Scriptures for prisoners

Scriptures for prisoners

by | Jun 22, 2022

Scriptures for prisoners in Tanzania

Project Summary

Scripture & Prayer

Scriptures for Prisoners in Tanzania is the Project addresses the need of prisoners to find that hope through faith in Christ.

The Bible Society is distributing Bibles and other books in the prisons in cooperation with pastors and priests working in the all prisons in Tanzania.

The BS staff was encouraged as it took part in worship services in some prisons, and had the opportunity to talk to people who had come to salvation during their time of detention.

We could see the hunger for the Word of God in such places. In this way many Bibles, New Testaments and books with stories from the Bible will be distributed in the prisons.

Key Verse

Isaiah 42:6-7: I, the Lord, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons.

Prayer points

Pray for the work amongst imprisoned people – that they may find piece with God by reading the Scriptures.

electrician 10
Installation

People who are institutionalized in the country’s prisons need to find hope and forgiveness offered by the Gospel.

Project Goal 

IMG 20200829 WA0013

Distribution of Scriptures to prisons.

Project goal’s relationship to overall bible society strategy

А vital part of the strategic plan of the Bible Society is to reach prisoners with the Bible message about salvation, hope and forgiveness.

How this project will help the beneficiaries

Providing New Testament and appropriate other Scripture will help the priests and pastors working amongst prisoners in their ministry and will enable the imprisoned people being reached by the message of the Gospel.

An observation of a psychologist working in one of the prisons is quite significant: “How is it possible! I cannot hold their attention for more than 10 minutes when we have therapy sessions with them, and you manage to get them just listen to you and singing songs for more than one hour! And reading! Some of them were so eager to read the Bibles & New Testaments given to them that actually learned to read. The came almost illiterate here. We have libraries with other books, but the Bible is considered as a different and a very special book.”

Psychologist

CRM akikabidhi Biblia kwa Mkuu wa Gereza scaled

Distribution of Scriptures to prisons.

SUPPORT THE PROJECT
IMG 20200831 WA0009
CRM akikabidhi Biblia kwa Mkuu wa Wilaya scaled
Wafanyakazi wa Chama cha Biblia cha Tanzania wakiwa wamepelaka Biblia za wafungwa katika gereza la Mugumu lililoko Mkoani Mwanza wilaya serengeti scaled
More Work

Addresses

16 Hatibu / 9th Road, Madukani Area.
P.O BOX 175, Dodoma -Tanzania.

Phone

+255 (0) 765 530 892

Email

info@biblesociety-tanzania.org

Kiha Bible Translation

Kiha Bible Translation

by | Jun 16, 2022

Kiha Bible Translation and Publishing

Project Summary

Scripture & Prayer

The Kiha Bible translation project had started in January 2004 and was expected to end in December; 2016. The completion date has been revised to  2024 due to reasons beyond our control including inadequate funding.

The New Testament was completed, Published  and Launched in November 29,2020. The event was very colorful. Translation of the Old Testament is still in progress, with some of the books translated and checked by our Translation Consultant.

This is the first Bible translation for Kiha speakers.

Traditionally the Kiha community is marred by evil practices such as witchcraft, alcoholism, polygamy and idolatry. Kiha people have longed to have the Bible in their mother tongue for many years. This continuing translation is a blessing to this community.

It is expected that, availability of the Bible in Kiha language will have a positive effect on church growth and deepening of personal faith that will lead to changed behavior in the community-minimizing the bad practices.

Having the Bible in their language will not only enable them to understand the Bible better, but it will also help preserve their language and cultural heritage. It is targeted that a total of 1,958,000 people will benefit from this project.

Our partners in this project are Anglican, Roman Catholics and Pentecostal churches in the project area. 

Key Verse

Matthew 28:19-20; “Go then to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”

Prayer points

  •  Pray for availability of funds
  • Pray for translators as they continue with translation of the Old Testament.
  • Pray for the Translation consultant as he continue checking books online especially during this time with the COVID 19  Pandemic.
electrician 10
Installation

This project is in line with Philadelphia promise on Bible Translation (Focus on audiences) and Strengthening Church relations (Share ownership of our mission)and the Bible Society of Tanzania Strategic Plan (2018 – 2022).

Project Goal

Kabithi

To translate the Bible in Kiha language for mission work among Kiha speakers.

Project goal’s relationship to overall bible society strategy

To translate the Bible in Kiha language for mission work among Kiha speakers. This is in line with the Bible Society’s

Strategic objectives that emphasizes the Society’s responsibility of facilitating translation of the Bible into languages without Bible, publish, and print the same – making it available to the community as the Word of God helping them to grow both in faith and spiritually

How this project will help the beneficiaries

National Context

Kiha language is spoken by Ha tribe that is situated in the North-East part of Kigoma in western part of Tanzania, by around 1,958,000 people. This project is in progress and the language speakers are anxiously waiting for it. The Kiha speakers communicate mostly in their language, as many people do not speak Swahili. The project aims at translating the entire Bible, including the Deuteron-Canonical books into this language. Having the Scriptures in their language will not only enable them to understand the Bible better, but it will also serve to preserve their language and their cultural heritage

Need

The Ha community is fond of speaking their vernacular and are enthusiastic about having the Word of God in their heart language for better understanding, rather than other languages that they don’t understand properly.

How this project will help the beneficiaries

The Ha community likes speaking their vernacular and are enthusiastic about having the Word of God in their heart language for better understanding rather than other languages that they don’t understand properly.

DSC00560 edited

The Bible Society has learnt that, Church involvement in the Bible,  brings great success to Bible translation work. We received a joint request from these churches who needed the Bible in their language. According to UBS regulation on translation we found that they met all requirements.

  • Their population is more than 250,000 people
  • They have never had a Bible in their language
  • Literacy rate is 68%
SUPPORT THE PROJECT
12 scaled
Kiha1
Kiha2
Kiha3
Kiha4
Kiha
DSC03196 scaled
More Work

Addresses

16 Hatibu / 9th Road, Madukani Area.
P.O BOX 175, Dodoma -Tanzania.

Phone

+255 (0) 765 530 892

Email

info@biblesociety-tanzania.org

Kinyiha First Bible Translation

Kinyiha First Bible Translation

by | Jun 16, 2022

Kinyiha First Bible Translation

Project Summary

Scripture & Prayer

The Kinyiha First Bible Translation, this will be the first Bible translation for Kinyiha speakers. We will start with translation of the OT and then we will revise the NT.  

New Testament started in early 1950’s and ended in December 1965 .The New Testament was published, launched and Distributed. The project did not continue due to reasons beyond our control including funding. But According to audience research, the demand of the churches and the community in Nyiha Area, the Bible Society of Tanzania decided to continue translating the Kinyiha Bible. This means to Consider the needs of the Community.

Key Verse

Mathew 28:16-20

Prayer points

  • Pray for availability of funds
  • Pray for translators as they continue with translation of the Old Testament.
  • Pray for the Translation consultant as he continue checking books online especially during this time with the COVID 19 Pandemic.
electrician 10
Installation

This project is in line with both the Philadelphia promise and the Bible Society of Tanzania strategic plan (2018-2022)

Project Goal

IMG 4720 scaled

To have the entire Bible published in Kinyiha language by the end of 2034, making it available for mission work.

 

Project goal’s relationship to overall bible society strategy

 

  • To translate the Bible in Kinyiha language for mission work among Nyiha speakers. This is in line with the Bible Society’s
  • Strategic objectives that emphasizes the Society’s responsibility of facilitating translation of the Bible into languages without Bible, publish, and print the same – making it available to the community as the Word of God helping them to grow both in faith and spiritually

How this project will help the beneficiaries

Need for the Translation

Wanyiha in Swahili are people who live in Songwe in Region on the south west Tanzania near Tunduma border to Zambia. The estimated number of the Nyiha is 632,000. 

The language is known as Wanyiha in Swahili and Nyiha language in English. At least 90% of the Nyiha population are Christians. A few, however, are Muslim or adhere to the traditional religion, especially those in remote areas.

The beneficiaries will include all age groups.

 

Non-literate Population

30%

National/Community Context

-The Nyiha language speakers do not have any reading material in their language. However, studies have shown that they predominantly communicate in their own language and having Bible in their language will be a great forum for them to have an encounter with the word of God.

-The Church in the language area requested the Bible Society to provide them with Bible in their language. That request necessitated translation of the Bible in this language to meet the Scripture needs of this tribe.

IMG 4709 scaled

To have the entire Bible published in Chasu language by the end of 2030 so that it can be used by the Vahasu Church, and can be read by Chasu speakers.

SUPPORT THE PROJECT
IMG 4652 scaled
IMG 4575 scaled
More Work

Addresses

16 Hatibu / 9th Road, Madukani Area.
P.O BOX 175, Dodoma -Tanzania.

Phone

+255 (0) 765 530 892

Email

info@biblesociety-tanzania.org

Chasu First Bible Translation

Chasu First Bible Translation

by | Jun 16, 2022

Chasu First Bible Translation

Project Summary

Scripture & Prayer

The Chasu First Bible Translation this will be the first Bible translation in Chasu. The project started with translating the Old Testament, and will continue with the revision of the New Testament.

The Chasu New Testament (Kiaghano Kishaa, © BFBS) was published in 1954, and was reprinted in 1967 and 1972. The translation project did not continue with the Old Testament due to the lack of funds.

However, since the Vahasu community and churches have repeatedly expressed their desire to have the complete Bible in their language, the Bible Society of Tanzania is currently looking ways to continue the translation work.

Key Verse

Mathew 28:16-20

Prayer points

  • Pray for availability of funds
  • Pray for translators as they continue with translation of the Old Testament.
  • Pray for the Translation consultant as he continue checking books online especially during this time with the COVID 19 Pandemic.
electrician 10
Installation

This project is in line with both the Philadelphia promise and the Bible Society of Tanzania strategic plan (2018-2022)

Project Goal

32 scaled
To have the entire Bible published in Chasu language by the end of 2030 so that it can be used by the Vahasu Church, and can be read by Chasu speakers.

Project goal’s relationship to overall bible society strategy

To translate the Bible in Chasu will support the Church ministry and individual Christians. This is in line with the Strategic Plan of the Bible Society of Tanzania (2018-2022).
The Strategic Plan emphasizes the Bible Society’s responsibility to facilitate Bible translation into languages without the Bible, and to publish and print the same. The aim is to support the spiritual growth of the community by providing the Word of God in the mother tongue.

How this project will help the beneficiaries

Need for the Translation

The Vahasu community is located in the Mwanga and Same districts in the Kilimanjaro Region, Northern Tanzania. The language spoken by the Vahasu community is Chasu. The estimated number of Chasu speakers is 530,000, of whom 25,000 are estimated to be monolinguals (Ethnologue). It is estimated that 50% of the Vahasu community are Christians, and 50% are Muslims or adhere to the traditional religion.

The need for a translation of the Old Testament and a revision of the New Testament translation was brought to the attention of the Bible Society by the main denominations in the Chasu area.

Non-literate Population

According to the 2012 National Census, the average literacy rate in the Kilimanjaro region is 92% (male 94%, female 90%). If found necessary, the translation of the Chasu Bible will be accompanied by a separate literacy program.

National/Community Context

Though the Chasu language is not used in schools, language use is still vigorous. In the context of the church, there are translations of the hymn book, the liturgy and the catechism, and these are used regularly in church services. This goes to show that there is a high need for the translation of the Scriptures in Chasu.

An additional indication of the language context is that the Chasu Church has constantly requested the Bible Society of Tanzania to provide the community with the Bible in their language.

IMG 7500 scaled

To have the entire Bible published in Chasu language by the end of 2030 so that it can be used by the Vahasu Church, and can be read by Chasu speakers.

SUPPORT THE PROJECT
IMG 7488 scaled
IMG 7533 scaled
More Work

Addresses

16 Hatibu / 9th Road, Madukani Area.
P.O BOX 175, Dodoma -Tanzania.

Phone

+255 (0) 765 530 892

Email

info@biblesociety-tanzania.org

Kifipa First Bible Translation

Kifipa First Bible Translation

by | Jun 15, 2022

Kifipa First Bible Translation

Project Summary

Scripture & Prayer

The Kifipa First Bible translation earlier the project for Kifipa New Testament started in early 1980’s and ended in December 1988 .

The New Testament was published, launched and distributed. Due to reasons beyond our control including inadequate funding, the Bible society of Tanzania could not continue with the Old Testament translation.

Faced with several repeated requests of the Fipa churches and community, the Bible Society of Tanzania decided to continue to find ways to start an Old Testament translation project in Kifipa. This will be the first Bible translation for Kifipa speakers.

We will start with translation of the OT and then we will revise the NT.
Traditionally, the Fipa community is marred by evil practices such as witchcraft, alcoholism, polygamy and idolatry. Fipa people have longed to have the Bible in their mother tongue for many years.

This translation will be a blessing to this community. It is expected that the availability of the Bible in the Kifipa language will have a positive effect on church growth and the deepening of personal faith, leading to a change in behavior in the community, and the minimizing of bad practices. Having the Bible in their language will not only enable them to understand the Bible better, but it will also help preserve their language and cultural heritage. It is estimated that a total of 713,000 people will benefit from this project.

The partners in this project are the Moravian Church, the Anglican Church, the Lutheran Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Assemblies of God Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Pentecostal churches. The Bible Society of Tanzania has learnt that church involvement in the Bible cause is a key factor in bringing success to Bible translation.

The aim is to translate the Old and New Testaments and the Deuterocanon into the Kifipa language.

Key Verse

Matthew 28:19-20; “Go then to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit”

 

Prayer points

  • Pray for availability of funds for the project to take off next year.
  • Pray for various training (translation, Paratext, etc.).
electrician 10
Installation

This project is in line with the Philadelphia promise and the Bible Society of Tanzania Strategic Plan (2018 – 2022).

Project Goal

IMG 4718 scaled
To have the entire Bible published in the Kifipa language by the end of 2034 and to make it available for mission work.

Project goal’s relationship to overall bible society strategy

To translate the Bible in the Kifipa language for mission work among Kifipa speakers. This is in line with the Bible Society of Tanzania’s Strategic Plan.

The Strategic Plan emphasizes the Bible Society’s responsibility to facilitate Bible translation into languages without the Bible, and to publish and print the same. The aim is to support the spiritual growth of the community by providing the Word of God in the mother tongue.

How this project will help the beneficiaries

The Fipa community is fond of speaking their vernacular and it is enthusiastic about having the Word of God in their heart language.

This Bible in their mother tongue will enable them to understand the Bible better than in languages which they are not fluent in.

IMG 4705 scaled

Having Scriptures available in the local vernacular is known to have a very positive effect on church growth and the deepening of personal faith.

SUPPORT THE PROJECT
IMG 4575 scaled
IMG 3844 scaled
More Work

Addresses

16 Hatibu / 9th Road, Madukani Area.
P.O BOX 175, Dodoma -Tanzania.

Phone

+255 (0) 765 530 892

Email

info@biblesociety-tanzania.org

Social Chat is free, download and try it now here!