The Ephphata Deaf School in Lubumbashi has been providing education for deaf-mute children since 1983. It was set up originally by a black American, Dr Foster, who was himself deaf and had a vision to establish deaf schools across Africa. This school seeks to help students develop the skills necessary to become confident, integrated members of society. Children are enrolled in six grades of primary education, followed by four grades of secondary education where training focuses on carpentry and sewing skills. This is the only school catering for deaf children in Lubumbashi and within a radius of 120 km. Without special education deaf children will not have the opportunity to learn to read and write and increase their chances of employment. The school, which in the beginning opened with only eleven pupils, has grown to educate more than 200 children each year. In 2011 the project started carpentry training for the boys in secondary school, and two new buildings were constructed to accommodate this new initiative. These buildings are fully equipped with tools and machines to train the deaf boys in carpentry skills. There has been a sewing training class for the girls for some years which is ongoing. Educating handicapped children is a low priority for parents struggling financially with larger families.
In recent years funds have enabled the building of a boys’ and a girls’ dormitory. However, the ongoing funding of this boarding facility remains a challenge for some of the poorer parents who cannot afford even the very low fees.
There is a committee of parents and teachers who oversee the running of the school. The project leader has done, and continues to do, an outstanding job in enabling deaf children to prepare for an independent life. He has also established a very vibrant church fellowship for the wider deaf community in that area of Lubumbashi.
Shared Hope is committed to augmenting the salaries of the 16 teachers working at this school.
