Send deaf Tanzanian children to school

Deaf children in Tanzania rarely get the chance to go to their local school. Often they fail to get an education or learn sign language and are ostracised from their community, unable to communicate.

Rebeca tells her story:

I am Rebeca, i am a deaf girl who missed the chance to attend school.

I am coming from Iringa Mvumi village 70km south from Dodoma town.

I was isolated by the community except my family and i had no ability to express my feelings to them.

Then in June 2023 DCT deaf ministry team visited my village and I am among the two deaf girls from the village who got a chance to join the Matumbulu deaf VTC.

Now i can communicate through Tanzanian Sign Language, i can express all my views, attend worshiping services at church as there is a translator.

I am studying sewing and i can make female pads and clothes which is wonderful. I want to continue with my studies and get better at sewing.

Learning sign language means I can communicate with my fellow deaf community here at Matumbulu. I am no longer isolated.

There are thousands of girls like Rebeca, still silent and isolated in their villages.

Please help us give them a voice. 

With gratitude

Patrick

Students at Matumbulu and Kigwe were very grateful to return back to school this week following the holidays.

Often holidays can be stressful times as there may not be many people in the village children can easily communicate with,leading to frustration, isolation and loneliness. Furthermore in the impoverished villages they come from there is often little opportunity for play.

Now back at school everyone can sign and children are grateful to be back with friends, new and old, and keen to resume their learning.

This includes learning new skills such as table tennis, which has been a great hit at Matumbulu.  Students at the centre made the table with generous funding from Bounce, and are very much enjoying playing together when formal learning has finished for the day.  When funding allows we hope to get a table at Kigwe too.

Many thanks for your generosity in supporting this project.

Regards, Patrick