The Bible Society of Namibia is calling on Namibians to participate in its annual ‘Walk for Bibles’ campaign this October, with funds raised going towards distributing Bibles to people who do not have them and making the scriptures more affordable.
The campaign allows participants to walk any day, at anytime and anywhere in Namibia throughout October, with an entry fee of N$100 per person. Participants can walk individually or organise groups with family members, friends, colleagues, or church communities.
Charles Waters, the Bible Society of Namibia’s Marketing and Fundraising Officer, said the campaign was aimed at ensuring that more Namibians could access the Bible, regardless of their financial circumstances.
“The goal of ‘Walk for Bibles’ is to raise funds to make Bibles available to those who don’t have it and also to make Bibles more affordable to those who can afford it,” Waters said in an interview with New Era.
He said the money raised would support Bible distribution initiatives, particularly for people who cannot afford to buy their own copies.
Waters said the campaign was designed to make participation easier than in previous years by allowing people to choose when and where to walk during October.
Participants can register through the Bible Society’s website or collect registration forms from its offices.
Participation
Waters said the society had received interest from people in smaller towns and settlements who wanted to participate but could not afford the N$100 entry fee.
He said communities could organise group walks and contribute amounts they could afford, allowing people from different financial backgrounds to take part.
“For example, if it’s N$5 that a person or the community can afford, then you can organise a group walk for the church,” he said.
He added that the initiative was not only about raising money but also about encouraging communities to work together towards making Bibles accessible to more people.
Waters, who said he participated in the walk for the second time this year, said the campaign gave participants an opportunity to contribute to a cause beyond the entry fee.
“Every step you take, you can feel the change that you’re making of bringing the Bible into the hands of those who do not have it or cannot afford it,” he said.
Bible sales
Waters said the Bible Society’s work extended beyond selling Bibles to include distribution, translation and programmes aimed at helping people understand and engage with the scriptures.
He said the society worked with churches and community leaders to identify people who needed Bibles, particularly in communities where access remained a challenge.
The organisation also uses Bible sales and information collected through its outreach programmes to guide its distribution efforts.
Waters said it was difficult to determine exactly how many Namibians did not have access to a Bible because some people might have lost their copies or given them away. The society therefore continued to rely on outreach activities, community networks and fundraising campaigns to reach people in need.
He said the organisation was also working on more affordable editions of the Bible in Oshikwanyama and Oshindonga, alongside oral Bible initiatives and sign-language translation.
The oral Bible programmes allow people to listen to recorded scriptures using listening devices, while sign-language translation aims to improve access for people with hearing impairments.
Waters said the society wanted people, particularly young people, to understand that the Bible was not exclusively for church activities.
He described it as a resource people could use for personal guidance and reflection.
Youth
Waters encouraged young people who do not have Bibles to approach their local churches, pastors and church leaders to find out how they can access the scriptures through available programmes.
“My message, especially to the youth who don’t have a Bible or who might need a Bible, is that there are so many ways you can reach a Bible instead of waiting,” he said.
He said young people could also participate in initiatives such as the Walk for Bibles campaign and connect with others who share the same goal of making Bibles accessible. Waters said participants could become part of a community where they would receive information about future programmes and opportunities to access the Bible.
“Go to your local churches, form your groups, talk to your pastor or church leaders and find out ways how you can reach us, and we can see then what projects, what programmes we can start with you to get the Bible in your hands and also in the hands of someone next to you,” he said.
He said the ‘Walk for Bibles’ campaign was open to individuals and groups across Namibia throughout October, allowing participants to walk at any time and in any location.
Registration is available at www.namibible.org.na, while enquiries can be directed to the Bible Society of Namibia via WhatsApp on 08126 0029.
-ljason@nepc.com.na
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