Our Very First Students
Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Haiti Deaf Academy. In a series of upcoming newsletters, the first issues will remind of us our history and how the early days set the stage for the ministry today. Following issues will focus on student impact stories that keep us inspired to continue this great work. We hope that you, our prayer warriors and supporters, will be moved to reconfirm your commitment to sticking with us and that new friends will consider joining this journey. You can view earlier issues HERE.
Our First Student
In the beginning there was CO.
Our first student, pictured learning her first signs with our first tutor, JR.
CO was living with her aunt in Leveque, Haiti, and other than a few home-made signs, had no way to communicate with her family. There were no educational opportunities for language development, academic schooling or life skills’ lessons in the area. A tutor was found and hired to begin teaching sign language to CO on the porch of her aunt’s house. Everyone who witnessed this little girl blossom with her new found language was inspired.
While academic lessons were certainly a goal, all realized that CO was a child of God, yet didn’t know it. For CO and the other children served by the Haiti Deaf Academy, using their new found language to plant spiritual seeds became the underlying mission. As they mature spiritually, they will have the opportunity to choose Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And that foundation, with all of the associated teachings, can carry them throughout the challenges they are sure to face with life as a deaf person in a developing country.
After the Earthquake
Before we continue with CO’s story, let’s back up to before the beginning, as many pivotal circumstances contributed to the creation of HDA. After losing their homes in the Jan 17, 2010, earthquake, many deaf families organized themselves into a tent city in Port-au-Prince. Support from various organizations provided rescue services for these Deaf who couldn’t hear about resources being provided for the general population. Strong deaf leaders helped secure food and water during this difficult time for the 64 families trying to pull their lives together. Several mission organizations provided support, such as International Deaf Emergency and Friends of Deaf Haiti.
The number of families grew and many deaf families moved from the tents into 12×12 wooden houses built by the International Federation Red Cross as a temporary upgrade from the poorly ventilated tents that would collapse in bad weather. However, they were still located in a dangerous area and the Deaf were subject to theft and abuse. Without hearing warning signs of danger coming, they were extremely vulnerable.
Deaf leaders impressed some American donors seeking to provide relief services for the Deaf in post-earthquake Haiti. The Foster Friese Foundation provided funding for Mission of Hope (another ministry serving in Haiti since 1998) to build three room cinder block houses for deaf families. 410 Bridge also played a vital role in the relocation and settlement of these deaf families. 168 families took occupancy as 50 homes were built at a time. The first group moved into Leveque in February 2012.
Deaf leaders in this new community expressed the need for education programs for Deaf children in the area of the new community of Leveque. Three American volunteers felt called to step up and see what they could do to help. That’s when they began helping CO.
Before long, three additional students were found and one of the vacant new homes in Leveque was made available to the tutor and new students. A chalkboard was installed, sign language flash cards were purchased and the group was on their way. And so the story of the Haiti Deaf Academy officially begins. Please be on the lookout for future newsletters covering stories of the both the challenges and impact being made during this 10 year journey.
Tutor JR
Getting Things
Started
| MD, KO, and JC First three students then and 10 years later, thriving students at HDA. All grown up!   |
Thank you for celebrating with us and if you are not already a child sponsor, thank you for considering signing up for our most valuable funding opportunity. Through monthly sponsorships, regular donations both large and small enable us to confidently cover day to day operational costs. To sponsor a child, please click HERE.
Thank you for all you do for Haiti Deaf Academy and the children we serve!
In His grace,
Students, Staff and Leadership Team
Haiti Deaf Academy