The Land and Its People
The Solomon Islands are an archipelago—992 islands spread over 280,000 square miles in the South Pacific about 1,200 miles northeast of Australia. The islands consist of rugged mountains and coral reefs. Most of the roads are unpaved, and many islands are accessible only by boat. The climate is tropical monsoon, with temperatures varying little throughout the year.
The Solomon Islands are one nation, but have 100 different culture groups across the islands. Many Solomon Islanders speak a common Pidgin, while a few speak English. Many of them are subsistence farmers and live a day-to-day existence. The annual per capita income is less than $1,000. They have a strong attachment to the land and are more loyal to clan and people groups than to a single national identity.
Bible Translation Needs
The Solomon Islands are home to an estimated 600,000 people who speak over 120 languages. Most do not have the Bible in their own language. Currently, 16 Bible translation projects have been completed, and 17 projects are underway. Additional language projects are planned, once facilities become available to train additional translators.
One of the major support projects underway is the construction of the Solomon Islands Training Center. This new training facility will centralize translation resources and make it possible for translators to work on projects at any time. “Current facilities are inadequate for the current training program. We simply don’t have enough room,” says Greg Conwell, director of the Solomon Islands Translation Advisory Group. According to Bruce Smith, president and CEO of Wycliffe Associates, “People eager to help with Bible translation in their own languages are literally being turned away, simply for lack of space.”
See more details about volunteering in the Solomon Islands
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