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Contact Sign of Hope
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St. Joseph's School for the Deaf
St. Joseph's School for the Deaf, located in Lufwanyama, is the only comprehensive deaf school in the whole country
of Zambia. It is the only chance of an education for most, if not all, of its 153 students. Due to the stigma attached
to deafness here, many children are turned away by their own families! The students board in cramped dorms and children
are turned away from attending every year due to lack of proper facilities. Right now, there are approximately 60 students
waiting to attend the school. After school, very few students attend higher education because there are no stipulations
that professors need to be trained in sign language, creating often insurmountable barriers in communication. Many end up
working menial jobs, if they are lucky, or begging on the streets. This is why I hope to set up a scholarship fund to
Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. I want these children to at least have a fighting chance at a future.
St. Joseph’s is grant aided, which means that the government pays for the teachers’ salaries and some maintenance at
irregular intervals. However, the world wide recession has made it difficult for the government to meet their obligation,
so parents have been asked to pay nominal tuition fees- K720,000 (approximately $180)- which most families cannot meet.
Dedicated teachers and sisters do what they can with the little literature and technology they have. Many supplies are
needed to give these kids a fighting chance in their society!
The Plan:
- Assistive teaching technology, including computer programs for deaf education
- Clothing and shoes
Many of the children there wore very tattered clothing and did not have shoes.
- Basic school supplies
With an extremely stretched budget, basic school supplies come far after food, medical
attention and shelter.
- Projector screen, digital camera
- Medicine for clinic
There is a clinic next door to the school that is in need of basic medicines.
- New bedding (if funds allow)
- Fund for Gallaudet University scholarships
Gallaudet University, located in Washington D.C., is one of the leading universities for
deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Visit their website at www.gallaudet.edu
- Assistive teaching technology, including computer programs for deaf education
- Clothing and shoes
Many of the children there wore very tattered clothing and did not have shoes.
- Basic school supplies
With an extremely stretched budget, basic school supplies come far after food, medical
attention and shelter.
- Projector screen, digital camera
While it may seem extravagant to buy something like this, visual aids are very important in
deaf education. The faculty of the school believe that one of their biggest needs is to
expose the children to the "outside" world. St. Joseph's is located far from any surrounding
towns and they do not even have the funds for a small bus to bring the children outside of the
facility. Although we cannot supply them with a bus, we can provide them with a means of bringing
the "outside" world to them which will further enhance their education.
- Medicine for clinic
There is a clinic next door to the school that is in need of basic medicines.
- New bedding (if funds allow)
- Fund for Gallaudet University scholarships
Gallaudet University, located in Washington D.C., is one of the leading universities for
deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Visit their website at www.gallaudet.edu
Photo Gallery
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St. Joseph's School for the Deaf
P.O. Box 260155
Lufwanyama, Zambia, Africa
Click on the picture below to view gallery
St. Joseph's School for the Deaf
P.O. Box 260155
Lufwanyama, Zambia, Africa