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

 

Why Bible Translation Matters

Written by BSK

March 4, 2025

Bible translation is crucial in Christian life in numerous ways, impacting individuals and communities alike. Bible translation is a noble cause that takes time and has numerous benefits as listed below.

Bridging language barriers: Kenya boasts over 53 different languages, creating a significant barrier for many to access the Bible in their native tongue. Bible translation bridges this gap, empowering individuals to directly engage with scripture, fostering deeper understanding and personal connection.

Cultural resonance: Biblical concepts translated into local languages and idioms become more familiar and impactful. This allows Kenyans to grasp the message through a cultural lens, enriching their interpretation and application of biblical principles in their daily lives.

Strengthening communities: Shared access to translated scripture fosters unity and understanding within diverse Kenyan communities. Bible study groups and discussions in local languages can build bridges across tribal and cultural lines, promoting empathy and collaboration.

Enhancing literacy: Bible translation projects often involve literacy initiatives, equipping individuals with the skills to read and understand the translated text. This empowers communities, particularly marginalized groups, and opens doors to further education and opportunities.

Sparking spiritual growth: Reading the Bible in the mother tongue allows Kenyans to engage with scripture deeply, fostering personal reflection and spiritual growth. This can lead to strengthened faith, renewed hope, and a sense of purpose within individuals and communities.

Preserving cultural heritage: Some communities do not have any text written in their native languages. Bible translation plays a crucial role in documenting endangered languages which not only provides access to the Bible but also helps preserve valuable cultural heritage for future generations.

Furthermore, Bible translation fosters interdenominational cohesion, as the Bible provides a common basis for Christian teaching and evangelistic endeavors.

The impact of Bible translation in Kenya is not without its complexities. However, the overall benefits remain significant, empowering Kenyans to connect with their faith, strengthen their communities, and find personal meaning in the biblical message.

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