March 2020 - Impact of Covid-19

​On March 15th, the Ugandan Government announced the closure of all schools. Many of our deaf children are boarders, so they were sent home to their villages. Trustees considered whether it was possible to find ways to support the children’s education during school closure. However, the terms of the lockdown are very restrictive with all transport and travel banned. The impact on many families will be severe. Most depend upon daily earning which is not possible during the lockdown. In urban settings most people live in small one or two room houses in close proximity to each other. The concept of social isolation is impossible to achieve for many people. Access to health care is limited by availability and cost.

The Government has announced that schools will re-open as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond as best we can. We have provided some additional funds to allow materials to be delivered to the homes of the deaf children so they can continue some of their educational activities. Our sponsored workers are still supported financially by Jinja DEAF (JD) and so will be ready to begin working as soon as the schools reopen.
 
We are very grateful if you are able to help support the students further at this uncertain time.

​Please make a donation here.

March 2020

​More photos with thanks to David, Emma and Sebastian.

 5 Feb 2020 - New School Building in Jinja

Images courtesy of Sebastian from OPDC show Charles helping out in laying foundations for a new deaf school which OPDC are planning. Charles received Jinja DEAF sponsorship to complete the end of Secondary Education and is currently awaiting results to know whether he can go on to university or teacher training.

May 2019 - William Patten International Fundraising Evening

William Patten Primary School in London hosted an International Evening to fundraise for Jinja Deaf. The pupils showcased their many talents including New York 'Annie' themed gymnastics, New Zealand ukulele songs, Caribbean steel pans and these fearsome fencers. Photos thanks to Emma.

April 2019 - Walakuba West Short Film

​Jinja DEAF trustees Emma and Dom went to Uganda for a self funded family trip with their son Ronnie and daughter Alisa. They were able to also spend two weeks in Jinja visiting our sponsored staff at the schools and seeing the support work run by our local partner OPDC.
 
The children were very interested by the differences and similarities they saw. They were interested that the sign language used in the UK, British Sign Language (BSL) is different from the language they use (Ugandan Sign Language) and they were interested to learn that the deaf pupils at Frank Barnes all travel to school every day in buses or taxis, some for an hour or more, instead of boarding at school.
 
Some of the pupils at Walukuba West then recorded an introduction to their school and neighbourhood, which was edited into a short film by a volunteer in London, Azeem Mustafa.
 
The children at Kyomya also helped film a tour of their school and village, which will hopefully be edited in due course.

15 March 2019 - William Patten School Fun Run Fundraiser

​81 families, including 134 primary school children, made it round Clissold Park, London in their pyjamas today and enjoyed a colourful cake sale to raise an amazing £1,546 (7.3 million UGX) for Jinja DEAF.
​
A huge thank you to all the parents, staff and children involved!

March 2019 - Partnership with OPDC

This year, we entered into an exciting new partnership with Organisation for Parents of Deaf Children (OPDC) to act as our representative in Jinja. They have been an invaluable source of information to us as Trustees and also in supporting us recognise and tackle challenges faced by pupils, parents and sponsored workers.

In 2014, we collaborated with a Soft Power Education to deliver our first Ugandan Sign Language workshops for parents.  For many parents this was not only their first opportunity to learn to communicate with their children more fully, it was also their first opportunity to get to know other parents in the same situation.  Some enthusiastic and motivated participants then went on to found their own support group: OPDC.

OPDC has done some wonderful work advocating for the needs, rights and potential of deaf children.  They have even been on local radio, using a medium which is widely accessed even in remote rural areas without electricity. 

Thanks to the Jinja DEAF funded program, each of Jinja's 12 subcounties now has an OPDC 'Parent Support Link'.  These Parent Support Links are parents who have committed to reaching out to other parents with deaf children in their area and co-ordinating a local self-help group at the sub-county level.  This is a great achievement in a culture which has traditionally considered having a deaf child as something to be ashamed of and hidden away.

We are therefore very proud to continue our longstanding collaboration!

13 Dec 2018 - William Patten Primary School Christmas Carols Concert

We have an exciting new partnership with William Patten Primary School in East London. They've already raised an incredible £868 for Jinja DEAF at their Christmas Concert. 

We're very excited that you've exchanged photos and questions with our schools in Jinja, put on special assemblies and shows, and even recently made sign language your "language of the month".

What a fabulous start to the schools' partnership project!

Dec 2018 - Crafts and More at Kyomya Primary School

Photos courtesy of Juliet taken throughout the year.

Nov 2018 - Christmas Wishes

Photo courtesy of Victoria at Walukuba West Primary School, Jinja with a special message written on the blackboard for our partner William Patten School, London.

March 2018 - "The Silent Child" wins Best Short Film Oscar

Set in rural England and Inspired by real life events, The Silent Child film centres around a profoundly deaf four year old girl named Libby who is born into a middle class family and lives in a world of silence until a caring social worker teaches her the gift of communication. 

An insightful short story, inspired by real life events, observing one of the loneliest disabilities and the avoidable struggles that deaf children face. Find out more here.

Dec 2017 - Kyomya Primary School

Photos courtesy of Juliet taken over the year.

Nov 2017 - OPDC Meeting

Photos at both Kyomya and Walukuba West schools with a self-funded visit from then chairman David Johnstone. Afterwards, a meeting of parents from ODPC .

Sept 2017 - Joint School Trip to the Zoo

We funded a school outing to the capital city of Uganda, Kampala. Deaf children from three schools in Jinja (Kyomya, Walukuba West and Busoga) had a day out by bus. They drove through the Nile Mabira forest, and then had two very exciting destinations in Kampala. Much of the day was spent at the zoo, where the children saw elephants and giraffes, and especially enjoyed camel rides. The outing was a wonderful opportunity for deaf children to make friends with children from other schools, and to be able to experience stimulating events in Kampala, supported by signing interpreters. Thanks to Moses Lamele for the photos.

July 2017 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos from Victoria taken over the second term of 2017.

May 2017 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos taken by Yaziidi over the first term of 2017.

March 2017 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos courtesy of Victoria taken over the first term of 2017.

March 2017 - Kyomya Primary School

Photos courtesy of Juliet taken over the first term of 2017.

Dec 2016 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos thanks to Victoria, taken over the third term of 2016.

Dec 2016 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos courtesy of Yaziidi taken over the third term of 2016.

30 Sept 2016 - International Deaf Awareness Week

This year's event took place in Lira, Northern Uganda. We helped to fund the one-day attendance for twenty deaf children and nine staff drawn from Busoga Junior School as well as from the two schools where we sponsor workers.  The children enjoyed the opportunity to meet other deaf children from around the country, and celebrate achievements and motivational activities

5-9 Sept 2016 - Sign Language Workshop for Parents

During his visit to Jinja in January 2016, our Trustee David found that the deaf pupils were eager learners but were often still very isolated outside of their school environment.  The trustees decided that this year it would be very useful to support the funding of another sign language course for parents.

This course was the first that was open to parents of children at all four of the schools in Jinja District that have provision for deaf children. Thanks are due to OPDC (Organization of Parents with Disabled Children) who used their contacts to recruit the 34 parents attending. We received a very generous donation from TCR (ground support equipment leasing at airports) to cover approximately half of the costs. We had invaluable local organisational support from Emily, who is in charge of Special Educational Needs Programme at Soft Power Education (SPE).

​Emily reported that 'everybody was having fun ... there was a nice atmosphere ... I couldn't believe how much the parents had retained'. Mentor student Charles was excited to be able to share his skills as a fluent deaf signer. Charles described attending the course as 'the first big experience of his life'.

July 2016

Photos taken at various location during second term of 2016.

22 May 2016 - Jinja DEAF Party 

Fundraising event hosted by Joanna (founder Emma's mother) in the UK.

Apr 2016 - First Term at Walukua West Primary School

Dec 2015 - Kyomya Primary School

Photos thanks to David Johnstone, then Chairman, on a self-funded visit.

Dec 2015 - Walukuba West Primary School

Dec 2015 - Teachers Ugandan Sign Language Course

​We sponsored a course run in partnership with Small Steps Foundation, which was predominantly attended by enthusiastic, committed nursery level teachers. It ran on Saturdays over terms two and three in 2015. We look forward to seeing the teachers use their skills and make it possible for nursery level deaf children to start to learn. It was delivered through a partnership with Organisation of Parents of Deaf Children (OPDC) and KALE (locally based NGO who teach these courses), which we facilitated. About 18 parents attended this one.

Dec 2015 - OPDC Parents Course

​The aim of this workshop was to support parents to learn about starting up small business ventures, so that they can pay for their deaf child's education.

Oct 2015 – International Deaf Awareness Week

Children displaying the sign they paraded at International Deaf Awareness Week. On the far left is Victoria, a JD sponsored sign language instructor and in brown, is Nabwire, Head of Special Needs Education at Kyomya Primary School. Many schools participated in the event, including primary schools, secondary schools, tertiary institutes and universities, as well as some NGOs from across Uganda. Guests included Hon. Kadage Rebecca, the speaker of parliament for Uganda, as well as Member of Parliament for persons with disabilities, the Bishop of Mukono Diocese and many local government members.

Aug 2015 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos courtesy of Alex Tomkins who self-funded a visit to Jinja District as part of her studies for her MA in Visual Anthropology from University of Manchester. ​ In-depth collaboration with deaf Ugandan school children resulted in the production of a drama performance about their early life experiences. In the play, the children owned their deafness as a specific way of being in the world, rather than a social/physical impairment of the able-bodied.

The children acknowledged are Abe Steven, Aliba Babrah, Isabirye Chrispus, Bawalanswa Marvin, Jackson Ndwati, Konso Jovia, Lugula Frank, Magora Agnes, Mbabzi Petwa, Mirembe Florence, Mukwana John, Mulumba Daniel, Nabwire Immaculate, Nalwoga Carol, Namuyomba Mariam, Nkanga Frank, Ngobi Juma, Sharif Ali, Wasswa Joshua, Waiswa Ziafu.)

Aug 2015 – Sign Language Workshop for Teachers

These workships are delivered by Uganda National Association of the Deaf (UNAD, a Ugandan NGO) with the support of Deaf Child Worldwide (DCW, the international development arm of the National Deaf Children’s Society, and the leading UK charity working with deaf children in developing countries). They ran over 8 weeks in two 3 hour sessions a week in both Kyomya and Walukuba West Primary Schools.  They are part of a three-year programme to assess and improve comprehensive access to quality education by deaf children, and they show what progress is being made to further deaf education at Jinja's deaf sponsored schools. ​Photos with thanks to Alex Tomkins.

Aug 2015

Photos thanks to David, then Chairman, on a self-funded visit.

Second Term 2015 - Wakiso Senior School

8-12 Dec 2014 - ​Third Sign Language/Deaf Awareness Workshop

​This was attended by the parents who had attended the second workshop so that they could increase their knowledge of Ugandan Sign Language.  It was held at the beginning of the longest holiday of the school year so that parents would have plenty of time to use sign language at home before their deaf children returned to school.  17-year-old Irene, who has been sponsored by Jinja DEAF for her last three years at primary school and for her first year at senior school, attended the workshop to raise awareness of the impact education can have on a deaf child.

Nov 2014 - Kyomya Primary School

Various activities over the year: Juliet teaching in April, art lessons with unit head Madam Scovia Nabwire in July, sports in July, visit from Sara from the Netherlands, farewell meal at Bujagali Falls in August and the end of year party organised by Soft Power Education in November.

Nov 2014 - Walukuba West Primary School

Children signing a poem and dancing on Speech day and briefing day for the Uganda National Exams for Primary Seven.

31 Aug- 5 Sept 2014 - ​Second Sign Language/Deaf Awareness Workshop

The objective of this workshop was to bridge the communication gaps between parents, service providers and their children. This workshop was larger than the first and held centrally at YMCA in Jinja town. We are grateful again for the organisational contribution by SPE (Soft Power Education).

We are glad that the workshop was an overall success, with evident increased awareness and involvement of the parents of deaf children.  We are also glad that matrons and teachers were able to take part this time alongside parents and Soft Power Education staff. The participants expressed sincere gratitude for the programme, saying it has been a long term aspiration yet with no hope that it could really happen. 

Moses Ochom (founder of the Jinja District Deaf Association) managed to visit the workshop from Kampala, and his emphasis was for parents to love their children, and to be willing to support and cater for their education just as with the hearing siblings.  He encouraged parents to work together, possibly by forming an association of parents to advocate for the rights of their children, and a parents committee was elected.

July 2014 - Inter school Tag Rugby

Students at Walukuba West Primary School took part in an inter-school match of tag rugby at Kyadondo rugby ground. 

July 2014 - Wakiso Senior School 

Ex-Walukuba West Primary School students (Dhikusooka, Irene and Sharon) at Wakiso Secondary School for the Deaf.

July 2014 - The Uganda Society for the Deaf Vocational Training Centre

Henry received sponsorship from Jinja DEAF to buy materials to complete a carpentry course.

May 2014 - Visit from our Patron Sam and Soft Power Education

Jinja DEAF Patron Sam and his interpreter Yusef met with Sharon Webb, Soft Power Education's General Manager. He met pupils from both schools and advised on applying for support. 

12-16 May 2014 - ​First Sign Language/Deaf Awareness Workshop

This workshop took place at Soft Power Education’s Kyabirwa Children’s Centre, where they have recently constructed a purpose-built SEN facility with a classroom and a physiotherapy room. 

It brought together people four charities working in Jinja District: Jinja DEAF, Soft Power Education (SPE), Ekisa and Small Steps Foundation. SPE is a long-established educational charity that has been working with children with special needs since 2006.  Ekisa and Small Steps Foundation work with vulnerable Nursery age children.

Photos thanks to Yaziidi show opening remarks from SPE General Manager Sharon encouraging participants to continue using what they were about to learn, patron Sam teaching sign names for Uganda's districts, instructors teaching signs for the natural environment and instructors evaluating participants signing. 

First Term 2014 - Kyomya Primary School

Feb 2014 - Irene

Lovely photo of Irene collecting her temporary Primary Leaving Examination certificate from the headmistress. She dreams of becoming a health worker one day. She can now attend Wakiso Senior School, which is one of only 3 secondary schools for the deaf in the whole of Uganda.

Feb 2014 - Walukuba West Primary School

District sports gala and minibus day trip to Entebbe airport and Wildlife Centre.

Jan 2014 - Wakiso Senior School

Dec 2013 - Walukuba West Primary School

Prayers and interpretation by Yaziidi pre Primary Leaving Examinations.

Dec 2013 - Fundraising Carol Singing

JD supporters joined our Chairperson and Secretary in raising money by singing carols at Highbury and Islington Underground Station, London.  Our trustee Mark (in festive hat!) and our Chairperson's little son looked after the collection boxes. Festive thanks to all!

9 Nov 2013 - Autumn Fundraising Party

An enjoyable and successful occasion, raising nearly £400 on the day and about £1,000 more in donations that came by post and through the website! This year Ugandan friends Juliet and Jessica volunteered to cook Ugandan food for us, and we are most grateful to them. 

6 July 2013 - Hackney Fete

​We are delighted our stall raised £84. It was beautifully sunny all day, so unsurprisingly we are now sold out of our broad-brimmed papyrus and bark cloth hats! Eric, Finance Manager Trustee is pictured manning our stall. Thanks to Eric and Joanna for their hard work, and to everyone who supported us.

June 2013 - Uganda Paralympic Games

Deaf children of Walukuba West participated in Paralympics Games, organized by Uganda Paralympics Committee at Lugogo MTN arena in Kampala opposite the National Council of Sports. The games were opened by a band procession through the streets of Kampala raising public awareness about the prevalence of children with disabilities. The theme of the games was “Empowering Ugandan Children with Disabilities through Sports”. 

Aug 2012 - Fundraising at Dittisham Regatta, Devon

June 2012 - ​International Day of the African Child

This year, Jinja district hosted the celebration at Jinja Crested Crane Hotel. The theme of the celebration was “Rights of Children with Disabilities: Protect, Promote and Fulfil”. This celebration was attended and enjoyed by the deaf children of Jinja with communication assistance from Yaziidi and Asia who are funded by Jinja DEAF. 

June 2012 - Elmgreen Primary School

Two of our trustees, Joanna and Mark, recently visited our partner school in the UK. They started with a stall at the school during their lunch hour "market place" selling some of our craft work. They then attended the regular Wednesday afternoon "charity choice" session. They gave a presentation on Jinja DEAF illustrated by slides and a short video to a group of children, including hearing-impaired children, and some teachers.  After they left the "charity choice" session, the children discussed amongst themselves ways in which to fundraise for JD. The day was a great success and it's always a pleasure to visit the school! 

April 2012 - City Lit Deaf Day

Emma, our Chairperson, and Joanna, our Secretary, alongside Sam, our Patron, manned a JD stall at Deaf Day. The City Lit is an Adult Education Institution and its annual Deaf Day, which is the biggest event of its kind in the UK, comprises exhibitions, workshops, information and entertainment. It has been an opportunity for Jinja DEAF to publicise its work and to make useful contacts in the deaf community and in the world of deaf education.

2012 - Walukuba West Primary School 

Anna Stafford, photography teacher, visited Walukuba West and took some great photos of the pupils and our sponsored Communication Assistant Yaziidi. 

​2012 - Walukuba West and Wanyange Primary Schools

Photos with thanks to Yaziidi.

March 2012

16 Dec 2011 - Fundraising Carol Singing

A massive well done to everyone who helped raise enough to sponsor a sign language instructor for just over 3 months as well as 2 terms at a specialist school for the deaf for one of our sponsored pupils who otherwise wouldn't be able to go to school. A huge well done!

Dec 2011 - Fundraising Christmas Party 

Thank you to everyone who helped us raise a terrific £2,200 to give deaf Ugandan children the gift of education.
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