The Mato Language Project began in 1997, and the New Testament was dedicated on August 14, 2019. Since then, the neighboring language Uma has been added to the project. The Mato are being trained to translate the Old Testament, and the Uma are being trained to translate the New Testament, using machine-based translation software to generate a first draft from Mato. Mato and Uma are 58% similar. With this inclusion, the project name has changed to the Momabo Cluster Project. Momabo is an acronym for Morobe-Madang border, where these languages are located.

Both languages have completed Translators Training Course I and are scheduled to take Translators Training Course II in 2026. While the Mato translation team has been working in Genesis, the Uma translation team has completed a first draft of Mark, including refinement of the processing rules in the machine-based translation software. They expect to finish their Mark edits in 2025 and also work on Luke and James.

The Momabo Cluster Project fund pays for manager travel, local language team costs including travel, training, food, housing, equipment, stipends, and printing costs.

Thank you for considering partnering in Bible translation with Wycliffe through your financial and prayer partnership of the Momabo Cluster project.