Our Programs

Literacy for Women in Africa

BSK has an adult literacy program dubbed literacy for women in Africa. This program mainly targets a group of women of child-bearing age (15 years and above) who have not had the opportunity to learn to read and write.

BSK has an adult literacy program dubbed literacy for women in Africa. This program mainly targets a group of women of child-bearing age (15 years and above) who have not had the opportunity to learn to read and write.
Other persons targeted by the programme include men, young girls, and elderly women. This could also include women who have already had the opportunity to learn to read ‘second chance.’

Turkana County has low literacy levels of 20% considering that it has a population of 926,976 speakers of the language. Non-literates account for 741,580.

The Literacy for Women in Africa programme is currently being implemented in the County with 20 active adult literacy classes spread across Loima, Turkana Central, Turkana North, and Turkana South sub-counties. The program has grown tremendously since 2018 when it began with 10 pilot classes. So far, 1920 learners have been trained with 65% of them being women.

The reason why the program majorly focuses on women is that in the marginalized communities women or girls are denied a chance to go to school, as priority is given to men. Women are seen as people who carry out house chores, bear children, go through practices e.g. female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages thus denying them a chance to access education or any form of schooling.

The uniqueness of this program is that it is a non-formal mother tongue-based education meant to impact adult learners with basic reading and writing skills. The main goal of the program is to enable the marginalized communities to read the Word of God in their heart language and be transformed by it.

BSK partners with the Church to implement this programme. The Churches provide venues that are used as classes, they identify passionate people who are trained as teachers, and they assist in monitoring. The Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education office has also come in handy in helping learners to transition to formal schooling to learn other subjects.

other Programs & projects

Open the Book & Programme For Pastoral Instruction PPI

Braille Bible Distribution to the VIP’s Programme

Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH)

Mwimbi Bible Translation

Young Samaritans Programme

Literacy for Women in Africa

Bibles Eagles Club

African Biblical Leadership Initiative (abli)

Marginalized Children

 

Gikuyu Study Bible Project

Banyala Bible Translation Project

Teso Bible translation project

 

Open the Book Programme Inspires Kericho County’s Children

Written by BSK

July 20, 2023

A boy reading his Bible at the OTB event

In the beautiful county of Kericho, nestled amidst rolling hills and lush green tea plantations, a transformative event unfolded that would forever leave an imprint on the hearts and minds of its participants. The Bible Society of Kenya, in collaboration with Kericho branch, local schools and churches, organized the eagerly anticipated “Open the Book Programme competition. The competition involved celebration of faith, storytelling through dramatization of Bible stories and showcasing of creativity.

The event commenced with an air of excitement and anticipation. The atmosphere was electric as children from different schools in Kericho County gathered, each brimming with enthusiasm to showcase their knowledge and passion for the Bible.

The Open the Book Programme event was not just about sharing stories but also about encouraging the children to actively engage with the scriptures. The Bible Society of Kenya had organized Bible story competitions, where children had the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of biblical narratives while showcasing their creativity and public speaking skills.

The participants, adorned in their school uniforms, and others in costumes eagerly took their places on the stage, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. The audience, comprising parents, teachers, and fellow students, filled the venue with an air of support and encouragement. The stage was set for a display of faith, talent, and camaraderie. As the children stepped forward, their voices resonated with confidence and conviction, bringing the ancient tales to life. Different Bible stories were narrated delivering with passion and a deep understanding of its moral lessons.

Children showing off their new Bibles

The audience was enthralled, their attention captured by the heartfelt performances. The children skillfully brought the characters to life, their voices filled with emotion, and their gestures reflecting the essence of the stories. The atmosphere in the venue was palpable with awe and admiration for the young talents on display.

As the competition progressed, the event also featured storytelling sessions led by experienced facilitators. These sessions aimed to inspire and engage the audience, encouraging them to develop a love for reading and understanding the Bible.

Throughout the event, the spirit of healthy competition was intertwined with a sense of unity and support. The participants cheered for each other, celebrating the courage and dedication displayed by their peers. The event fostered an environment of inclusivity and appreciation for the diverse interpretations of the Bible’s teachings.

As the event drew to a close, the winners were announced, and each participant was recognized for their remarkable efforts. But beyond the accolades, every child left the event with a newfound appreciation for the power of storytelling and the lessons embedded within the Bible’s sacred pages. The winners in the different categories were; Chepkutung Primary  school, Kimugu Primary School and Victory Church who received trophies for their outstanding performances.

The Open the Book Programme event had successfully ignited a spark within the hearts of the youth in Kericho County. It had inspired them to explore the depths of their faith, embrace their creativity, and share the transformative power of the Bible’s stories. The event was a testament to the Bible Society of Kenya’s commitment to nurturing a generation rooted in faith, knowledge, and compassion. The children and their teachers were excited as they looked forward to the next year’s event, determined to bring their best foot forward in the next competition.

As the children returned to their homes, they carried with them the memories of a day filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and the joy of sharing their love for the Bible. The Open the Book Programme had left an indelible mark on the children of Kericho County, empowering them to become ambassadors of faith and storytellers of hope. At the end of the day, every child went home fulfilled and nourished physically (food was in plenty) and spiritually as all the children went home with a portion of Scripture.

 

You May Also Like…

God’s Unfailing Love

God’s Unfailing Love

"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 This simple yet profound verse sums up God's relationship with...

Nurturing a Bible Reading Culture

Nurturing a Bible Reading Culture

In a world of uncertainty and chaos, the Bible stands as a beacon of light and guidance. Its timeless truths offer...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *