Wycliffe Australia's Current Projects
Next Step Technology Fund
Project 8405
A number of national translation organisations have a great heart and passion for Bible translation but when it comes to getting the appropriate technology to do the job, they often have to settle or make do with inferior resources. We can change this. This fund supports national organisations in their computing, training and other technological resource needs so they can make the most of new advances and opportunities.
Partner with us
Our partnership target for 2018 is $9,000
If we receive extra funds, this will go towards the following year’s target.
South Asia 2 (NSD Partner)
PHOTO BY MARC EWELL
Next Step Development is working with a student group in South Asia in a program that involves training young people from remote and isolated Christian communities. Christians are in a minority in this country and suffer from a lack of resources and many forms of discrimination.This is an innovative, multi-faceted program that involves training in Bible translation as well as tertiary education in a range of technical qualifications that will be useful in local communities (community nursing, education etc). It also includes teaching English, which is a bridge to many opportunities and very useful in translation work. At present four communities are represented, but as other communities become aware of the opportunity they are expressing an interest in becoming involved.
Currently our support is through the provision of personnel who act as trainers and translation checkers, including the funds for their travel and accommodation. We also work in conjunction with other external funders to supplement the funds raised by the local group.
We believe that this program represents a new phase and demonstrates what translation work will increasingly look like in the future. The strong focus is on training capable and enthusiastic locals so that they can eventually take over all levels of responsibility, right through to translation consulting.
Partner with us
Funds to this Next Step partner will be part of the overall target for Next Step Development.
South Asia 1 (NSD Partner)
PHOTO BY ELYSE PATTEN
Next Step Development is committed to partnership with our colleagues in a country in South Asia. Whilst we continue to work together to broaden the base of relationship, our current support involves financially assisting Bible translation students in their training. We are receiving regular reports that these students are enthusiastically embracing their God-given calling and we are excited to be able to support them as they strive to expand their skillset. These are the future leaders of the translation movement in their country.
Partner with us
Funds to this Next Step partner will be part of the overall target for Next Step Development.
BTA PNG (NSD Partner)
PHOTO BY SARAH HALFERTY
Project 8327
The Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association (BTA) is an indigenous organisation committed to translating the Bible into the languages of their country. BTA has a new generation of leaders and has just released an exciting new strategic plan to accelerate the rate of translation in the country. Wycliffe Australia is emphatically committed to BTA and its leaders, and has identified Next Step as the department that will be responsible for the relationship. We expect that there will be a range of areas where we can help to strengthen BTA as they exercise their faith to establish themselves on a stronger domestically-oriented financial footing, and revitalise a number of translation projects that are not progressing strongly.
Partner with us
Funds to this Next Step partner will be part of the overall target for Next Step Development.
Next Step Development
Next Step Development (NSD) is a new initiative of Wycliffe Australia that focuses more intentionally on an interest that we have always had – supporting and empowering local organisations involved in Bible translation and related activities, in locations where we know those organisations well.
There are some key ingredients that are always part of a Next Step program.
Firstly, we do not rush into Next Step relationships quickly. It takes time to build trust.
Secondly, we are determined to exercise our listening skills much more than our talking skills. Our Next Step friends are better able to identify their needs than we are.
Thirdly, Next Step projects are undergirded in prayer, not as an afterthought or incidental component, but as a fundamental cornerstone.
Fourthly, Next Step is about building local capacity. ‘Sustainability’ may have already become a buzz-word, but it is still our objective. Locals ‘doing’and managing their own destinies, with us helping where our own skills or funds can lead to a better outcome, is our objective.
The scope of Next Step is therefore quite wide. We can assist with things like training, equipment, personnel; whatever the roadblocks are to success.
We anticipate that there will initially be no more than a dozen of these key relationships so that the appropriate level of engagement can be maintained.
We already have Next Step friends in Papua New Guinea (Bible Translation Association, BTA), two organisations in South Asia, Indonesia (Kartidaya), and are in discussions with several more.
This is an exciting phase of the development of Wycliffe Australia. Please join us in prayer and with financial support if you are able!
Thanks for your patience...