HOME & TEACH 7 INDIGENT DEAF CHILDREN IN S/AFRICA

Dear Supporters

As we approach the end of yet another busy academic year, I would like to update you with the progress of the learners you supported financially this year.

They were able to benefit from the specialised education and the secure and stable environment of the boarding facility at school.  The main benefit of these young children living at school during the week is that they learn to communicate much quicker and are able to participate in the extra-curricular activities offered at school.

Two of the learners you supported are members of the school's Signing Choir.  They participated in the Festival of Deaf and Blink Fine Arts at the Playhouse in Durban.  What an amazing experience it was for them to perform in front of a large audience.

All the Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase children participated in the school's annual concert.  "The Amazing Faraway Tree" was the theme of this year's concert.  The children thoroughly enjoyed the acting and dancing!

Generous donors have donated bicycles and cycling gear to our school.  The children enjoy cycling and participating in mountain bike races.  Since the children started cycling, there has been a notable increase in their confidence.

We wish you all well over the festive season and a happy, healthy 2015!

Thanking you sincerely for your on-going support

 Dear Supporters

A huge thank you from our 7 young learners who benefited from your generous donations!  We were able to assist them each with funds towards accommodation and specialised education as well as hearing aid batteries and medical insurance!

These young learners come from disadvantaged backgrounds and in most cases the government disability grant ($114.29) is the family’s only income.  The families of these learners are most grateful to you for investing in the education of their young Deaf child.

 Early intervention and language development is crucial in the education of a Deaf child, therefore it is crucial that babies born Deaf be placed in formal education from as young as 2½ years to enable them to learn to communicate in South African Sign Language.  These young children cannot attend schools in the areas where they live and therefore need to board at school during the week.  The advantage of boarding is that they quickly learn to communicate in an environment where everyone is communicating in the same language.  The school follows the mainstream curriculum from Pre-School to Grade 12.  We are extremely proud that we have maintained a 100% pass rate at Grade 12 level.

Thanking you sincerely for your support.