us to complete a detailed application form for a grant, and we learnt that it is important to be prepared for this.
We began reaping the harvest of our efforts very quickly, receiving more than US$6,000 within around two months. We thanked each donor in writing. The amount raised was not quite sufficient to meet all our needs, but we were able to scale down our wish list and to purchase all the most essential items. Our translators had never used computers before, but they were eager to learn and would not want to work without them again.
Crashes
I, as the exegete, acted as system administrator and trouble-shooter, and, after suffering a series of computer crashes, I became accustomed to making regular back-ups and running anti-virus software.
Our
experiences show that it is possible to get funding for computers and
related equipment. The challenges do not end when the computers arrive,
however: they need constant attention! (WR 377/17 - 6.03)
