JENNIFER MEMORIAL DEAF PRESCHOOL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Zambia Deaf Youth and Women is a Non Governmental Organization (NGO)/ Disabled People Organization (DPO) of the Deaf Youths and Women. It was founded on 30th April, 2009 by a group of Deaf people who felt that their interests, rights, plights and personage were not recognized. The organization is duly registered under Registrar of Societies Act Cap 119 and repealed Persons with Disabilities Act No 6 of 2012 in accordance with Laws of the Republic of Zambia.

 

In a densely populated, mass illiterate and poverty stricken country like Zambia, most Deaf children are born in the poorest of the poor families. Due to ignorance and poverty, the parents cannot give special care as needed by Deaf child. As a result the child itself gets frustrated and starts to losing self-confidence. Parents and relatives feel ashamed to admit in the community that they have a Deaf child. This led the child into doom, isolation and frustration.

Education for Deaf children is being implemented by a negligible number of public schools. A limited resource is not enough to facilitate the huge number of Deaf children. But education is a birth right for every child including Deaf children. But lack of scope for Special system of education is violation of basic human rights for Deaf children. When the slogan of, “Education is the backbone of the nation” is chanted, but Deaf children are excluded.

JENNIFER MEMORIAL DEAF PRE SCHOOL

(In Picture the late Jennifer Bwalya & Musukwa founder)

The Jennifer Memorial Deaf Preschool was established in the mid 2014 after completion of the Multi-purpose building in recognition of the importance of pre-school education for Deaf children that hardly exist in Zambia. Jennifer Memorial Deaf Preschool caters for the needs of Deaf/hearing impaired children these needs are diverse and unique. The school is named after the very first pupil who was enrolled and later on passed away. We aim to provide a natural and relaxed setting where children can engage in a range of activities provided to extend their learning and development. The school caters for children from low income surrounding areas such as Chimwemwe, Twatasha, Racecourse and Kawama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vision

“An empowered deaf community founded on hard work, self-discipline, resilience, dignity & integrity."

Mission

"To produce literate and innovative deaf individuals, moulded to be participants in society's development."

Motto

"Strive to beat the odds, achieve excellence!"

ENROLLMENT

Enrollment is still on-going and so far a total of ten (10) Deaf/hearing impaired children have been enrolled and are already learning. Our objective seeks to create a challenging learning environment that encourages high expectations for success through development-appropriate instruction that allows for individual differences and learning styles. The special class will promotes a safe, orderly, caring, and supportive environment with each child’s self-esteem fostered by positive relationships with fellow learners and teachers. We strive to have our parents, teachers, and community members actively involved on our children’s' learning.

Our target for 2016 is to have a total of 20 children enrolled due to infrastructure challenge.

CHALLENGES

Though the school is currently operational, there are a number of challenges we are facing;

1. Limited Classroom infrastructure

2. Transport for picking up children

3. Lack of boarding facilities for vulnerable and orphan Deaf children

4. All teachers are voluntary

 

The right to a free, appropriate public education remains unrealized by many Deaf children direct and uninhibited language and communication access to the curriculum, and all facets of the schooling experience are essential for a deaf child to achieve equality of opportunity and an appropriate education. Stakeholders and parents must be reminded about the importance of providing equal educational opportunities for deaf children. Only through a sustainable system can we ensure that the unaccounted numbers of invisible Deaf children are given the opportunity to go to school and dream of a better future without discrimination and neglect. ZDYW welcome financial donations and support toward the realisation of the right to quality and appropriate Deaf education under its initiative of providing Deaf early childhood education. Contact us below and make a significance impact on lives of Deaf children.

 

Future Plans

1. Expansion of the school by constructing 1 by 7 classroom block.

2. Partner with Ministry of Education for deployment of qualified teachers

3. Provision of boarding facilities to vulnerable and orphan Deaf children and children of Deaf adults.

Conclusion

We have set our goal high and we strive to work hard to demonstrate impact. Change of this magnitude requires many hands. Its in this spirit that we wish to extend our most sincere gratitude to our Partner Murray and Roberts Cementation (Z) Ltd for their undivided support to the centre in our endeavour to provide high quality free primary education to Deaf children and children of Deaf adults. We need your support and partnership to continue this momentum. Join us in ensuring that Deaf children and Children of Deaf adults are given the opportunity to access quality education.

 

CONTACT US

ZAMBIA DEAF YOUTH AND WOMEN (ZDYW)

Jennifer Memorial Preschool

Plot No. 831, Government Road

P.O Box MT92, Kitwe,

Copperbelt Province,

Zambia.

Email: zambiadeafyw@zambia.co.zm, zambiadeafyw@gmail.com frankmusukwa2005@yahoo.com Mobile Cell # +260977 866459(SMS) / voice calls +260979464914 (Voice)