In Togo, a tropical country in West Africa, people speak a total of 40 indigenous languages. But only a few of these languages have a complete Bible translation, hindering millions of people in Togo from engaging with God’s Word. Even when Bible translations do exist in a language, illiteracy prevents many people from reading and interacting with God’s Word in a written form.
To ensure every person in Togo has access to God’s Word, the Bible Society of Togo, with support from American Bible Society’s financial partners, works to complete Bible translations and host Bible engagement programs for those who cannot read.
Opportunity
Bible engagement: Many of the 40 ethnic groups in Togo honor an oral tradition, meaning culture is passed on through stories and spoken word. In these communities, literacy levels are low, making engagement with written Scripture nearly impossible. These people need access to God's word in formats that they can understand in order to encounter its life-changing message.
Bible translation: Although French is the official language of Togo, only one third of the country’s population speaks it fluently. For those who do not speak French, the opportunity to engage with God’s Word is limited; more than one million Togolese people do not have access to a complete Bible in their heart language. To overcome this obstacle to Scripture engagement, the Bible Society of Togo seeks to finish Bible translations in several languages.
Transformation
Bible engagement: To facilitate Bible engagement among those who are accustomed to oral tradition, the Bible Society of Togo hosts Faith Comes By Hearing Bible listening sessions. These sessions are accompanied by Bible reading classes, which equip attendees to study Scripture in a written format. At the end of the program, attendees receive their own copy of the Bible, a gift made possible by the Bible Society of Togo and American Bible Society’s financial partners.
Bible translation: Bible translators in Togo, with support from American Bible Society’s financial partners, are working to complete Bible translations in four languages: Kabiye, Lama, Tem and Akposso. In the next three years, these translators expect to finish all four projects, giving more than one million people access to a complete Bible in their heart language.