This project is done in close collaboration with our sister NGO Grassroots Alliance for Community Education (GRACE; www.graceusa.org).
In December 2003, this project was awarded a grant by the Development Marketplace program (of the World Bank Group with support of USAID). For more information, please visit www.developmentmarketplace.org .
As part of this program, a peer education system has been developed for deaf people, using a sign language vocabulary, interactive group games, and a puppetry show. In this program four Master Educators received special training on HIV/AIDS and then went to deaf schools to train local deaf youth on how to become effective peer educators.
The Deaf Peer's Education Manual can be downloaded freely for your use. Please note that this product is copyrighted. It can be used by you (and you can print or xerox it), but cannot be altered or used for commercial purposes (meaning, to make profit for yourself) without the written permission of Sahaya International.
Please note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the downloadable pdf files. Some of the files listed below require Adobe Reader version 7.0 or above. If you do not already have Acrobat (or you have an older version), please download the latest version for free from Adobe first.
There are 2 sets of Accompanying Materials that will help you to implement the activities outlined in the manual. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for the link to download these materials.
We are a team of friends who work since 2003 in this program to help relieve communication barriers and better the lives of deaf people who live under hardship in Kenya. Through consistent, determined and focused involvement to educate, our volunteers will raise HIV awareness in local and international communities in an endeavour to halt this dread but preventable disease. Our goal is to improve and maintain the well being of deaf persons. Happily, we are a part of the Sahaya, International and GRACE, both nonprofit organizations. The name Sahaya means 'help' in ancient Sanskrit language, and states our common bond and goal. Under their wing we share entitlement of federal 501(c)3 non-profit status.
This is our current team of program coordinator and 4 master educators (from left to right: Jackie, Tom, Benard, Margaret, and Reuben).
How did we start?
The beginning of The HIV Awareness Project of the Deaf, Kenya is best told through the story of Jackie Odwesso (program director):
Letter from Jackie Odwesso:
My love for Deaf people stems from childhood; my father had a Deaf man as an employee who always intrigued me. I remember he was illiterate but would somehow pantomime to communicate. I never understood all he would try to say, but somehow we were friends. As I grew up, remembering him after his death propelled me to know more about Deaf people. My dream came true. I love Deaf people and their mode of communication. It is unique!
Ever since I started working with the Deaf community, it became clear to me that it is the least known form of physical challenge. A good number of my fellow countrymen know not who a Deaf person is. The general knowledge they possess is the Deaf are 'daft', so sign language is such a wonder to them! Full awareness on deafness as a handicap has not taken place, and this has caused a lot of setbacks.
I could say so much about the setbacks the Deaf community faces, but to touch on health aspect only, it is a sad tale to tell. General standards of health are of course below requirement, but the Deaf person's situation is worsened as they cannot access the little health attention that's available. A common end result: right treatment for the wrong disease or no treatment at all.
HIV/AIDS was declared a national disaster in Kenya and preventive measures were beefed up to curb the situation. As awareness campaigns go on, counseling and testing centers (VCT) come up, peer groups continue to grow, however general communication breakdown is hindering Deaf people from fully accessing these services. Over 700 lives are lost everyday to HIV/AIDS in Kenya....one wonders if Deaf people are not part of these numbers, let alone being informed about this pandemic. It is quite unfortunate that with the big numbers of able bodies in the fight against HIV/AIDS, even when approached to act, less than 10% has been done.
Everyday I meet a Deaf person, either in the urban or rural setting; though some don't know much, or know a bit, or have heard about HIV/AIDS, discussing it is as if talking about Malaria. I am impressed however that they are not ashamed to discuss, just giggles here and there! Quite a number of them know of persons who have died of a 'thinning' disease. The stigma is obvious; it's worse in the rural setting as they don't understand what exactly happens. They have gotten used to 'neglect' and/or marginalization that they scarcely take the pandemic as a serious issue.
More needs to be done NOW to enhance awareness levels and leadership skills of the Deaf community towards informed decisions on health. The Deaf have the right to access Deaf-friendly sexual & reproductive health and HIV/AIDS information; they have a right to access care, and treatment at Deaf-friendly health centres and therapy groups; they have a right to be known and be part of the developing society; a Deaf person has a right to a healthy life.
I am proud to be part of this resolve in teaming up with my fellow concerned friends to take part in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Deaf community in Kenya. My deepest desire is to see the betterment of this community; I lack words to express my gratitude towards my concerned friends who are taking their time and energy to make this possible. Though we are small among the big, our resolve is more strengthened, and we look forward to teaming up with the 'big' to create a more Deaf-friendly environment for the Deaf people! Please join us in giving Deaf people a better place to be in!
Through joint cooperation with local grassroots organizations and public institutions in Kenya we are currently working on:
Empowering the Kenyan Deaf community through peer education networks on issues of HIV/AIDS and the general sexual and reproductive health. This involves the use of sign-language based participatory/interactive or hand-on activities.
Developing Deaf-friendly training curriculum on issues of HIV, sexual reproductive health, growing up, and relationships. The 1st 'Peer Education Manual' is ready for downloading from this website.
Improving the public's understanding and awareness of Kenya's Deaf community in sexual health awareness, access to health care and information through outreach programs, and puppetry shows.
Promoting more research and discussion on the role of the Deaf Kenyan in local society and approach to managing HIV/AIDS.
What are our Achievements?
Since 2004, the program has managed to have the following activities' summary on the ground:
A 'Peers Education Manual' has been completed and distributed to schools of the Deaf, Deaf adult centers, and other stakeholders, and is available for downloading from this website. An example of one activity is highlighted in this silent movie clip; the story line: the deaf students first introduce themselves as our body, the immune system, HIV and different diseases (that cause rash, headache); a strong immune system protects our body against many diseases, but when HIV comes in and weakens our immune system, these diseases can overwhelm our body.
The short video-clip here below highlights the inspiring speech given by Benard Mulama, a Master Educator, at the reception for the launch of the manual on September 26, 2007 (please turn up the volume to hear the voice of the interpreter).
Five Deaf peer networks with a population of 1300 Deaf peers have been erected and 21 schools of the Deaf and Deaf adults' centers with a population of 4,000 Deaf persons have been outreached.
Five master educators have been trained and certified, and are involved in the supervision of the networks, outreach programs, and training of more trainer Master Educators.
A Deaf puppetry group comprising of 5 members have been trained and certified, and are involved in outreach programs. The puppets use sign language to convey important messages on HIV and AIDS to the audience. (see videoclip and pictures below)
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Who is welcome to participate?
Anyone, anytime, and in any way! Whatever skills, experience, and aspirations you have will surely manifest in making the program a success. Each of you have unique qualities which in some way can save a deaf child or adult from becoming infected with HIV. The smaller the world, the bigger the neighborhood!
Can we help by donating?
Yes, donations go all the way towards making our mission a reality. Even with one dollar a big difference is made as we run on a shoestring budget and manage our own overhead costs of correspondence and postage.
If you are in the USA, you can send donations via Sahaya International(www.sahaya.org).
Sahaya International is a 501(c)3 organization, so your donations are tax-deductible in the USA according to standard IRS rules. Please (click here) to donate. For donations via check, please make checks payable to Sahaya International (with mention: Kenya-deaf program).
Individuals or organizations outside of USA can also send money directly to this program in Kenya. Please contact us to get further information.
E-mail: kkvanrompay@ucdavis.edu
We thank you tremendously for your support!!
Background on the deaf population of Kenya....
For purposes of simplicity and understanding the nomenclature of the target group shall be only a few words: deaf, signer, deaf community, and non-signer. The deaf individual being targeted in this VCTD and research project encompasses all those with significant hearing loss from a mild to profound level. More than one deaf individual comprises a deaf community as found in churches, clubs, and schools of the deaf. We need not name a person as hard-of-hearing or hearing-impaired for the purposes of the project. Also, a person who is deaf and blind is still named a deaf person.
The signer is an individual, whether deaf or not, who participates in the deaf community and uses Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) as a regular means of communication in the home, the work place, and/or the place of socialization. The non-signer is an individual, whether deaf or not, who does not use KSL as a regular means of communication anywhere. That individual is not part of the deaf community and usually may be far out of reach of the community and/or does not participate.
The total population of Kenya was 30,669,000 in 2001(UNICEF) with an initial estimate of 300,000 to 625,000 of the population representing the deaf individual. The majority of the deaf individuals in the figure originate in the schools, units, and vocational programs of the deaf. The minority originates in the self-help and social service groups, churches, and clubs of the deaf. More deaf individuals not involved in the above institutions may be unaccounted for and number in the thousands.
The true causes of deafness are generally congenital or stem from illness in the mother or the fetus brought upon by disease, most commonly malaria and spinal meningitis. Many children speak of having lost their hearing after a serious bout with malaria. And that happens at a very high rate--malaria cases numbered as high as 4,343,190 in 1995 for the entire country. Research of meningococcal disease as a widespread phenomenon has yet to be found although cases are significantly numerous. Some children say they were not afflicted with malaria but something 'other' before losing their hearing and that is sometimes representative of meningitis.
There are a total of 35 schools, 4 vocational programs, and 33 units in integrated programs of the deaf with 3,604 students according to the Kenya Society for Deaf Children (KSDC). This only represents those deaf individuals enrolled and learning in the various institutions throughout the country. Many more children, reportedly in the thousands, are not enrolled in a school for any number of reasons with lack of funds, commitment to work at the home, unavailability of school, and low parent morale of deafness in the child being among those reasons. With only three secondary schools of the deaf available to graduates of the primary school, relatively few move on to secondary education, let alone post-secondary. Hence the vocational programs made available in carpentry and sewing. Of the few individuals who do attend secondary and post-secondary, some struggle to join the work force, return to the schools to teach, start up their own small business enterprise, become involved with the churches of the deaf, or are unemployed.
The movement to accommodate the education and well-being of the deaf is underscored by the stigmatization of deafness throughout the country. Viewed as second-rate citizens unable to speak or listen adequately, deaf people encounter a number of obstacles to developing their sense of well-being. Especially in the remote areas of the village where adult literacy is lowest, attitudes often negate them. In those parts of the country, tradition still sometimes holds witchcraft as a cause of deafness at birth and thereafter. Some parents' funding of their children's education go first towards those able to hear then the deaf children last, regardless of their age. Then once enrolled, the deaf child begins education anywhere from a year to ten years delayed--children enrolled in the fourth grade are sometimes eighteen years old.
Since the inauguration of schools of the deaf in the latter part of the 20th century the administration and teaching staff had seldom-if ever- included a deaf individual previously schooled in their system. Only recently some schools have started hiring deaf individuals who have completed teachers' college or vocational schooling. Under a pioneer program spearheaded in the 1990s by the government and the Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD) two deaf individuals who had completed teachers' college were employed at two separate schools. As a result, the ratio changed to one deaf instructor for every 15 Deaf students in their respective schools. However, that program has long since become defunct.
Background on the health aspects of the deaf population in Kenya...
Currently there are 3 VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing) centers that are Deaf-friendly in Kenya; one is situated in the west of Kenya, 2 are in Nairobi, and 1 is at the coast (east). Unfortunately owing to the distance from one district to another within or outside the provinces, a majority of the Deaf whose stay-station is not near the VCT centres have difficulties accessing the services. The need arises for more VCT centers or Deaf-friendly health outlets as there are no places a Deaf person can be referred to get health attention or information. Health care personnel are usually too overwhelmed by the general health situation in the country to give specific focus to marginalized groups such as the Deaf. Though health strategies are being worked on, there has been no specific health plan targeting the Deaf. There is no health curriculum that can readily address the health setbacks that the Deaf community faces. With regard to the poor background that the majority stem from, accessibility to health care (and accurate information) is urgently needed.
These are 2 sets of accompanying materials that will help you to implement the activities outlined in the deaf peer's education manual:
Basic facts of human sexual anatomy and reproduction (Preliminary set)
