STOBBEHOLZE NEL DEAF AND DEAFBLIND CHILDREN CENTRE

1. BEGINNING OF THE CHILDREN CENTRE:

The idea of starting the centre was found in our work-motto that is: “TOGETHER WE CAN SAVE LIVES”. This was in July 2009, when the project was formed as a Community Base Organization [CBO] dealing with deaf and deafblind children. It is run by people who volunteer to help and support deaf and deafblind children who suffer a lot in Kenya.

2. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES:

Kenya is one of many countries in East Africa where many people with a disability are not given an opportunity to enjoy health care, education, housing, or an opportunity for a school graduation like other children.
There are only a few orphanages and centres for children across the country which give hope to many orphans and access to food, clothes and a proper medical care system.
None of these orphanages keep a place in their centre to accept children who are deaf and deafblind.
One reason for this is the problem of misunderstanding. For example some orphanages think that including deaf and deafblind children will give them a bigger burden.
Some centers also think that this inclusion could have bad side effects for the other children who are not deaf and deafblind.
You can find deaf and deafblind orphans everywhere in the streets. So many of them live under hard conditions as there is nobody to take care of them and to show that they are being loved.
Most of those deaf and deafblind children are AIDS orphans. They don’t have any family members, and those who have relatives face many prejudices as they think that deaf and deafblind children have no place to belong to and that they are a big burden for the society.
It’s sad to see that most of those children who get little support from their relatives get half way education and have nowhere to go and get food, clothing, and housing. And especially they don’t have any place to go when the school is closed for holiday. For this reason the STOBBEHOLZE NEL CENTRE is now the only orphanage centre in Kenya that will support deaf and deafblind orphans.

3. The HOME:

STOBBEHOLZE NEL deaf and deafblind children centre is located in Western Kenya next to Kisumu along Kisumu-Busia road. The place is called Lela market in Maseno, half a kilometer from Maseno University.


4. WHAT WE WANT TO DO:

1. To educate and enlighten deaf and deafblind children on different the issues about the society.
2. To put up a rehabilitation centre for the deaf and deafblind in the community.
3. To create awareness in the society to accept deaf and deafblind children as part of our society.
4. To establish a sign language and tactile sign centre in order to promote communication between deaf, deafblind and the community.
5. To create awareness on rights of the deaf and deafblind children.

5. VISION:

An orphanage centre of excellence where deaf and deafblind children get the opportunity to reach their great potentials.

6. PRINCIPLES:

Deafness and Deafblindness are unique disabilities. The children must be treated with understanding, patience and love.

7. MISSION:

We want to improve the health and education system and create a better life for the deaf and deafblind children.

8. OUR CHILDREN:

Our children are orphans. Many of them were abused physically and have lived under horrible conditions. They are seeking for love, care, education, health, food and a place they can call their home. They need to grow, learn their culture and get the feeling to become a needed citizen.
The children are between 16 and 20 years old.
After leaving the centre and primary school they can go to high school, vocational training, while others will (hopefully) go to university.

9. HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1) Sponsor a child
Both deafness and deafblindness require a learning and understanding environment. It is important that their education takes place in a boarding school starting from nursery.
We invite you to experience the difference a sponsorship can make in the life of a child. Whoever has the possibility to sponsor a child should take this opportunity seriously. The rewards are greater than words can express. Your contribution will go towards paying their school fees, provide food, clothes, medical provision etc.
Your support will protect his or her future.

More things:
-Welcome letter from the STOBBEHOLZE NEL CENTRE.
-Picture of the child.
-Personal history of the child.
-Annual school progress record of the child.
-Personal letter from the child.
-The opportunity to visit the child at the STOBBEHOLZE NEL centre.
-To know that you are making a big difference in a child’s life.


2) Sponsor a STOBBENHOLZE NEL’S development project:

STOBBEHOLZE NEL has not yet a permanent donor to help working on projects like building houses for the centre. We rely on well-wishers, friends, members who want to contribute to help building classrooms, dormitories, an electricity system, water accessions etc.
We have almost succeeded to pay off the land. Then we will start to build permanent houses so that we are able to accommodate more deaf and deafblind children who are still suffering in the hands of the society.
We appeal for help and support. Well-wishers, friends, churches, and other organizations are welcome to help and work together with us.




TO THE CHURCHERS YOUR RELIGION COMMUNITY HAS A TANGIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AN INVOLVED PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL TRULY CHANGE THE LIVES OF SOME OF THE THOUSANDs DEAF AND DEAFBLIND ORPHANES. BY WORKING WITH US THE MEMBERS OF YOUR CHURCH WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN ENRICHING EFFORT THAT HAS A SPECIFIC GOAL.

In Nehemiah’s words “come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach” [Nehemiah 2:17”] that gave us the motivation for laying down the foundation for protecting and improving the conditions of the deaf and deafblind children.
With this concern in our minds we remember how the Lord Jesus healed the deaf the people brought to him as shown in the bible. [Mark 7:32] in turn it is our duty to bring these kids deaf and deafblind children into personal relationship with GOD IN RESPONSE TO THEIR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS. SO PLEASE JOIN US TO HELP THEM AT THE STOBBEHOLZE NEL’S CENTRE.
REMEBER THAT YOUR GENEROUSITY WILL QUICKLY BEGIN TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF DEAF AND DEAFBLIND ORPHANS WHO ARE IN GREAT NEED!


10.WHERE CURRENT HELP IS NEEDED:
1. Building dormitory, hall etc.
2. Fixing the electricity system.
3. Digging bore holes for water.
4. Fixing a permanent fence.
5. Sponsoring children.
6. Food provision.
7. Safety arrangements.
8. Preparing for a self-sustaining environment.


11. CONTACT:

1. In Germany
Project patron: Nele Gabriel
EMAIL: kidsofmaseno@gmail.com

2. In Kenya
Project Coordinator: Austine Otieno
P.O.Box 11,
Maseno. Kisumu –City
EMAIL: elizipem@yahoo.com


Thank you very much!
Austine Otieno