Training in Ethiopia

REPORT ON TRAINING IN ETHIOPIA

Tessema Wachemo
National Director, TWFTW Ethiopia

This year we had two major events in regards to our training programme. These are the diploma ceremony for those who have finished their studies and the training session for the new intakes. By God’s grace each programme went well and we are thankful to God and for those who are part of this success one way or the other. We would like to highlight each event as follows:

The Diploma Ceremony

Unexpectedly the 17th of July 2010 was a sunny day though we were experiencing so much rain at the time. This gave a good atmosphere for all our diplomates and invited guests as well. The Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church central office compound became crowded with most of our prospective diplomates, current trainees and invited guests for this special event and with posters, bunches of flowers and different messages for prospective diplomates.  When the ceremony time approached all the invited guests, representatives from different organizations and churches took their seats and then the diplomates got into the hall according to their lists.

The whole programme was facilitated by Tesfaye Bekema, Assistant National Director, TWFTW Ethiopia.

Welcome and congratulation speech was done by Tessema Wachemo and then opening prayer by an SIL Ethiopia representative.

Right after opening the programme in prayer, we had a worship time with the solo singer. He is from one of the evangelical churches and recently becoming well known for his Amharic and English songs.

Then Dr Erimas Mamo from Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST) shared the Word of God from the book of Acts chapter 2.

After the preaching the Diplomas and Certificates were presented to the students by Dr Regine Koroma, TWFTW International Training Director.

A total of 39 students received a Diploma in Bible Translation, and 7 students received Certificates. The diplomates represented 23 different languages of Ethiopia. Most of them were from existing Bible translation projects and a few of them were from possible projects in the near future. Twelve of the diplomates were from SIL Ethiopia translation projects whose training expenses were covered by their respective translation projects.

During the diploma ceremony two awards were given to two selected diplomates. The first award went to Birhanu Erango who got highest score in the whole training, and the second award was presented to Tesfaye Tole.  This award is based on spiritual maturity and commitment during the training. These academic and spiritual maturity awards were delivered by TWFTW Ethiopia Executive Board member Mr Tenkir Teni. Following his presentation of awards he extended his congratulation message to each diplomate and appreciation to TWFTW International for its commitment to and impact on Ethiopian churches and nations in providing God’s Word in the language that people understand best.

Finally, Dr Regine Koroma made concluding remarks and extended congratulations to each diplomate.  Once Dr Regine concluded her speech, there was a Prayer of Dedication for the diplomates. All the church leaders and delegates from different organizations stretched their hands toward the diplomates in prayer as Douglas Blacksten, the Deputy Director of SIL Ethiopia, led in prayer.

 After the diploma ceremony was over individual and group photographing was done and then lunch was provided at the same compound which was prepared by the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church central office cafeteria. 

Testimonies from the Diplomates

Yohannes Gashe (Dirayta Bible Translation Project – SIL)

‘I got good knowledge and skill to develop the orthography of my language through TWFTW Training’ 

‘I learned a great lesson from the lecture and lecturers’ life for the growth of my Christian faith and spiritual ministry that I am engaged in’

‘Through this training I met different trainees from different backgrounds and language groups and this helped me a lot to grasp new insights and share experiences.’

‘I wish if this training could be upgraded to the next level so that we would continue our education for the better quality work in the areas where we are assigned to’.
Ketsela Kankura (Sidama Bible Translation Project – Ethiopian Bible Society)

‘TWFTW Training gave me full confidence to translate the Bible into my mother tongue.’

‘I realized and came to understand the exegesis of the Bible through TWFTW training programme.’
Tesfaye Tole (Gamo Bible Translation Project – TWFTW)

‘I came to understand through TWFTW training what accuracy, clarity and naturalness meant and this helped me to translate the Word of God in my language in the way it gives meanings.’

‘I understood the principles of translation through TWFTW training programme so that I could translate God’s Word properly in my language without changing the original meaning of the text.’

‘I am grateful to God and to TWFTW as a whole to get this opportunity to be trained and become Bible translator in my old age.’

2010 Training Programme, July 5 – 30, 2010

This year we received 40 students from 20 different language groups. Fourteen of them are from TWFTW existing translation projects and three of them are from Oyida and Konta projects which TWFTW Ethiopia will be setting up as new Bible Translation projects possibly in September 2010. Nineteen of them are from SIL Ethiopia translation projects and two of them are from Mekane Yesus church translation project. The other two students are from Uduk language of Sudan which is mainly handled by SIM Sudan and Pioneer Bible Translators.

Courses taught

This year we offered six courses and five people taught the courses as follows:

Bible Translation and Mission – by Dr Regine Koroma

Semantics – by Dr Regine Koroma

The Principles of Bible Translation – by Andinet Meaza

The Process of Bible Translation – by Tesfaye Bekema

Sociolinguistics – by Tesfaye Bekema

Exegesis: Methodology – by Tessema Wachemo

Exegesis: NT – by Mintesinot Biru

Generally, most students who attended the training enjoyed the courses and its content. According to them each instructor prepared well for the courses and delivered the lesson well.  As most of the trainees commented ‘we are privileged to attend the lecture in this way and we believe that this training gives us courage and confidence to translate God’s Word in our language diligently and boldly.’ 

Course Materials

Most lecture materials were translated into Amharic so that the trainees could attend the lecture optimally. Since the medium of instruction was both in Amharic and English the translated materials were copied and given to those students who do not understand English well. 

Expenses

From the total number of 40 students, 21 were fully sponsored by the TWFTW and the expenses covered daily allowance, transportation, medical, stationery and photocopies of course materials.  SIL Ethiopia covered daily per diems and transportation for 19 students who were sent by their respective translation projects.

Director of Training, TWFTW Ethiopia

After  discussions with Dr Regine Koroma, Andinet Meaza was given full responsibility to coordinate the training programme in addition to his other responsibilities within the organization. So as of July 2010 Andinet Meaza is the Director of Training for Ethiopia.  He is also Projects Coordinator.  

Praise:
We thank God for giving us a good time of teaching and learning.

We thank God for bringing each trainee safely and keeping all the instructors and students safe and healthy during the training.

We thank Kobus van Aswegen and our supporters in providing us with the needed funds.

Please pray

For God’s provision of funds for our future training programme.

For the next training proposed dates: July 11 to August 5, 2011 so that God would provide us with what will be needed for the entire training event.