Overview
Bible Society in the South Pacific is working on two new Bible translations and two Bible revisions in the Tongan language. The priority is the completion of the Tongan Contemporary Bible, which will meet the needs of the younger generations, as the translation uses today’s Tongan language.
There is a need in Tonga, reported by church leaders, to make the Bible available in contemporary language, as well as to digitise the Bible, so that as many people as possible can have access to God’s word and be changed by God’s truth.
There are social issues of major concern in Tonga including domestic violence, disintegration of family and kinship, youth unemployment, alcohol and substance abuse. Numbers of secondary school dropouts have increased, especially males, adding to youth unemployment.
In addition to this, the country endured a huge crisis in 2022 with the eruption of the Hunga, a Tongan volcano, 65 km (40 mi) north of the main island of Tongatapu. People are still recovering from the trauma and displacement of the eruption and tsunami, and there is more need than ever for God’s word.
Statistics
- 105,695 is the population of Tonga
- 80k is the number of people this Bible translation project is aiming to impact
- 99.41% literacy rate in Tonga
My Donation
South Pacific: Tongan Translation
If the appeal is oversubscribed or the project changes due to unforeseen reasons, we will reallocate remaining funds to similar projects.
