Focus on Rwanda
One of our Small Grants projects in Rwanda has improved the prospects for pre-school deaf children by forming self-help groups of teachers, parents and children.
Deaf children in Rwanda rarely go to school and receive very little support. There is stigma attached to deafness and both parents and teachers often feel isolated and have little awareness of a deaf child's potential and the importance of communicating with her or him from an early age. The project DCW supported aimed to address challenges faced by families of deaf children by bringing teachers, parents and their deaf toddlers together.
Teacher training and parent-toddler groups
Rwandan teachers of the deaf received training in early language development, communication skills, and parent guidance. They then worked with parent and deaf toddlers in groups to improve communication and help parents to value their deaf child and nurture his or her potential.
One teacher said “I am very proud to have had this training. I am among the first teachers to learn how to do play skills to help deaf children to communicate. We are starting something new in Rwanda”.
A better relationship between parents and their deaf child
The project made a big change in the families’ lives. By the end of the project parents were enthusiastic and forward looking. Most importantly, children are communicating with each other and their parents.
A parent said “I am so glad to see my son is playing with other deaf children. I can see that there is a future for him. These other children can communicate and little by little my son and I are learning too.”
