Debbie has always had a deep love for the Scriptures and a passion for education. When she discovered that she could combine both by serving with Wycliffe Australia, she was excited.

After some years of preparation, Debbie headed to Papua New Guinea (PNG) as a literacy technician in 2019, joining the Literacy and Education team of Wycliffe Australia’s partner organisation SIL Papua New Guinea. This role has enabled her to share her love of reading the greatest book ever written.

The literacy team run various courses to help national Papua New Guinean elementary teachers and literacy workers teach reading and writing in local Papua New Guinean languages – the languages they know and understand best.This gives people an educational advantage, and opens up the opportunity for them to be able to read and better understand the translated Scriptures for themselves.

In order for people to practise their new skill of reading, the literacy team also works with translation advisors to prepare books in local languages.
Other courses train teachers to help readers transition from vernacular languages to English – the language of higher education as required by the PNG Government.

Debbie has also been involved in mentoring PNG nationals in these skills.