The New Bible Readers (PBA) programme in Siberut, Mentawai Islands has been running for nine months. A week ago, the Internal Audit Unit (SKIA) of the Indonesian Bible Institute (LAI) was present in Siberut to monitor the implementation of the programme and get a close look at the development of the learners' skills. Currently, the PBA programme in Siberut reaches 1336 learners. They are in 69 study classes spread across Siberut Island. The participants come from a variety of age backgrounds, ranging from 10 to 60 years old.
To ensure that the PBA programme goes according to plan and the teaching and learning process is optimal, the Field Leader of the PBA Programme on Siberut, Fredrik Talo Goro regularly coordinates with the field coordinators, namely: Philip Bora Kaduka (Taileleu and Katurei villages, Southwest Siberut), Siman Wulang (Central Siberut sub-district). For the farthest areas, Sagulubbeg Village (Southwest Siberut) and Madobag Village in South Siberut, they were coordinated by Fredrik Talo Goro and Alfred Ndawa Hamanai. The three sub-districts are all located on Siberut Island, but road access is inadequate so to get to these areas must go by sea or river from the PBA secretariat office in Muara Siberut. Consequently, transport costs are high. When the weather is bad and the sea waves are high, it is not possible to visit and monitor the classrooms. This is also the case if the river is flooded or otherwise low tide and dry.
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Even though we are in the same area, we have to go by boatpompong(smaller boat) to reach the learning classes. We are grateful to see the enthusiasm of the community in attending the learning classes. We are often concerned when we see people who have been so diligent in attending the learning classes, but the development of their skills is very slow. There are also elementary school children in Siberut who attend PBA classes to improve their reading and writing skills. Many of them, despite being in grade 4, cannot read fluently. Another challenge comes from the daily habits of the villagers themselves. During traditional events in the village, farming activities and harvest season, attendance at learning classes decreases.
In a meeting with the tutors, Fredrik proposed to provide additional classes for residents who could not read and do simple maths. Fredrik also urged the tutors to encourage people to learn by visiting those who did not turn up for the classes.
The advancement of technology (mobile phones) has also helped the progress of the learning community. Many learners are now able to reply to Chat WA, although they still often make typos or punctuation errors, for example: less letters, without spaces, less words, without periods or commas. Hopefully in the last two months, the participants will be more enthusiastic in learning and pass the final evaluation in March or April 2024.
May the Siberut PBA Programme in the Mentawai Islands bring blessings to the church and God's people there. Those who can read and pass the evaluation will receive a Bible from LAI and love God more through His Word.
