Deaf Education and Vocational Training

Kenya

Much work has been done to standardise Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) so that the deaf across the whole nation can understand and communicate with one another, from Kisumu in the West to Mombasa in the East.  Now KSL is taught to an estimated 2 600 deaf children in 32 specialty primary schools.

One such school was established in 2008 to provide education and vocational assistance for 70 deaf children and 18 young adults.  As the size of the student body grew, so too did the requirements for accommodation and classrooms.  Donor funding has allowed this to happen whilst also expanding the school’s capacity: electricity is now installed, the water well has been improved, crops are being harvested, and livestock has been purchased (including a cow, donkey and chickens).  With the goal of reaching eventual self-sufficiency through income-generating agriculture, continued funding is required to keep the school afloat in the interim. 

Key Areas of Expenditure

• Scholarships for deaf children and young adults
• Teacher training programs
• Building and facility upgrades
• Educational resources including computers and libraries
• Vocational training equipment for computer training, woodwork, carpentry, animal husbandry and farming
• Sign language classes
• Community sport and cultural activities
• Hearing tests
• Support network development