Our History

SIL begins work in Papua New Guinea

An Act of the Independent State of PNG incorporates SIL-PNG

SIL Aviation begins using a Cessna 170 leased from the Lutheran Church

The PNG Director of Education asks SIL-PNG to train government officials

SIL-PNG receives UNESCO Literacy Award

1st New Testament translation is dedicated (West Kewa language)

SIL-PNG signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PNG National Department of Education

SIL-PNG begins teaching the National Translator Training Course (TTC) at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG)

SIL-PNG receives a second UNESCO Literacy Award

The PNG Bible Translation Association (PNGBTA) forms in partnership with SIL-PNG

SIL-PNG seconds literacy specialists to the National Department of Education

100th New Testament translation is dedicated (Manam language)

SIL-PNG establishes a Training Centre in Ukarumpa

SIL-PNG publishes the 50th edition of ‘Data Papers on Papua New Guinea Languages’, documenting and preserving PNG’s languages

His Excellency Governor-General Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane marks SIL-PNG’s 50th anniversary

SIL-PNG begins a Church Engagement Partnership with PNGBTA

The Bible Bilum Partnership forms with churches and Bible translation organisations active in PNG, including SIL-PNG

200th New Testament translation is dedicated (Konai language)

SIL-PNG partners with Save the Children and delivers solar-powered literacy tools to 30 schools

SIL-PNG establishes Linguistics Consultant Resourcing of PNG (LingCrop) and begins training PNG linguistic consultants

500th Bloom book is published in a PNG language