SIL Global

Language should never be a barrier to inclusion. Grateful for partners like Kupenda for the children!

More than 50 million people around the world speak Amharic. Thanks to a new partnership between Kupenda and SIL Global, they now have access to our training program that equips parents and caregivers to become advocates for their children with disabilities.

Disability stigma exists around the world. In Ethiopia alone, more than 32 million people speak Amharic, and harmful beliefs about disability continue to prevent many children from accessing education, health care, and full inclusion in their communities. But now, using our newly translated workshop guide, SIL is equipping Ethiopian organizations and community leaders to help parents understand that disabilities are not caused by curses, witchcraft, or sin, but by medical conditions, and that every child has inherent worth and the right to learn, receive appropriate medical care, and participate fully in family and community life.

Making this resource available in Amharic means more local leaders can deliver these workshops in their own communities, creating lasting, grassroots change that transforms families and reduces disability stigma for future generations.

Language should never be a barrier to inclusion. Together, Kupenda and SIL are breaking down that barrier. In the coming year, we plan to translate more of Kupenda's disability training tools into new languages, including Swahili and Spanish, bringing these resources closer to the people who will use them to change children's lives.

Download the free Amharic Parents Workshop guide here: https://kupenda.org/resources/parents-caregivers/

Founded in 1951, SIL's Ethnologue is a trusted source of language information for 7,170 living languages.

Try Ethnologue's free language game today! How many languages can you match to their origin country? 🗺️ https://languageid.com/

When stories matter, the journey is worth it. 🧡

People are traveling vast distances—even navigating areas affected by civil conflict—to attend Oral Bible Storytelling workshops in Cameroon.

For communities without a written translated Bible, these stories provide immediate access to Scripture, allowing storytellers to share God's Word right away.

Each time a story is told, the communities take a vital step forward in keeping their faith, and language, vibrant.

Read more: https://ow.ly/rEgV50ZB9LV

When communities can access vital information and express themselves in the language of the heart, they are better equipped to strengthen relationships, care for one another, and live with confidence and dignity.

In Northern Thailand, a Hmong mother and her young son, Alang, went for a walk together. Suddenly, Alang broke the silence, shouting, “Look, Mom, look!”

He found a banana leaf, which is used for a very special purpose by his people.

Alang gently curled the leaf and brought it to his mouth to blow — creating a melodic whistle.

In the Hmong culture, "leaf speaking" is a traditional way of communicating across long distances by mimicking the eight tones of the Hmong language.

Have you ever heard of leaf speaking?

What if the key to unlocking a love of learning wasn't a new curriculum, but a familiar language?

As a child, Pim attended a school where she couldn't learn in her Hmong language. Struggling to understand, she was often scolded for making mistakes and carried that shame with her for years.

Today, she's creating a different experience for her students.

By weaving Hmong songs, local materials like bamboo sticks and fishing baskets, and cultural knowledge into her lessons, Pim has transformed her classroom into a place where children are engaged, confident, and eager to learn.

Pim's classroom is living proof that language and culture aren't obstacles to education—they're some of its greatest strengths. 👏

Human trafficking is a devastating and growing crime that exploits children, women, and men worldwide.

There are many organizations across the globe actively engaged in the fight against human trafficking. SIL Global is uniquely equipped to support and scale their efforts through the lens of local language and culture.

Learn how local-language resources are helping communities recognize and respond to human trafficking: https://ow.ly/JtWG50Zu1IY

For 34 years, Esther has cared for her daughter Naomi, who cannot speak or feed herself. Behind her strength was years of unspoken grief.

After joining a Trauma Healing group led by SIL Kenya, Esther found the words to share her pain and the freedom to forgive those who had hurt her and her daughter.

Today, SIL's trauma healing materials are available in 175+ languages — because healing begins in the language of the heart.💙

📽️ Watch Esther's story: [link in comments]

SIL Africa