Bible translation and literacy teaching go hand in hand in Togo

TOGO— “There is little purpose in translating God’s Word if nobody can read it.” As in many less developed countries, this is the philosophy which guides Bible translation work in Togo, where only 60 per cent of the adult population can read and write. For many years, the Bible Society of Togo has sought to ensure that translation projects go hand in hand with the literacy teaching required to ensure that Christian communities can fully benefit from having the Scriptures in their own language. These testimonies from three speakers of Bassar (Ntcham) reveal how learning to read and write can dramatically change an individual’s life, both in a practical way and in terms of their spiritual development.

Waké Nikabou:

Waké Nikabou [photo: BS of Togo WR409/8 TOG07DJ-2]

I’m a Christian and I worship at an Assemblies of God church. I’m married with two children. I was never able to attend school, but in 1975 I was given the opportunity to attend a oneyear literacy course in my own language. It wasn’t easy at first and I wondered whether I would be able to see it through to the end. But I received a lot of support and I even went on to learn to read and write in French, too. My French isn’t perfect, but I’m proud of it. After I finished my training, I was asked to remain involved with the literacy work as a teacher of others. I worked really hard so that I wouldn’t let other people down. Now I’m very pleased to have been involved in something that has contributed to the development of our rural community. Before we had learnt to read and write, we would have to rely on the children to write messages for us if we wanted to communicate with other villages. Now I realise that they didn’t always write exactly what we wanted them to say! Now that I can read and write, I don’t need to rely on other people and I can send confidential messages to people in other villages. Everybody should attend literacy classes so that they can experience the joy and freedom that come from being able to read and write. I thank God for them.

Daniel Mani:

Daniel Mani [photo: BS of Togo WR409/8 TOG07DJ-1]

I’m a farmer in Kpassa, on the border with Ghana. I’m also a leader in the Evangelical Church of Ghana. I’m 65 years old and have 11 children. Our community was among the first to show interest in attending literacy classes. It was a wonderful experience for me and I really feel that, by God’s grace, learning to read and write has made me a ‘respectable’ person. After gaining literacy skills myself, I began teaching others. I even became one of the revisers working on the translation of the Bible into Ntcham. When I began this work I sometimes cycled more than 100 kms to work with other team members in Togo and Ghana. I can’t do that any more, but I believe that, despite my age, the Lord still needs me in his vineyard. That’s why I share my experiences with others whenever an opportunity arises. It’s a very noble task that we’re involved in: spreading God’s Word through teaching literacy skills. Thank you for everything the Bible Society is doing. May God bless you in your work.

Labanté Makou:

I’m a 51-year-old farmer with three children. I was very pleased to hear that a scheme had been started to help people who hadn’t had the opportunity to go to school. My father died when I was young and so I wasn’t able to go to school. I’m glad that I became involved in the literacy classes at an early stage, because it took me a long time to understand the lessons and to learn to read in Ntcham. But now there is nothing that I can’t read in my own language. This knowledge has allowed me to lead three new churches, because this needs somebody who can read and interpret Bible texts. Gaining literacy skills has been a great help to me in my personal life and in my relationship with God. There is a strong sense of solidarity in our village, and I have been involved in helping others to learn to read and write in our mother tongue.

(WR 409/8 - 03.07) [2 photos]