By Ernest Appiah | Executive Director
Deaf and Blind Youth in Ghana do not only face physical barriers, but also stigma and misunderstanding about their abilities. These young people have over the years suffered severe discrimination leading to limited access to education and fewer prospects for self-development through social activities in the community in which they live in.
This situation creates a vicious cycle: deaf youth and blind youth miss out on opportunities to discover and develop their strength and are unable to interact with their peers. This places them even further away from their communities and deepens their social exclusion. Those who are privileged to receive education are bundled up in special institutions particularly owned by the Government with only limited support.
Donations from wonderful people like you have started to chnage the narrative for many of such deprived children and the youth. Through your donations and support more than two hundred(200) of these children have gotten complete access to school. Either theri school fees and PTA dues are paid for them to remain in school or/and are newly given the opportunity to enroll in school to study. Beneficiaries are in addition provided with edible provisions and items including school uniforms to make their stay in boarding house and hostel enjoyable.
Beneficiaries are encouraged to join our sporting activities particularly swimming and other activities including football, basketball and volley among other recreational games particularly for the blind. Forty(40) deaf children are part of our swimming club and are able to swim. These students are encouraged to learn swimming with other non-deaf children within the community in order to help foster cohesion and integration thereby promoting self-confidence and general acceptance.
It is noteworthy that since the inception of our intervention to mitigate some of the challenges of the deaf and blind children who are mostly neglected, enrollment has increased and many more children remain on our waiting list to receive educational support from us( ANOPA).
We are hopeful that we would be able to support every deaf and blind child have access to education and sport through your continue support, prayers and donations.
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