On Saturday, 26th March 2021, the bible society celebrated for the first time, its Literacy and Faith Comes by Hearing (FCBH) day. The historic event was celebrated at Sanyang Village with a series of activities with high profile dignitaries in attendance.
The celebration commenced with a march pass from Mamina Junction to the Saint Vincent de Paul School all in Sanyang. The march pass was led by the Gambia Police Band, followed by various schools from in and around Sanyang, Students of the literacy and FCBH classes, coordinators of the various literacy classes and the staff and board of the bible society.
The people in attendance were warmly welcomed by the vice chairperson of the bible society, Mrs. Helen Musa-Kormayea.
The Secretary General of the society, Mr. Michael Ellis stated in speech that the bible society has been actively involved in literacy since its official registration with the government in 2003. “As we speak today, we have successfully translated the bible into the Mandinka and Jola languages. We’ve also empowered people through our literacy program” he said. Mr. Ellis also appealed to the ‘Alkalos’ (Village heads) and the various group heads to actively encourage their villagers to embrace these programs to protect our languages and culture and also solidify our faith.
Despite threats posed by the rain, an impressive number of about three hundred and fifty people turned out for the event. This is just to show the impact of the literacy and FCBH programs. This is thanks to the hard work of over fifty coordinators and teachers who were certified during the event.
Madam Musu Bakoto Sawo, the national coordinator of Think young Women, A legal scholar at the law faculty of the university of The Gambia and a children and women’s right activist for over nineteen years of experience to name a few, was the keynote speaker at the event. She started by sharing the story of how she escaped the grip of the culture of early marriage when it nearly shattered her dreams of being a lawyer when she was only fourteen years.
She highlighted that we owe children a good education and guidance to ensure that they live out their full potential. She added that education does not only stop with children because adult literacy can ensure that old people know their religion and escape the grip of blindly following misinterpreted laws. This she said will help people because when you know your religion, you become a better person.
In his address, the chairman of the bible society, Reverend Father Anthony Gabisi talked about the need to have a common language for effective communication to take place. He added that this is why literacy and FCBH comes into play. “The language is what we learn and the word is what teaches us how to live”. He went further to engage the crowd in Wolof (one of the widely spoken local languages).
The former governor of the West Coast region of the Gambia, Abdul FM. Badjie also addressed the crowd. He started by recognizing the endless efforts of the bible society in The Gambia, labelling it ‘a major stakeholder’ in adult education.
He stated that literacy in our local languages can help us easily make one of the local languages to be the official language, adding that that would greatly help us preserve our culture and traditions.
Certificates were given to the twelve coordinators in the five different clusters around the country, the literacy and FCBH teachers and the national literacy coordinator, Mr. Francis Mendy.
Extra activities such as singing, drama, scripture reading by some of the students from the different clusters and a special performance by the ‘bathiai ‘musical and cultural group took place during the event too.
