Jinja DEAF | Updates

Dec 2017 - Kyomya Primary School

Photos courtesy of Juliet taken over the year.

During a physical exercise lesson.

Juliet during a sign language class.

Deaf pupils doing a test.

Shaban deaf pupil year 4 tries mathematics.

Deaf pupils year 4 act out an English conversation, guided by Lydia.

Visitation day at Wakiso, Irene, Charles, David and Beatrice pose for a photo.

Deaf pupils at Kyomya enjoy their farewell party.

Juliet guiding a debate for the deaf children on Sunday.

Lydia with a small group.

Deaf children pose for a photo after Sunday service, in their smart casual uniform provided by Soft Power.

Peace deaf child year 2 tries out an assignment on her own.

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 .

Deaf children at Kyomya School, with our two sponsored workers Juliet Wabukawo (left) and Lydia Nakitende (right).

Three deaf children at Kyomya. Moses (centre) lives with his widowed mother whom we helped to buy his school uniform.

School assembly at Walukuba West School, with Nawedde Yaziidi, JinjaDEAF sponsored worker, signing for the deaf children.

Walukaba West, learning the colours in Ugandan Sign Language.

An OPDC meeting, with the parents of deaf children. With Sebastian Waiswa, Director of OPDC (left), and David Johnstone, our Chairman of JinjaDEAF (right).

We have sponsored OPDC's work in 2017.

Parents of deaf children meet to discuss how to improve access to education for deaf children.

Very few deaf children go to school. There are few schools in Uganda with sign language instructors and interpreters.

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.

In September, 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.

Then they visited the airport, and could observe planes landing and departing, which was very exciting.

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.

We are sure they will have loved it. Great day out for them all.

Aunt of deaf child David, who graduated from Kyomya last year. She learnt signing and works as matron in Kyomya.

July 2017 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos from Victoria taken over the second term of 2017.

Mirembe then Nabwire, both team leaders.

From a Saturday class for parents of deaf children that Victoria has been teaching at Walukuba West.

Under their own initiative, teachers from three schools who cater for deaf children came together for a weekend in May to learn from each other about what is working well and the problems they face, which we sponsored.

May 2017 - Walukuba West Primary School

Photos taken by Yaziidi over the first term of 2017.

A National Athletics Kids competition in Tororo, which deaf children attended with our interpreter. Here Kalali Joel at start of 60 metre sprint.

Sooka Alex leading the 800 metre race.

Kalali Joel, star of Jinja District deaf athletics, receiving gifts he won at municipal levels.

Mirembe Florence putting on a scarf which signifies being a prefect, assisted by the Head Teacher.

Nursery child reviewing work which they had just been taught by the teacher.

Nursery child doing end of term exams.

March 2017 - Walukuba West Primary School

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

Nursery class during art lessons.

Group of deaf boarders fetching water.

Deaf girls in new and old school uniform.

Communication Assistant at work during school parade.

Primary seven candidates.

Deaf boarders at Sunday School.

March 2017 - Kyomya Primary School

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

Enjoying a service lead by Rev Sajjabi Paul (deaf).

Children interacting in class.

New Signing Instructor Lydia Nakitende guides a pupil in class.

Signing Instructor Juliet Wabukawo in class with children.

Enjoying play.

Dec 2016 - Walukuba West Primary School

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

Walukuba West school sign.

Pupils at Walukuba in blue uniforms, with the new nursery section under construction behind them.

Playground.

Candidates for the new nursery section.

Dec 2016 - Walukuba West Primary School

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

Deaf candidate on the right, doing calculation during maths practice.

P7 candidates during prayer time.

P7 candidates during a briefing from the Uganda National Examinations Board.

Deaf children in a sign language session with Victoria. Sign captured means 'congratulations'.

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

Some of the children of Kyomya Primary School, just before the start of the parade.

Kyomya at the front, then Walukuba West, then Busoga Junior, through the streets of Lira town.

Busoga Junior School, before the journey home.

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'.