March 27, 2025
Literacy remains a significant challenge in Benin, yet the Bible Society of Benin (BSB) is making remarkable strides in addressing this issue. By combining literacy initiatives with Bible translation efforts, BSB is transforming lives, empowering individuals, and strengthening communities through the power of God’s Word.
Benin faces significant literacy challenges, with an overall adult literacy rate of just 47.1%. The gender gap is particularly stark—while 57.9% of men can read and write, only 36.4% of women have these skills. Among youth aged 15-24, literacy rates are higher, reaching 73.6% for males, as generational improvements are made, but overall educational attainment remains low. Lower secondary school completion rates are just 27.7% for girls and 30.4% for boys, with obstacles such as child labour and poverty limiting access to education. In this context, BSB’s literacy programs play a crucial role in equipping communities with essential reading skills. By integrating literacy with Bible translation efforts, these initiatives provide people with access to Scripture and the foundational skills needed for personal and community development.
Celebrating Literacy Achievements
On January 25, the Djrado Baptist Church in Porto-Novo hosted a heart-warming certification ceremony for the 2023-2024 literacy programme. This event marked the completion of Cycle 1, Level 2, and celebrated 44 graduates who successfully passed their final exams in September 2024. The BSB General Secretary, Rev. Fidèle-Fifamè Houssou Gandonou and the Director of Secondary, Technical, and Professional Teaching of the Ouémé Département both co-signed the certificates, underscoring the significance of the graduates’ achievement.
BSB’s structured literacy program ensures that learning is accessible and effective. The program includes two key approaches: the Passerelle (PdT) approach and the LEI approach, both designed to facilitate sustainable literacy development. By equipping communities with trained facilitators, BSB ensures that literacy efforts remain ongoing and impactful. Participants in the program commit to specific criteria, including being Christian, available for training, fluent in national languages such as Gun or Fon, and possessing a minimum school level.
Advancing Bible Literacy Through Translation
Building on its commitment to literacy, BSB, in collaboration with the Finnish Bible Society, recently hosted a workshop to integrate literacy and Bible translation efforts. Held at the Diamond Hotel in Cotonou from February 24 to March 2, the workshop brought together facilitators, translation advisors, literacy supervisors, translators, and organisational leaders from Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Togo.
The workshop included two phases:
- February 24 – March 1: Training translation consultants in the principles and processes of adapting the “Learning to Read the Bible” (LRB) series into local languages, with a special focus on Fon and Gun.
- March 3 – March 4: Training and mentoring literacy teachers in the adaptation and publication of the LRB series in these languages.
A Lasting Impact
The primary objectives of the workshop were to equip translation consultants and literacy teachers with the necessary skills to adapt and publish Bible-based literacy materials in local languages. This included adapting booklets 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b into Fon and Gun, and producing test prints for pilot use. These materials will enhance literacy efforts and serve as vital resources in post-literacy initiatives, ensuring that new readers continue to engage with Scripture.
The workshop fostered collaboration among French-speaking African nations, strengthening regional Bible translation and literacy expertise. It built upon last year’s Alpha Forum, which was facilitated by Member Relations Manager for Francophone Africa, Mauril Koudoha, and UBS Literacy Consultant, Kimmo Kosonen, further reinforcing the commitment to expanding literacy and Scripture engagement.
Looking Ahead
The Bible Society of Benin’s literacy and translation work is a testament to the transformative power of education and God’s Word. As 2025 unfolds, BSB remains dedicated to reaching more communities, equipping them with the skills to read, understand, and apply Scripture daily.
As part of their goals for 2025, BSB is planning the translation of the African Women Devotional Bible into Fon, the translation of the Bible into Xwla and the continuation of the other translation projects, but above all the launch of the New Alphabet Gun Bible and the revised NT with DC in Bariba.
