Education and the bible

As citizens of the Western World, we are used to have access to an abundance of literature for generations already. We can hardly imagine what it will mean if basic primary education is only available in a foreign language.

Looking back just a few centuries, during medieval times, education was restricted to church settings. It was mainly promoted by the monasteries, motivated by the wish to study and understand the Bible.

In cultures with just oral traditions, we observe a similar development. People with a strong desire to read the Bible in their mothertongue, are more motivated in the process of literacy, they prove to learn reading and writing faster than others without that motivation. People are touched by the stories that talk about justice and peace, reconciliation and truth. Their fears are removed, destructive practices (most of all genital mutilation in women) are recognized as humiliating, and revenge can be overcome.

The Bible is a most diverse collection of historic documents, poetry, prophecy and wisdom texts rooted in Jewish traditions, as well as documents about Jesus' life and reports on the first churches. The wish to have access to these is often presented to organisations like Wycliffe Ethiopia with great impatience. Naturally, alongside Bible translation, a program in literacy is mandatory. Organizing reading classes, and developing reading materials, is essential in enabling the community to become independent readers.