Interview with Julian Sundersingh

1. How are literacy programmes integral to the Bible movement?

At United Bible Societies we believe that literacy is about dignity, independence and wholeness. Being able to
read and write gives people access to essential information, empowering them to make well-informed decisions
about their lives. It opens up opportunities for employment, further education and helps people get themselves
out of poverty. In short, people who are literate have far better prospects than those who cannot read. As a
result, many non-literates have low self-confidence. Trapped in poverty they feel limited and, often, ashamed.
We believe that everyone should have a chance to learn to read and write and to enjoy life in all its fullness,
which Jesus offers. And we know that reading the Bible can transform lives.

As people begin to understand their value as Gods children, they feel empowered to improve their
circumstances and help their communities. That is why we are running hundreds of literacy classes, helping
hundreds of thousands of people across the world learn to read and write using the Bible.

2. What is the driving force behind our literacy programmes?
Two reasons:
One is the enormous need and the other is the enormous potential it offers for Scripture engagement.
If we look at the latest statistics, it is alarming to note that
a. 775 million people, worldwide, cannot read or write. . . that is 1 in 5 people
b. Two thirds of the worlds non-literate are women
c. Three quarters of the worlds non-literate live in just 10 countries
While these statistics are derived from published data from government sources, the functional literacy can be
far lower than the official literacy in many cases.

Apart from this data that informs us that we need to take care of the needs of millions of non-literates in the
world, literacy is also closely linked to Scripture engagement. Readers are in a position to engage with Scripture
much better than non-readers. This, to me, is an important driving force behind all our literacy initiatives
around the world. This is also reason why we give priority to start literacy programs in languages with new Bible
translation projects in progress, especially if those languages also have a low literacy level.

3. How did you get involved in United Bible Societies literacy programmes?
When I joined UBS as a Consultant in 1991, one of my very first assignments was to help develop the literacy
program of Bangladesh Bible Society. My second major task was to help the Cambodia Bible Society to develop
their literacy program about ten years ago. However, my global coordination role of literacy emerged as a result
of the Literacy Symposium we had in Nairobi, Kenya in 1991 where more than 90 delegates took part from about
45 countries around the world. Since then we have been able to come up with lots of details concerning the
literacy situation of countries and languages around the world which help guide in setting priority attention in
our work.

4. In your experience, have you come across any stories that especially stand out to you?
There have been a number of instances in which our literacy students later became literacy facilitators to help
teach others. That, to me, is quite significant since it is in teaching others that one learns much better than
learning as a student.
It is very gratifying to know that our literacy programs are helping non-literates to read and write, gain more
confidence to face life, change their very attitude in positive direction, and begin to look to Gods Word for life
changing perspective.

The Read to Live program of Latin America is a particular case in point where a systematic campaign has been
undertaken addressing the issue of domestic violence. Our literacy classes have played a pivotal role in bringing
about a transformation in the community.

5. Can you give specific examples of the impact of our Bible Mission Work in Asia?
Asia has the largest number of non-literates as compared to any other continent in the world and over the years
we have impacted many lives through UBS literacy work in countries like Bangladesh, Cambodia, China,
Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea and still we are continuing the work.

6. What are some challenges that our literacy programmes face?
The first challenge is to meet the enormous funding need. There has always been a huge cap between the
literacy need and the financial resources we have been able to raise.
The second challenge is to decide where to direct our limited resources for maximum benefit.
The answer to this question requires multifaceted data regarding the source of funds, the capacity of recipient
countries to deliver programmes, the availability of literacy materials and teachers, the role of partner agencies,
and measurement and compliance issues.
A third challenge is in the area of capacity building of Bible Society staff to either run the literacy programs
themselves or run them in partnership with like-minded agencies.

7. What can people do to help?
It costs an average of $50 to teach non-literate to read and write. If every literate in the world takes this
challenge and meet the need of one or more non-literate, the world would be better place to live in.

8. Any words of encouragement for our readers to raise awareness and support UBS literacy work?
Please join us in our mission to help people gain dignity through literacy and the chance to read the Bible
themselves.