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SOCIAL ACTION
In Kisangani, the Hope Centre exists to provide for the needs of the deaf
and dumb.
The Centre has opted for a follow-up policy among their families
Recently in Kisangani, two young deaf and dumb people got married. Bernard Kithima is a carpenter and Nicole Bondo is a dressmaker. Such a marriage does not take place very often, but the very fact of it happening challenges us to consider seriously the future of those among us with hearing and speech problems.
Indeed, we should all be concerned. The deaf and dumb have rights and needs that not everyone seems aware of. They need to be understood, encouraged and given appropriate training so they can play their full part in the general community. Like other people, they are entitled to be taught reading and writing — but through the medium of sign language. All over the world there are many schools and institutions specifically designed to assist the deaf and dumb. Gallaudet University in the United States, is the only university in the world specifically designed for the deaf. Congo RDC has Centres for the deaf in Kinshasa, Tshumbe, Beno, Nyankunde, etc.
The Hope Centre for the Deaf
The Centre at Kisangani is called The Hope Centre For The Deaf (CES). It was established in 1987 by Reverend Kamonyo Botanyi, with the support and backup of Doctor Foster of the Christian Mission for the Deaf. Both the deaf, and the deaf and dumb are educated there, and now children with normal hearing but coming from families with deaf members, can also attend the Centre. The Centre’s founders have a number of aims: Educating the deaf using suitable means; training personnel for the Centre; providing religious education; informing the general public about issues connected with deafness; teaching parents the sign language; publicizing the sign language; defending the rights of the deaf; providing vocational training.
The Hope Centre has a staff of 34; it has already trained 10 carpenters, 32 dressmakers, 4 primary school teachers and a car mechanic. Thanks to a team of 10 experts, the Centre is also well on the way to finalise a sign language project for the deaf, adapted to the realities of living in Kisangani and surrounding areas. The Centre has temporary accommodation in a building belonging to the Government but has managed to acquire land on which, with great difficulty, a building has already been started. This will eventually form part of a complex which will include a school, dispensary, sewing workshop, engineering workshop, etc. It also organizes extra-curricula activities: football, bible camps, religious worships, study trips.
Follow-up in the families
Great care is taken about a follow-up programme for children who have been trained at the Centre. They’re not left to fend for themselves once they leave the Centre. In spite of the fact that some parents regard their deaf children as a curse on the family, the Centre takes care to visit the families of deaf pupils whilst the young people are still at the Centre. Once the training programme is completed, the visits in the families are continued. This is clear proof that both school and families endeavour to work together for the childrens’ benefit. During the visits, parents have the opportunity of discussing their childrens’ problems with the staff. And at the same time, the staff can verify for themselves how their support for the deaf and dumb children is helping them to live normal lives within the local community.
Parents must obviously work closely with the Centre but there are other groups and organisations taking a practical interest in furthering the Centre’s aims. For example: the Church of Christ in Congo; Working Together For Peace, the regional Council of NGO‘s working for development, the Christian Mission for the Deaf, amongst others.
Reverend Kamonyo is CES‘s director and he has ev-ery hope that the Centre will have a promising future. The special equipment used in educating the deaf and dumb will be improved. New buildings are the order of the day. Deaf people will be able to specialize at a higher level of education. A special section for blind deaf and dumb blind people will be opened. Facilities will be available to train people willing to teach the sign language; likewise for people willing to teach religion via the sign language. Every September, there’s an International Week of the Deaf and special events will be organised during the Week.
Why are some people deaf? There’s a number of reasons. Deafness can be hereditary, or can be acquired during the antenatal period or after birth, resulting from various diseases.
The Hope Centre deserves our support, not only because it looks after handicapped people, but also because it teaches the deaf how to come to terms with their handicap and to look after themselves. An example to be encouraged.
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