DEAF SCHOOL OPENS AT GIRLS' ORPHANAGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 001279

SIPDIS

LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SOCI SCUL ECON EAID DJ
SUBJECT: DEAF SCHOOL OPENS AT GIRLS' ORPHANAGE


1. (U) Summary: The Association for the Protection of Mother
and Child opened 15 September a school for deaf children on
the grounds of the Girls' Orphanage. Pol/Econ and Pol
Assistant visited the school and toured the orphanage on 30
September. At the moment the center runs three classes daily
for deaf children. The Association hopes to have a total of
six classes daily available in the future. Also available to
the girls are study programs in vocational studies, Arabic
language, and French language study programs. End Summary.


2. (U) In Djibouti, as is the case in many parts of the
world, having a deaf child is seen as a shame to the family.
The subject is not discussed and the child is not engaged in
the society as a whole. For this reason, it is surprising to
hear of a school for the deaf opening its doors to the
public. Placed within the grounds of the Girls' Orphanage,
the Association for the Protection of Mother and Child has
opened three classes for deaf children, and their parents, in
Djibouti City. The director of the center, Yonis Awad Djama,
said having three classes is merely a beginning and the
center hopes to expand to six classes once more funds are
available. Djama said in preparation for opening, the center
took a survey in the neighborhood of Balbala, one of the most
populous neighborhoods, to find out a general number of those
interested in such a center. The survey showed, in Balbala
alone, there were 300 deaf children. Djama said there are
probably many more throughout the capital city and in the
districts.


3. (U) Djama stated the belief of the center that all
children should be cared for and a child's deafness should
not mean the end of their world. The school employs teachers
from a similar association based in Somaliland. The teachers
are trained in Somaliland and use Kenyan sign language
because it is closest culturally and will facilitate life in
the region more than a European or American sign language.
Djama said this project is being funded by the association
itself to start, but it will have to request aid from other
donors if there is an intent to maintain or expand classes.
Classes are offered free of all charges to the parents of
deaf children making it possible for families who have
difficulty sending healthy children to school to consider
their deaf child for schooling. The average age in the deaf
classes is six. For the moment, the center is only taking
students up to age 12. Djama said there are plans to expand
the age range.


4. (U) The center tries to provide transportation to and from
the child's house on a daily basis for both the parent and
child. They are limited by their resources which consist of
a large bus donated by the French military. It is difficult
to get parts for the model of bus in Djibouti so it takes
much longer to repair when it breaks.


5. (U) The girls orphanage, and the Association as a whole,
is one of the most active organizations in Djibouti City.
The orphanage has reformed the way it operates in the past
three years by placing an emphasis on self-sufficiency and
giving the girls new opportunities to learn. As well as the
deaf school, the Association teaches classes in the Arab
school program for girls unable to succeed in the French
curriculum at Djibouti public schools. The center tries to
make all the girls feel as if they have a skill that they can
do well. In this regard, if the girls do not succeed in the
Arabic curriculum, they are given the option of pottery or
sewing. All the girls in the orphanage attend these classes,
which as Djama said, allows the girls to see that some people
are stronger in certain subjects where others are not. This,
he continued, gives them a sense of pride instead of focusing
on their lack of success in another subject.


6. (U) The orphanage's sewing, pottery, and baking classes
are part of workshops that the orphanage uses to support
itself. Girls that participate in the workshops earn a
portion of the proceeds from the sale of their items - to
encourage the idea that hard work is rewarded. The center's
bakery produces first for their own use and then sells the
extra to the general public. It is working on expanding the
bakery to include more than just bread. The desire is to be
able to bake and sell the full range of baked goods,
including sweet breads and pastries. Djama also tries to
involve the girls in management of the center.


7. (U) The orphanage is also in the process to establishing
and expanding its library. With the aid of a grant from the
Chinese, the orphanage now has computers in the library for
the girls and a full computer center for training both
orphanage residents and outside clients. Djama said one
person is employed to teach computer skills to the girls and
as a cooperation with the Government, earns fees for classes
given to the Service National Adaptee (Adapted National
Service - a program within the Djiboutian army that combines
job skill training and military service for young people).
Djama wants to add an Internet connection to the library and
to expand computer classes eventually. He also said the lack
of books and other learning materials is slow to be filled,
but books in English are expected from the Embassy's Public
Diplomacy office.


8. (U) Djama encourages the idea of cooperation over charity.
In response to Pol/Econ's question regarding the level of
volunteers from the French, American or Djiboutian community,
he said the center prefers that if a person comes to teach
the girls something, the center provides them a service in
return. For example, many French military wives help the
girls with their lessons. In return, the girls teach the
wives sewing or pottery. Djama said bringing in people from
other cultures for exchanges like this allows the girls to
see that there is more to the world than just Djibouti.
RAGSDALE