That was the question a family member recently asked us about our work in Tanzania. So we thought the best way to answer that question was with another question. So what are we and our partners in ministry doing over here? You see, we are only here because our partners have lovingly and obediently supported the work. Here is the year end summary--thanks to our director-- of what has happened in our branch (Tanzania-Uganda). As we come to the end of 2011 and anticipate 2012, it’s good to look back and thank God for His continued faithfulness to us. Much has been accomplished in the past year and we want to thank each one of you for your part in the work!
~2011 saw the publication of Genesis in Rangi and Burunge; the Gospel of Mark in Temi; and the Gospel of Luke in Ikizu. These are just the published portions of Scripture, there has been a lot more Scripture drafted, checked and ready for publication. A number of the teams in Uganda are getting very close to finishing the New Testament. Bwisi has completed 71% of the New Testament and has just the gospels of John and Matthew to complete. In total our translation consultants checked 17,276 verses in fiscal year 2011.
~Our literacy and Scripture Use teams continue to produce new local language publications, including locally authored story books, Bible-based reading materials, and basic health and development booklets. 108 new publications were produced in fiscal year 2011 and the number of sales, which we use as an indicator of use of local language materials, has increased by over a third (15,700 to 25,000), which is very encouraging. There was a dedication event for 12 devotional booklets in Sukuma, one for each month of the year. The whole service was in Sukuma, and a little bell was rung if anyone strayed into Swahili!
~Many local language literacy classes have been held throughout the year. As a result close to 20,000 community members have learnt how to read and write their own language. Scripture Use events have also taken place, with around15,000 people attending various local language Scripture use events.
~This year saw the start of the Luke Partnership project with The Seed Company. The project includes 7 Ugandan languages. Some of these languages have existing Scriptures, but are dealing with issues of access particularly associated with difficult to read orthographies.
~Foundational linguistics and orthography development work is proceeding in a number of our projects, including Mbugwe and Ik. This year linguistic work will be started in 3 new languages to the south east of Mbeya: Pangwa, Manda and Kisi, as well as in the new Katavi Cluster.
~This year we’ve started more intentional advocacy for use of local languages in education and development in Tanzania and have continued to participate in a Multi-lingual Education Network in Uganda. The advocacy work in Tanzania has been significantly aided by the recent publication by Uwezo which indicates that many children in Tanzania speak a language other than Swahili at home and those children are disadvantaged when they go to school, being less able to understand the teacher’s instructions in Swahili. As a result they perform poorly. There is substantial evidence from other places that this situation can be rectified by teaching the child to read and write first in their mother tongue. The child would then be much more able to learn to read and write in Swahili, providing a stronger foundation for their continuing education through primary school and beyond. Looking ahead we would like to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach through well researched and documented basic literacy programs so that we can back up what we are saying with tangible evidence.
And that’s just a few of the highlights! Thank you to all of our friends and family who faithfully support our work here in Tanzania. We wish you many blessings!
