The Kaluli Translation Project seeks to provide vernacular Scriptures so that the Kaluli people can access God’s Words in their own language and experience its life-changing effects. There are approximately 5,000 Kaluli people who live on the northern slopes of Mt. Bosavi in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. They live a subsistence lifestyle in a remote area of tropical jungle with no road access. There are 25 villages, each with a local church connected with the Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea (ECPNG.)

The Kaluli translation work was initiated by the local church, which appointed mother-tongue translators.  Andy and Sylvia Grosh joined the team, and work with them in training and in translation.   In 2023, the Kaluli New Testament, together with the books of Genesis and Ruth were published in print.   The team also recorded a dramatized reading of the entire New Testament in Kaluli, with 68 different Kaluli speakers providing the “voices” of the Scriptures.   They also created several Gospel videos in Kaluli, including a video of the entire Gospel of Mark, as well as some stories from John and from Acts.  

In February, 2024, the Kaluli people held a Kaluli Bible Dedication event to celebrate the arrival of their Scriptures. More than 2,000 Kaluli people gathered for the celebration, along with several hundred people from neighboring language groups (many of whom are bilingual in Kaluli), and some international guests.   Along with distributing the printed Kaluli Bibles, we also distributed solar-powered MP3 players that allow people to listen to the Kaluli Scriptures and Kaluli songs in their homes and while walking on the mountain trails.  We were also able to provide two solar-powered video project kits that can be carried around to the 25 Kaluli villages to show Gospel videos in Kaluli.

There is an ongoing literacy program run by the local church to help both adults and children read the printed Scriptures. We are also seeking to create a local network among the Bible Translation and literacy workers in six translation projects in the wider Bosavi area in order to provide synergy and greater sustainability for all of the ongoing translation projects in the area.

Thank you for considering partnering in Bible translation with Wycliffe and the Kaluli people through your financial and prayer partnership with the Kaluli Translation Project.