One of the deaf children.
We had the privilege of meeting with a new school that started up in Haiti – a school for the deaf. Right now, there is only one other school for children that are deaf in the whole country of Haiti. These kids are truly vulnerable, given no chance to be anything in society. As of right now, there are 25 kids that go to school here and there is a waiting list of 50 more. But they can’t expand and offer their programs to more children until they become funded.
What do you think? Can we fund them? Watch the video and comment below and let us know what you think.
This was an incredible God thing on our trip with John Robert. We asked him how he operates and his answer was “By Faith”
What city is this school in? I would love to visit it on my next trip to Haiti. My son is Deaf and last year when I went to Haiti I asked everyone if they knew any Deaf Haitians and no one could point me to any.
This is in La Juene, which is just South of Pignon. It is in the rural country side and just started in January. They are able to pay one teacher right now and have 6 people who volunteer. And their waiting list is 50.
There are at least 7 more schools for the Deaf in Haiti. The larger ones are in the capital (2) and in Jacmel (1). I have had the privilege of volunteering at 4 of the schools in different parts of the country over the last 7 years teaching both the teachers and students. There are very strong Deaf communities in Port au Prince, Jacmel and Leveque. The government is currently working on establishing Haitian Sign Language as the official language of the Deaf in Haiti but many of the schools also teach American Sign Language. Let me know if I can be of any assistance to you as our sign language and National curriculum teaching materials have been translated into French and Creole.
Are there any computer programs that teach sign language that would be usable in a small school for the deaf in Haiti? I am very concerned!