Bosnian children delight in learning about spiritual heritage
World Vision has partnered with the local Orthodox Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1995 to develop the hugely successful Youth Bible Curriculum that Tanja talks about. Specifically developed for children of the Orthodox tradition in Eastern Europe, the Youth Bible Curriculum has the full support of the church leaders. The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina includes 37% Bosnian Serbs, mainly Orthodox, and 14% Bosnian Croats, mainly Catholics, according to the World Fact Book, 2007.
During 70 years of communism, children in parts of Eastern Europe were denied the opportunity to learn about the hope, peace and love of Jesus Christ, and they lacked education about biblical norms and values through studying the Bible. Memory of the Bible was nearly erased through several generations.
This book is very interesting. It improves our knowledge. I like it because there are questions after each lesson, which helps me to better understand the lesson.
The curriculum consists of 12 age-appropriate modules and engages the children through interactive games and activities. The children like how the book is structured and how the curriculum uses different methods to engage them in the learning process.
“There are beautiful descriptions, and I enjoy reading the book. It is very easy to learn from this book, much easier than our regular school book,” says Marko. He is one of many children who eagerly look forward to attending the Bible study, even more than school.
“This book is very interesting. It improves our knowledge. I like it because there are questions after each lesson, which helps me to better understand the lesson,” says Sanja, who also attends the Bible study.
“I like when we do exercises in small groups, and then compare our results. I think that is the best way to learn, because some children learn this way even if they didn’t have time to read the lesson. I also like when we draw and paint,” says a girl named Milica.
Through partnership and collaboration, World Vision is distributing 300,000 easy-to-read Youth Bible Curriculum books for children through a network of local churches in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Lebanon and Romania.
But the learning won’t stop with just those 300,000 children who receive the curriculum. Because books are highly valued in Eastern Europe—and often passed from reader to reader—it’s likely that every study guide will be read by as many as three children. Another benefit of the program is that the children are sharing what they learn through the Youth Bible Curriculum with their parents, opening the door for many more to learn about their spiritual heritage.
During 70 years of communism, children in parts of Eastern Europe were denied the opportunity to learn about the hope, peace and love of Jesus Christ, and they lacked education about biblical norms and values through studying the Bible. Memory of the Bible was nearly erased through several generations.
This book is very interesting. It improves our knowledge. I like it because there are questions after each lesson, which helps me to better understand the lesson.
The curriculum consists of 12 age-appropriate modules and engages the children through interactive games and activities. The children like how the book is structured and how the curriculum uses different methods to engage them in the learning process.
“There are beautiful descriptions, and I enjoy reading the book. It is very easy to learn from this book, much easier than our regular school book,” says Marko. He is one of many children who eagerly look forward to attending the Bible study, even more than school.
“This book is very interesting. It improves our knowledge. I like it because there are questions after each lesson, which helps me to better understand the lesson,” says Sanja, who also attends the Bible study.
“I like when we do exercises in small groups, and then compare our results. I think that is the best way to learn, because some children learn this way even if they didn’t have time to read the lesson. I also like when we draw and paint,” says a girl named Milica.
Through partnership and collaboration, World Vision is distributing 300,000 easy-to-read Youth Bible Curriculum books for children through a network of local churches in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Lebanon and Romania.
But the learning won’t stop with just those 300,000 children who receive the curriculum. Because books are highly valued in Eastern Europe—and often passed from reader to reader—it’s likely that every study guide will be read by as many as three children. Another benefit of the program is that the children are sharing what they learn through the Youth Bible Curriculum with their parents, opening the door for many more to learn about their spiritual heritage.
Share