KonoScripture Engagement
Empower Kono Communities Through Language: Literacy, Scripture, and Spiritual Transformation
Scripture Engagement
Country
- Sierra Leone
Region
- West Africa
Language Population
354,000
Transforming Faith: The Kono Language Journey of Spiritual Awakening
The Jembwe family had difficulty observing the required prayers of a foreign religion, because they didn’t understand the meaning of the words. When they enrolled in a Kono literacy class, the Lord’s Prayer in Kono made them realize they could pray to God in their own language. The Jembwes, now fluent in Kono, became members of the local Lutheran church. “We hope to be members until we join other believers in the life hereafter.”
Since the Kono New Testament’s launch in 2008, a grassroots movement has emerged. Locally-led literacy programs do more than teach reading; they rebuild spiritual connection, restore cultural dignity, and create pathways for community healing. Each literacy graduate becomes a beacon, inviting others into a journey of linguistic and spiritual rediscovery.
In 2025, we’re expanding beyond education—we’re cultivating a holistic approach to faith, language, and community empowerment. By supporting language learning, we’re not just translating words, but translating hope.
Empower Local Leaders
Your partnership enables us to support Kono leaders in developing literacy programs, increasing Scripture accessibility, and nurturing spiritual growth across West African communities.
“To a Kono, everything has a spiritual cause. Their lives have been controlled by fear. Parents put charms around their young children’s waists for protection from evil. Sacrifices are offered in the fields to protect crops. Amulets are hung in doorways to prevent witches from entering. Yet all these things fail. Fear remains. Now is the time for freedom! Now, for the first time, Kono men, women and children can hold in their hands the Word of God—the Kono New Testament. God now speaks their language. Jesus has set the Konos free from the power of the devil, and they can experience freedom from fear.” – The Bible Society of Sierra Leone.
Program Goals
- Literacy and Educational Expansion
- Scripture Engagement Deepening
- Language and Cultural Preservation
- Community Transformation
Kono Scripture Engagement Program Plan
Step 1
Build Educational Infrastructure
- Establish new learning centers
- Recruit and train literacy facilitators
- Develop contextual learning materials, including materials specifically for children
Step 2
Enhance Scripture Engagement
- Support community biblical learning
- Promote and launch Faith Comes by Hearing listening groups
- Develop worship resources, including hosting workshop for composing Scripture songs
Step 3
Empower Community Leadership
- Create pathways for spiritual growth
- Support local language preservation
- Develop multilingual educational strategies
Meet the Local Team
meet the team
Rev. Kpakima – Kono literacy and SE chairman
Mr. Aiah Joe Momoh – Kono literacy and SE coordinator
Mr. John Sesay – Secretary
Mr. Komba Ngaikia – Translation advisor
Mrs. Bondu – Women leader & Proof reader
20 Literacy Facilitators
.
Partner Organizations
Honoring the Language
Over 14 dialects of Northern Kono and Central Kono
Program Progress
Several Kono literacy classes have completed the Primer 2 books and are starting the Kono grammar book.
There is a Kono-speaking community that has an established literacy class. This center graduated its first round of learners, and is now recruiting new learners to start the Primer 1. This group mainly consists of church members who want to read the Bible for themselves.
