This school in Kolwezi was built in 1987 through the influence of a black American, Dr Foster, who was himself deaf, having already established a deaf school in Lubumbashi 4 years previously, sought to augment the number of schools in the subsequent years.
The leader of the school project is also the Head Teacher and there are 10 fully qualified primary school teachers who have taken additional training to equip them to teach deaf children. The school, which is inspected regularly, is overseen by a board composed of five members and is registered with the government as a primary school for special needs children. Although registered with the government it receives little government finance.
There are 70 children in the school who are taught in the government curriculum up to primary six. Secondary school education continues on a relevant programme and in addition, the school embraces a sewing training programme for the girls, giving them skills, which open up possibilities for generating future income. The teacher of this programme is herself disabled and the fact that she works from a wheelchair is an inspiration to the children.
The school has developed a vegetable garden which has the dual benefit of producing food which is used at the school and teaching the children basic horticultural skills. There are few opportunities for disabled young people to secure employment in DR Congo and so this school is an invaluable resource.
This is an excellently run school by experienced and committed staff and is largely dependent on charitable funding. Shared Hope contributes and augments the salaries of the teaching staff.
There is a link between this school and the deaf school in Lubumbashi, in that the Head Teacher, Tchinyama, gives supervisory input to the school which is really appreciated.
