Literacy Programs Transform the Lives of Entire Families

In the Solomon Islands, in the Pacific region, literacy programs have become a powerful tool for transforming people’s lives. Although 90% of the population has attended formal school, functional literacy rates in the major provinces remain low, ranging from just 7% to 17%. Recognizing the significant impact of illiteracy on livelihoods and spiritual growth, the Bible Society of the South Pacific (BSSP), in partnership with the Solomon Islands Literacy Association (LASI), is spearheading this transformative literacy project.

Bridging the Literacy Gap with the Bible

BSSP’s commitment to translating the Bible into local languages has resulted in the New Testament being available in 19 languages and the complete Bible in 3 languages, including the widely used Pijin language. Ms. Ledua Turaganivalu, BSSP’s Operations Manager, explained the connection between BSSP’s translation work and literacy efforts:

“I believe that for the Bible Society, we have found that translating the Scriptures into mother tongues is our priority. However, we discovered that these translations are not being read or used in many communities across the Solomon Islands. Church leaders read the Bible in English translations, then they preach in Pijin. One reason is that the majority of the congregation cannot read in their own mother tongue. So, this literacy program helps people read in their mother tongue as well as in Pijin…”

The focus of Bible translation into local languages is to ensure that everyone can read and understand the Bible in a language close to their hearts. It is of no use to have the Holy Scriptures if one cannot read and understand their contents, as explained by Mansueto Casquite, Asia-Pacific Literacy Advisor for the United Bible Societies (UBS) Asia-Pacific:

“Literacy connects Bible translation with the congregation’s engagement with the Bible. Within UBS, we emphasize that the printed and published Bible must be understandable. This enables the congregation to engage with, understand the meaning of the scriptures they read, and apply them to their lives. Understanding the Bible’s content ultimately fosters personal and communal faith and spiritual growth.”

The goal of the Literacy Project in the Solomon Islands is to help 1,500 young people and adults across 10 congregations of the “South Coast” Evangelical Church Synod, from now until the end of 2026, to read and write in their own language. By making the Bible more accessible and its content easier to understand, the hope is that the spiritual and communal life of the South Coast community will improve.

The Feminine Impact

In a patriarchal society where dominant men are often hesitant or ashamed to admit their limited literacy skills, women have become the primary beneficiaries and advocates of this initiative. Women are more open and unashamed to acknowledge their limitations in basic reading and writing.

By diligently learning to read, these women not only gain personal empowerment but also bring God’s Word into their homes, which has a positive impact on their families and communities. Turaganivalu explains how this trend is recognized by the communities served by this project:

“We found that the majority of literacy program participants—about 85%—are women and adult learners. This likely indicates that in the past, men were prioritized for formal education, while women spent more time at home. Today, the community recognizes that education is vital for community development. Literacy programs help women learn to read, build Christian fellowship with one another, and read the Scriptures for themselves. The pastors in the community shared with us their hope that after these women complete the literacy program, they will be able to participate in church ministry. I think what motivates these women is their desire to be able to read the Bible and become useful members of the church and the community.”

Literacy Classes Make a Difference
Malaita Province is the primary focus of this project, particularly in the Baeggu, Kwaio, and Fataleka languages. Recently, the BSSP project team, in collaboration with LASI, visited Malaita Province. They were warmly welcomed as they toured 22 villages. The team witnessed firsthand the impact of the literacy classes. Turaganivalu shared some of his recent experiences and the testimonies he received:

“When visiting a community that had completed the literacy program, one woman shared that when they used to go to the city, they couldn’t read the road signs along the way, but now that they are literate, they can read the signs in the city and help their own children with their homework. Another shared that she felt confident to serve in church after completing the literacy program.”

The dedication and support of the LASI team and local volunteers have made this program run efficiently and effectively. These reading classes are more than just educational sessions. Participants learn together and share life-changing experiences, which build self-confidence and increase participation in community activities.

Celebrating Success and Looking Ahead

The positive impact of this literacy program is already beginning to show. Women, who are the primary participants, are becoming more confident and actively involved in church activities and various community initiatives. Literacy skills have deepened their understanding of the Bible, enriched their spiritual lives, and improved their overall well-being. This empowerment of women has also had a significant ripple effect, as entire families are being exposed to and transformed by God’s Word.

Translated from: ubscommunity.org