Takwani Literacy Project, Malawi, Africa
Takwani is the language spoken by the Takwani people, the majority population in eastern Malawi coming from west of Zambezi Province in Mozambique. There are about 1,200,000 speakers in Malawi and Mozambique.
The Takwani are 30% Muslims, 20% animists and only 50% Christians. Their Bible has been translated; however, the literacy rate varies from 1.5% to 20%. Illiteracy, especially among women in the remote rural areas, causes a lack of good hygiene and health practices, among many other problems.
The project will enable the Takwani people to learn to read the Bible in their own language, make disciples, share the Gospel of Christ, plant new churches and strengthen existing churches.
Objectives:
1. Develop and print the primers – 82 lessons with biblical content. To launch the literacy project in May 2027.
2. Train teachers and leaders for evangelism, discipleship and church planting.
3. In the first year, to train 50 teachers with 25 literacy classes with 10–25 pupils per class.
Partnerships and estimated impact
The Word for The World Bible Translators Malawi (TWFTW) will provide classroom space, mobilize volunteer teachers, and identify needs. We are estimating 1,500 new readers over the first two years, and 6,000 new readers within five years.
Cost Breakdown:
Primer Construction Workshop, lodging and meals $7,000
Materials and computer input for 3 Months 1,800
Launch, promotion of primers, and teacher training 2,000
Initial printing - 500 copies each of Book 1 and Book 2 1,000
Administration.TUL 2,000
Total $13,800