Communication Setups for Regional Centers

Life in Papua New Guinea presents major obstacles for Bible translators and linguists. Among these are poor communications services.

This affects all translation, literacy, and training projects in the country. Many have difficulty receiving e-mail, let alone making an emergency call, accessing online resources, or receiving computer help. Poor communications services require consultants and trainers to travel to regional centers—adding costs and delays.

At present, almost all regional translation centers in Papua New Guinea have poor Internet and phone connections, even in major cities. Most areas don’t have adequate infrastructure, so service often is unavailable. And where it is available, it’s expensive.

By partnering with JAARS, you can help provide Internet connections, local area networks, and administrative computers at eight regional centers—changing the way translation is accomplished. How? Teams will be able to:

• back up language data without traveling to the main translation offices in Ukarumpa
• work with consultants and mentors—even ones across the globe
• access distance learning and research materials on the Internet
• get crucial computer help