Paving the way for new Bible Society in South Sudan

“You could smell the freedom in the air. People look more confident and are bubbling with hope,” says Mr David Hammond, Bible Society’s African Area Secretary after visiting the newly formed Republic of South Sudan recently.

David Hammond, third from right, and Dr Edward Kajivora, first on right, meeting with church leaders in Yei, South Sudan, in August 2011.

Mr Hammond was in the country as a member of an interim steering committee that has been set up to spearhead the creation of a new Bible Society of South Sudan, which it is hoped will be established by the end of this year.

Travelling with Translation Consultant, Dr Edward Kajivora, the two men met with church leaders to listen to their views on where the immediate priorities should lie.

First and foremost, there is a great need for Bibles, which are very scarce, in people’s heart languages. As well, there is an urgent need to develop appropriate Scriptures to assist with much-needed reconciliation and peace-building initiatives, and trauma counselling.

Bible Society wants to develop a Bible-based literacy programme for use by the churches. It also wants to provide Bibles for different groups including refugees, members of the army and people in government.

This article is from The Word at Work – Summer 2011.