Help Bring Deaf Children To School - Mexico

Keilani is four years old and lives with her family in a small community outside of San Miguel de Allende. Hearing assessments indicate that she has very little residual hearing. For many children in similar circumstances, this means that spoken language development is extremely limited and that success in a traditional school for hearing children can be difficult without appropriate support and access to language.

We first learned of Keilani through a friend and volunteer with a local NGO that builds homes for families living in difficult circumstances. Keilani's family was fortunate to receive one of these homes, and through that connection, her situation came to our attention.

Like many parents of newly identified Deaf children, Keilani's family hopes that hearing aids will help her access the hearing world more easily. Their desire is understandable. This generous volunteer has stepped forward to help cover the costs of hearing aids, ear molds, and programming services through a local audiologist. We are grateful for this support and are pleased to assist in any way we can.

But our hopes for Keilani extend beyond technology.

What Keilani needs most is access to language, communication, education, and community. We have encouraged her family to consider having her attend EEESMA several days each week. There she would begin learning Mexican Sign Language and, perhaps most importantly, become part of a community of Deaf children who communicate, learn, play, and grow together. Early access to language is critical to a child's development, and every month matters.

The challenge, however, is transportation.

Both of Keilani's parents work in Querétaro, a considerable distance from their home and in the opposite direction from San Miguel de Allende. At present, they simply cannot see a practical way to bring their daughter to school on a regular basis.

This is a challenge we know well. Transportation remains one of the greatest barriers facing many of the Deaf children who could benefit from an education at EEESMA. Time and again, we have worked alongside families, donors, and community partners to find creative solutions. We are determined to do the same for Keilani.

She deserves the opportunity to communicate effectively, to build meaningful relationships, and to receive an education designed specifically for her needs and potential. She deserves the chance to thrive.

To all who have supported EEESMA through your generosity over the years, thank you. Your donations have opened doors for countless children and families, creating opportunities that otherwise would not exist. Stories like Keilani's remind us that there is still important work to do, but they also remind us of what is possible when compassionate people come together to support a child's future.

Thank you for being part of that future.

Links:

• School's Website