LokoScripture Engagement
Empower Loko communities: expand literacy and Scripture engagement to transform lives through God’s Word.
Scripture Engagement
Country
- Sierra Leone
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
216,000
Breaking Barriers to Scripture Engagement
Since the publication of the Loko New Testament in 1983, it has been a vital resource for connecting people to their faith. However, many still face challenges in reading well enough to fully engage with its message.
A major milestone has been the revival of 18 literacy classes across Loko-speaking communities. Through radio broadcasts showcasing Scripture songs and promoting literacy programs, excitement has grown, drawing more people to join classes and workshops.
Workshops have empowered both young people and adults to read and write for the first time, leading to the creation of new learning centers and schools embracing Loko as a medium of instruction.
This program bridges the gap between literacy and faith, giving everyone—regardless of age or background—the opportunity to learn, grow, and strengthen their connection to God’s Word.
Empower Local Leaders to Transform Communities
Every community deserves access to God’s Word in the language they know best, guided by trusted local leaders. Your financial gifts and prayers support leaders in Sierra Leone as they expand literacy programs and bring Scripture to the Loko-speaking community, empowering individuals and strengthening faith across West Africa.
Program Goals
- Supervise and Expand Literacy Programs
- Enhance Scripture Engagement Initiatives
- Develop and Distribute Teaching Materials
- Celebrate Loko Language and Culture
- Build Sustainable Community Capacity
The Program Plan
Step 1
Build Literacy Foundations
- Conduct Pre-Primer workshops to establish new literacy classes and Primer workshops to enhance existing classes.
- Supervise current literacy classes monthly to ensure quality teaching and engagement.
- Encourage and mentor newly trained facilitators, with 8 new centers supervised twice monthly.
Step 2
Promote Scripture Engagement
- Facilitate radio and film-based Scripture engagement in 30 Loko-speaking communities.
- Mobilize and supervise existing Scripture groups while establishing 5 new groups.
- Organize workshops for composing Scripture songs and dramatizing Bible stories like Jonah and the Prodigal Son.
- Launch 15 Bible listening groups through “Faith Comes By Hearing” workshops.
Step 3
Develop and Distribute Resources
- Host cultural and educational events such as International Literacy Day, Mother Tongue Day, and a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate Loko heritage and program progress.
- Create, review, and refine teaching materials through writers’ and reviewers’ workshops.
- Print and distribute Loko teaching materials, including Pre-Primer and advanced textbooks, hymnals, and literacy class registers.
Meet the Local Team
team members
• Rev. Alimamy T. Bangura – Chairman
• Rev. John T. Sesay – Vice Chairman & Literacy Facilitator
• James S. Bangura – Secretary
• Momodu Sesay – Assistant Secretary
• Mark J. Kanu – Treasurer
team members
• Rev. Kempson Fornah – Master Trainer
• Ibrahim Fornah – Trainer
• Allen L. Kamara – Literacy Consultant
• Marie Kamara – Literacy Subcommittee Chairlady
• 23 Additional Literacy Facilitators
team members
• Rev. Edward K. Kamara – Audio Listening Tutor
• Jeremiah F.M. Kargbo – Scripture Drama Production Chairman
• Mary A.J. Sesay – Scripture Songs Committee Chairlady
• Amadu Conteh – Scripture Songs Composer
• Daniel T. Fornah – Scripture Songs Composer
• Rev. Moses Y.C. Kamara – Translation Committee Chairman
team members
• Amadu Sesay – Literacy Facilitator & Scripture Dramatist
• Alushine Bangura – Literacy Facilitator & Scripture Film Director
• Alie Njala Kamara – Loko Radio Journalist
• Rev. John T. Sesay – Literacy Facilitator
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
Loko belongs to the Niger-Congo language family.
Loko is also known as Landogo, and many speakers reside in the northern province: the Bombali district, the Koya, Ribbi, and Bumpe chiefdoms, and the Sanda Loko chiefdom.
Dialects include: Magbiambo, Gbendembu, Ngoahu, Nagbanmba, Sanda, Laia, Libisegahun, Koya, Ribbi, Buya.
Program Progress
The Loko Literacy and Scripture Engagement program is diligently working towards enhancing literacy rates and deepening Scripture engagement within the Loko-speaking community, creating a ripple effect of educational and spiritual growth across generations.
Progress Update
- Teaching materials for various literacy levels have been successfully developed, with a special focus on cultural relevancy and pedagogical effectiveness.
- Over 50 literacy primers and supplementary readers have been published, now in active use across multiple learning centers.
- Customized content reflective of the Loko dialects and traditions is enhancing learners’ experience and retention.
- Supervisory visits have been regularly conducted to both new and existing literacy and FCBH programs, which has significantly improved program delivery and resource allocation.
- Newly established literacy programs received bi-monthly supervisory support, resulting in a 40% increase in consistent attendance and learning outcomes.
- Established programs benefited from monthly visits, leading to a strengthened network of volunteer literacy teachers and community facilitators.
- A series of educational workshops have been rolled out, establishing foundations for literacy and paving the way for inclusive Scripture engagement within the community.
- The pre-primer workshop prepared 20 participants to launch new literacy classes, expanding the program’s reach.
- Primer book 2 and 3 workshops educated 60 learners, advancing their literacy and equipping them with the skills to delve deeper into Scripture.
- The writers’ workshop cultivated a group of 12 local content creators, injecting local narratives and strengthening cultural ties to literacy.
- An advanced workshop for developing supplementary reading material brought together seven participants, demonstrating the program’s commitment to supporting continuous educational progression.
