In line with their efforts to ensure God’s word is accessible to all, Jehovah’s Witnesses have released a Zimbabwe Sign Language Bible in video format at the Sign language convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses held in Harare yesterday.
This release was for the entire Christian Greek Scriptures also known as the New Testament.
The whole project will take about 10 years to translate from Genesis to Revelation.
The sign language convention was attended by over 500 deaf people from around the country, and the attendees expressed gratitude for this special gift.
“I am happy to receive this translation that is easy to understand. English is difficult for me, now l can understand the Bible better in my own language.
“I can share Bible verses with others more quickly now” said one of the recipients of the new Bible.
“We are excited to have this release that will greatly benefit deaf people in Zimbabwe,” said Kudakwashe Chikuvadze, the national spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“This special sign language Bible release has been one of the highlights of our conventions in the country this year and will directly benefit many deaf people who didn’t have a Bible in Zimbabwe.”
Before the release of the Zimbabwe sign language Bible, most deaf people had to rely on someone to read the Bible for them, since a number of them have difficulty understanding written languages. However, this sign language translation will help them understand and see for themselves what God plans for and expects of all humans.
According to The World Health Organization’s (WHO) statistics hearing disability in Zimbabwe ranges from 4% to 6% of the general population.
This means that approximately 520 000 to 780 000 people live with hearing disability in Zimbabwe. Now the deaf community can study the Bible in their language.
This Bible is also available on jw.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses.