Literacy books for children in Papua New Guinea
Small project code: 0251
Member: Robbie & Debbie Petterson
Amount needed: $5,850 NZD
Rumu children in Papua New Guinea are struggling to learn to read. The Pettersons worked in Bible translation and literacy there 30 years ago, but on a recent visit they learned that children are struggling in school, and the literacy books they left decades ago were no longer around. They want to reprint those literacy books and make new ones to help the children learn to read.
A 2025 literacy survey of all the schools in the area confirmed that most of the Rumu children cannot read, even up to grade 4. Most schools were focused on teaching English first, which is failing badly. There was one school teaching children to read in the Rumu language, but the teacher lacked books to support this. Having literacy books available in the Rumu language will equip schools for teaching children to read in their own language first, which is more effective for learning.
Travel expenses for mother-tongue translator
Small project code: 0252
Member: Ian & Marietta Flaws
Amount needed: $3,500 NZD
In New Caledonia, the Hmwaveke Bible translation team, led by Yvonne Michel-Villaz, is working hard to have the New Testament in their own language. The translation project has also sparked a number of other initiatives in promoting and revitalising the language. Earlier this year, Ian and Marietta Flaws (translation advisor) spent 3 weeks in the Hmwaveke area to work with the translators. However, their time with the group was severely restricted due to village events (weddings, funerals), and because of Yvonne being highly in demand for all her other language promotion activities.
The Flaws have proposed that Yvonne spend 6-8 weeks in NZ during the school holidays (when she is freer of other commitments) to enable a focused time on translation checking outside the village setting. The aim would be to complete checking the gospel of Luke. If the proposed “work camp” is successful, they will aim at repeating the process a number of times. The proposed $3,500 would cover the cost of Yvonne’s airfares, insurance and food for one trip.
Internet and power for remote Bible translation
Small project code: 0253
Member: Craig & Darlene
Amount needed: $7,000 NZD
Initial Bible translation work and training was started for the Namakura language in Vanuatu in the late 1990s. However, there was no-one available to facilitate and keep the project going until now. Craig & Darlene are gearing up to start the Namakura Bible Translation project in early 2026, and need funds for the initial set-up. The Namakura community is scattered over about seven islands, so Craig & Darlene plan to provide a laptop with internet and solar power for two or three remote locations.
These funds will cover setting up solar power systems in two locations, as well as Starlink internet (including the first year’s subscription). The solar power system in the first location will need to support up to three laptops, while the second location can be a smaller set-up.
Equipping consultants with Hebrew poetry training
Small project code: 0254
Member: Murray Salisbury
Amount needed: $3,725 NZD
Translating the Old Testament accurately requires a good understanding of its cultural context, original language and literary styles. Murray has been training translators and consultants in Hebrew poetry and other related courses for over 30 years. Now he is looking to work himself out of a job by mentoring younger trainers to teach what he teaches. The demand for practical, hands-on training in the Land of the Bible is growing rapidly. Mentoring the next generation of trainers is critical to meet the growing need for expertise in Old Testament translation.
There is an opportunity for a brilliant consultant and potential new trainer, Stephanie, to fly to Israel to help Murray teach and tutor the next batch of consultants in Hebrew poetry at Jerusalem Centre for Bible Translators. This project is to cover Stephanie’s airfares to and from Israel in May/June 2026 so she can continue the important work of equipping Bible translation workers from around the world for ensuring accurate, clear and natural translations of the Old Testament.
Solar power for Solomon Islands translation team
Small project code: 0255
Member: John Rentz
Amount needed: $7,500 NZD
The Äiwoo translation team in the Reef Islands often finds their work hampered due to a limited solar power system. The team is well supplied with laptops, tablets, phones, wireless printer, and a Starlink satellite dish to connect all of these devices to the internet. All this equipment works beautifully… when they have power. But none of it works when they are without power, which is a regular occurrence, especially on overcast days. In addition, the project manager on a neighbouring island has no solar power and has to hike to a neighbouring village where there is no workspace for him.
This project is raising funds to replace the Äiwoo team’s inadequate solar power system with an improved system that can properly support the team. Then they can send the old system to the project manager. This project will enable the team to better serve the nearly 10,000 Äiwoo speakers who live in the Solomon Islands by continuing to make God’s message accessible in their mother tongue.
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