Kids-of-Maseno

New Homepage

2010-05-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

Please go to:

www.kidsofmaseno.de

This is the new homepage of our association
Kids of Maseno - Förderverein Kenia e.V.

Nyaweri (Nyanza Western Rift Valley) Deaf VCT Centre

2009-12-11T03:47:00.001-08:00

The office exists since 2004, founded by Dr. Peter Oracha Adoyo from Maseno University. Its main office is Liverpool VCT Care and Treatment under which Nyaweri is working. Right now six people are running the office, five are deaf and one is hearing, who are trained on counseling and testing. The main reason of the formation of this office is to help educate hearing impaired people on HIV/AIDS, so that they are able to make informed decisions and carry out testing. Deaf people have to face many challenges when it comes to HIV/AIDS.
Myths and prejudices exist about the deaf and in combination with HIV/AIDS it is even harder for them to lead a normal life. Another big problem is the lack of information and awareness on HIV/AIDS especially for those who are living in the rural areas. Language barriers among the education level are a big challenge and it is really hard for them to acquire appropriate information about HIV/AIDS. Poor access to VCT services, Stigma and discrimination are three other challenges for a deaf person when he or she has been tested positive.
After the counseling and the result, it is important to prepare for the future and to create a surrounding atmosphere where he or she can feel understood, accepted and comfortable.
Another part of the VCT office is the outreach program. Employees are going out into the fields closer to the people who might not have time and the opportunity to get access to the VCT, and because of transport problems, and also lack of knowledge.
This is one option to provide the VCT service to people in rural areas.
Also workshops are offered for many different topics, e.g. some of them focus on the right of women and the problems of gender inequality. The workshops are organized by different associations like Handicap International, Kenya National Association of the Deaf etc.
When it comes to HIV/AIDS the employees of Nyaweri are hoping and wishing that this place will always play a big role in terms of improvement of knowledge and knowing of the HIV/AIDS status to reduce more infections among themselves and development for this special group which the hearing does not give much attention. They want to reach as many deaf as possible to provide awareness and information about HIV/AIDS and other health related issues.
A lot of things have changed over the last years. The workers at Nyaweri hope it will continue this way and they are always trying to extend this important kind of work.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) sessions and examples

2009-12-11T03:38:00.000-08:00

VCT for HIV usually involves two counseling sessions: one prior test known as "pre-test counseling" and one following the test when the results are given, often referred to as "post-test counseling". Counseling focuses on the infection (HIV), the disease (AIDS), the test, and positive behavior change.

VCT has become popular in many parts of Africa as a way for a person to learn their HIV status. VCT centres and counselors often use rapid HIV tests that require a drop of blood or some cells from the inside of one's cheek. The tests are cheap, require minimal training, and provide accurate results in about 15 minutes

Until recently, the primary model for providing HIV testing and counseling has been client-initiated HIV testing and counseling - also known as voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) - in which individuals must actively seek an HIV test at a health or community-based facility. But uptake of client-initiated HIV testing and counseling has been limited by low coverage of services, fear of stigma and discrimination, and the perception by many people - even in high prevalence areas - that they are not at risk.

Many people are taking a HIV test on a regular basis now. Women and men-from young to old- go to the VCT office every three month because the HI-Virus needs up to this time psan to be detectable in the blood. The process is quite fast and easy to undergo. People come without an appointment to a place that offers VCT and after a short period of waiting they are being taken to a seperate room and the counseling starts. The testing itself takes a couple of minutes and the results of the first test (depending on the outcome of this test two additional tests can be taken) takes about ten minutes.

To secure that the testing stays anonymous, tested people don’t use their names but a number or letter code like the name of their mother. These codes are important for the statistics to see how many people use the VCT. It also helps to find older results when people come more often to use the VCT. But it is not a must to use the same VCT place for testing. Actually a lot of people change the VCT setting very often.

Sadly it is not possible for some people to participate in such an important development. Deaf people haven’t had the chance to use a VCT office for a very long time.

HIV treatment

2009-12-11T03:37:00.000-08:00

HIV is an uncommon type of virus called a retrovirus, and drugs developed to disrupt the action of HIV are known as antiretroviral drugs (ARV). They come in a variety of formulations designed to act on different stages of the life-cycle of HIV.
The AIDS virus mutates rapidly, which makes it extremely skilful at developing resistance to drugs. To minimize this risk, people with HIV are generally treated with a combination of ARV drugs that attack the virus on several fronts at once.
The introduction of ARV drugs in 1996 transformed the treatment of HIV and AIDS, improving the quality and greatly prolonging the lives of many infected people in places where the drugs are available. Nevertheless, ARV drugs are not a cure. If treatment is discontinued the virus becomes active again, so a person on ARV drugs must take them for life.
Although the price of ARV drugs has fallen significantly in recent years, the cost remains an obstacle to access in the developing world. Moreover, the health infrastructure required to deliver antiretroviral therapy is lacking in many places.
Access to drugs depends not only on financial and human resources. It depends also on people who need them being aware of their HIV status, knowledgeable about treatment, and empowered to seek it.
Thus public information and education are important elements in widening access, alongside efforts to build or strengthen the health services. The campaign for universal access to life saving drugs for HIV and AIDS, started originally by grassroots AIDS activists, is today a major focus of attention of UN agencies and others influential organizations at national and global levels.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT)

2009-12-11T03:31:00.000-08:00

Counseling and testing (CT) is one of the most rapidly expanding HIV program services in the world. Appealing the increased demand is the recognition of CT's role in both preventing new HIV infections and increasing access to care and treatment (including antiretroviral therapy).
Family Health International has supported CT since 1997 with tools, strategies, and technical documents, technical assistance, and program implementation. In more than 25 countries, FHI's current CT programs support in-country counterparts and communities, including people living with HIV or AIDS, to develop culturally appropriate and client-centered services. It works with local government organizations and NGOs to establish and expand services, and providing global guidance on how to tailor services in different settings for different objectives. Regardless of the model or approach, FHI believes CT services must be provided within a human rights framework.

Essential policy actions for HIV prevention

1.) Ensure that human rights are promoted, protected and respected and that measures are taken to eliminate discrimination and combat stigma.

2.)Build and maintain leaderships from all sections of the society, including the government, affected communities, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, the education sector, media, the private sector and trade unions.

3.)Involve people living with HIV in the design, implementation and evaluation of prevention strategies, addressing the distinct prevention needs.

4.)Address cultural norms and beliefs, recognizing both the key role they may play in supporting prevention efforts and the potential they have to fuel HIV transmission.

5.)Promote gender equality and address gender norms and relations to reduce the vulnerability of women and girls, involving men and boys in this effort.

6.)Promote widespread knowledge and awareness of how HIV is transmitted and how infections can be averted.

7.)Promote the links between HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health.

8.)Support the mobilization of community-based responses throughout the continuum of prevention, care and treatment.

9.)Promote programmes targeted at HIV prevention needs of key affected groups and populations.

10.)Mobilizing and strengthening financial, human and institutional capacity across all sectors, particularly in the health and education area.

11.)Review and reform legal frameworks to remove barriers to effective, evidence based HIV prevention, combat stigma and discrimination and protect the rights of people living with HIV or vulnerable or at risk to HIV.

12.)Ensure that sufficient investments are made in the research and development of, and advocacy for, new prevention technologies.

STOBBEHOLZE NEL DEAF AND DEAFBLIND CHILDREN CENTRE

2009-12-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

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

Sponsorship for a child

2009-10-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

Some information about a sponsorship:

Primary school: 7100 Ksh (Kenyan Shilling) per year (= 65 Euro)

Including: Boarding fees, medical provision, uniform (one pair) and one pullover.

With some extra money per month the child would be able to get one more uniform/clothes, better medical provision, transport fees (some parents are not able to pick their child from school. They live far away. The school has to take care of the transportation.)

Secondary school: 28000 Ksh per year (= 254 Euro)

So far we are happy to have eight sponsors for children (primary schools; mostly Maseno School for the Deaf) and one sponsor for a child who is going to attend secondary school next year (2010).

This is a great number! Big thanks to all. Let us continue working together.

If you have more questions please post here or email me.

A new Volleyball and net for the Nyanza Volleyball Teams

2009-10-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

It is a sunny hot day in Kisumu. Today the Nyanza Volleyball Teams have a good reason to smile. Finally they are able to continue with their exercises. The old net broke down a while ago and the ball, well let’s say there was a need for a new one. After hanging the net, all of us go for a short play to test the new investments.

The next competition can come. The Teams of Nyanza province will be ready. :)
Asante sana for the big help

Deaf Week

2009-10-01T23:01:00.000-07:00

I may take this opportunity on behalf of Kfdt to say THANK YOU friends and supporters. Without you the Deaf Week event this year would not have been such a big success. Thank you again and we are really looking forward to continue working with you to bring the change we want and the chance we believe in Deaf education in Kenya.

Thank you!

Austine Otieno

THE DEAF WEEK

2009-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

The event kicked off on the 21st September to the 27th September 2009. The Kenya Federation of Deaf Teacher was among the Deaf organizations which participated in the event. The event marked the first time celebrating the Deaf Week in Kenya since Independence. The theme of this year was Human Rights and Sign Language. Most of the Kfdt branches in the 8 provinces in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, Nyanza and Western, participated in the event. The week went well in most areas, but in one area (Maseno School for the Deaf) pupils and other people were denied a chance to participate in the activities. This happened because of bad leadership and other issues. However, the Deaf teachers went on with the day-activities and eventually brought many impacts to the community.

In areas like Nyang’oma (Bondo), Mumias, Kuja and Nairobi the event went on peacefully. So many people were eager to get to know more about the Deaf rights and Sign Language. Major activities that were carried out in Kfdt branches were as followed:

1. Football and Volleyball matches.

2. Celebrations in Deaf churches and visiting hospitals.

3. Walks through the streets to catch the attention of other citizens.

4. Teaching Sign Language, Deaf rights and the Finger alphabet to people (e.g. Piki Piki guys) and government officials like the police.

In some areas Deaf Teachers were carrying a Banner saying: “DEAF WEEK. Theme: Yes! Sign Language.”. The event attracted a lot of people on the streets, on the market, in the shops etc. Some of them joined the activities of the Deaf and Hearing Teachers, others stopped working because of their huge interest in this new area. We distributed them with some leaflets (The Finger alphabet and numbers).

In the future (next year) Kfdt is going to carry out a well planned event which should take place countrywide to ensure national recognition on the rights of the Deaf children, teachers and other adults. The Kfdt is really determining to ensure that the Deaf education has a good reflection for the Deaf children in Kenya.

There is always a need for funds to ensure its activities are carried out effectively.

Now I may take this opportunity on behalf of Kfdt to say THANK YOU friends and supporters. Without you the Deaf Week event this year would not have been such a big success. Thank you again and we are really looking forward to continue working with you to bring the change we want and the chance we believe in Deaf education in Kenya.

Asante sana! Austine Otieno

Kenya Football Federation for the Deaf & the Deaf Women Volleyball Team

2009-08-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Kisumu, 7th August of 2009. Kisumu is crowded with people in green Safaricom T-shirts. On the back it says : Kenya Football Federation for the Deaf. Hundreds of them are walking through the streets of the town from the Matatu stage to the two stadiums, holding a big banner. It's a great atmosphere, full of laughter, and the spirit to have a wonderful weekend.
This year the Nyanza Deaf Women Volleyball Team participates for the first time in this kind of event for the Deaf.
It is the first time that women teams in general are a part of it.
Besides almost 10 men teams (playing football and volleyball), from places around Nairobi till Kisumu, three women teams (only volleyball) want to show what they can and show how hard they have worked during the last months. The teams are coming from Kisumu, Nakuru and Nairobi.
The weather is great during the day so that the first day turns out as a fantastic start. The women finish their games the same day. Nairobi team on the first place, Kisumu second and Nakuru third. Our Kisumu team played great, good looking in their new uniforms.
Hopefully the teams are able to participate in the next competitions in December and April as well.
But with this great spirit and motivation nothing is going to keep them away from more wonderful experiences and days during these events.
Thank you very much for those days. Looking forward to more of them. This was just the beginning. A very great one!

Nyanza Deaf Women Volleyball Team

2009-08-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the Kenya Federation of Deaf Teachers (KFDT) and the Deaf Community Sport terms in Nyanza, I (as the national chairman) would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to friends and well-wishers who have given their contribution towards the Deaf Women Volleyball team through our patron Nele Gabriel.

We were able to buy some uniforms. This gave us the possibility to participate in the National Deaf Volleyball Competition 2009.

This was the first time for the Deaf Women Volleyball Team to participate in such a competition and we all hope that the teams are able to participate in the next competitions as well.

Thank you all for your cooperation and support.

Best regards,

Austine Otieno

Maseno School for the Deaf Homepage

2009-08-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

Read more about the school:
www.masdeaf.com

TARGET GROUPS of KFDT and PROGRAMMES

2009-07-27T23:15:00.000-07:00

KFDT uses many ways to fulfill its mission.

Target groups of KFDT are:
-Deaf children
-Parents of the deaf children
-Deaf teachers
-Government, NGOs and other organizations interesting in support the Deaf people
-Media
-Employers
-Schools for the Deaf
-Deaf communities

PROGRAMMES OF THE KENYA FEDERATION OF DEAF TEACHERS
In order to fulfill its mandates KFDT do the following programmes:

1. Education
KFDT plays a major rule in:
a] providing technical support to the institution for the Deaf on ways to improve Deaf education.
b] Involving in curriculum developments for the Deaf in conjunctions with the Kenya Institute of Education.
c] Encouraging deaf students to be trained as teachers
d] Facilitate the use of Sign Language in schools and in the general public

2. Bursary and sponsorship:
KFDT has established a bursary scheme from which deaf children, who are orphans and whose parents are unable to pay the boarding fees, get financial support. These kind of help supports them to get primary, post primary or college education.
They act as a role model to the other deaf people.
80% of the Deaf people in Kenya have never entered a classroom. We call for help to enable many deaf children to get access to the educational system and to stop the drop in education.

3. PUBLICITY:
KFDT is currently carrying out public campaigns to disseminate information about the different programmes to create awareness to the public about the problems of the
Hearing impairment.

- Organizing of seminaries and workshops to make the community aware of the needs of deaf children and adults in the country.
- Organizing sport events for both deaf children and a adults.
- Sign language awareness creation to the general public

4. HEALTH:
KFDT is carrying out health programmes to the deaf people on emergency issues like Aids/HIVS,smoking,etc. Most of these activities are carried out through awareness events like sports, drama and seminars.

5. FUND RAISING:
The Federation relies on voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations to carry out its activities.
For this reason KFDT is involved in fund raising programmes inside and outside the country.
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS:
You can help the KFDT to achieve it activities by:
Sponsoring a deaf child or a deaf student who wants to join college or secondary school.
Giving donation to KFDT and help the federation in fund raising.
Providing your skills on voluntary basis to KFDT.
Providing materials and financial support to help the KFDT in organizing sports, drama, seminars.
Assisting the KFDT to educate hearing people to accept the deaf people in the community.

Thank you very much! The Kenya Federation of Deaf Teacher

Some Pics and Stories

2009-07-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

DeafBlind children are taking their lunch. They have a small unit at Maseno School for the Deaf. Most of them have a certain kind of disability. The majority of them have no parents. Some of their parents separated and abandoned them after finding out that the child is deafblind. Those children really need help to meet their daily challenges in life like schooling, employment, awareness to their families, so that they can change their negative attitudes towards them.

Deaf Kids are participating in drama and sports which is one of the Kids programs. It is not always easy for them to attend such programs because of a lack of sports equipments like balls, clothes, transport fund and among others.

Two of the many Deaf orphans whose life has been turned upside down as they hardly get adequate education. Since the majority of the pupils at Maseno School are orphans, some really depend on their relatives and friends who feel the need of helping them. Not all of them often complete their education because of a lack of sponsors to support them.

Maseno Deaf Self Help Group (MDSHG -> other post) members participate in the seminar organized by Brand Kenya. The group has been active in Deaf community Development, giving awareness to the general public about Deafness, their needs, care and support. Many people do not know the needs of Deaf children because of traditional believe about the Deaf.

Many Deaf men, women and youths are members of the group. They developed skills in different professions like carpeting, tailoring, farming and many others. But they hardly find a job to be able to live a normal life because of the ignorant knowledge an about the Deaf by the Kenya Government. Donations and Support towards the group can help us to start carpeting and tailoring workshops, farming to enable the members to take care of their families and even open a new way for the young Deaf people who are still in school to join their activities to change their lives.

Austine Otieno, chairman of the Kenya Federation of the Deaf teacher, presents a ball to the Deaf youths, including members of Deaf Ministry and the Deaf Youth Program (Health, Sports, Awareness, Drama and Dance and many other). The Deaf youth are a mostly forgotten youth group. There is a great need of providing awareness of the emergency issues like HIV/AIDS campaigns, unemployment, drug abuse etc. If they are given opportunities to participate in the various activities, such as awareness programs, they will be finally seen as useful members of the society in the future. Since most of the emergency issues focus on the hearing people the Deaf are left behind. Help is needed in order to overcome the challenges, e.g. starting carpeting workshop or a health club, drama club and more. Your support on whatever in form of funds, materials, skills will help them a lot.

MDSHG

2009-07-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

MASENO DEAF SELF HELP GROUP was founded in March 10^th 2005 and registered under the Ministry of Social Service within the law of Kenya.

MDSHG is an non-profit making organization operating within Maseno School for the Deaf, Kisumu City in western Part of Kenya.

It has considered the need and necessity for a self-help group to cater for the welfare and the interest of the Deaf within Maseno, Luanda and part of Kisumu in Nyanza Province of Kenya.

MDSHG expects to achieve the following objectives as in its constitution:

Raising funds for the implementation of the project activities
Trying to establish various projects to employ members (unemployed) in the activities
Offering Career guidance and Family Life Education for the members
Offering advice and general assistance to individual members in business managements
Cooperating with financial partners in implementing project activities
Assisting and encouraging the formation of Deaf woman's Self-help Group and other specialist programs for the furthering of the overall aims of the Group.
Training the school learners and equip them with skills for preparation of self employment
Facilitating Deaf Culture (The use of Sign Language)
Promoting Deaf- awareness to hearing community members to encourage parents who have Deaf children to take them to school

MDSHG has 18 Deaf members whose majority are youths, seeking leadership capacity and self sustainability to achieve uniformity development among its members.

MDSHG plan of Actions:

Seeking for financial partners to assist in its implementation of its objectives
Promoting stuff development that will equip its members with leadership quality in project management and knowledge in various fields of careers expectations
Trying to establish various projects that will help evadicate poverty among its unemployed members to enable them to earn meaning for living. Thus will eventually raise the standard of living.
Facilitating Deaf Culture by encourage the use of Kenya Sign Language (KSL) in school of the Deaf. Hearing teacher will be equipped with the necessary sign skills to help them cope with the teaching curriculum for better performance in the National Examination.
Promoting Deaf Education by creating awareness to both Deaf and Hearing communities and health issues such as HIV/AIDS campaigns and encourage the Deaf parents who have Deaf children to take them to school.

The Chairman

Maseno Deaf Self Help Group (MDSHG) in Maseno, Kenya

Email:

masenodeaf@yahoo.com
ka1george@yahoo.com

Looking forward to cooperate and work with you!

Welcome to Maseno! Karibu Kenya!

Thank you in advance! Asante sana!

Account of Donation

2009-06-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Accountnumber: 270113376

BLZ: 593 501 10

Kreissparkasse Saarlouis

Code: Kenya

Name: Nele Gabriel

If you have any questions, please send an email or post here. If you want to sponsor any specific topic, please let us know.And of course we are going to post all the information about the final destination of the funds.

Asante sana! Thank you very much!

KFDT

2009-06-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

KFDT

The Kenya Federation of Deaf Teacher was found in 2003 by the Deaf who are teachers in Kenya. It was registered in 2006 and has its head office in Kisumu City. It has 8 branches in each province of Kenya. Currently the Federation keeps over 100 Deaf members busy.
The Federation has different membership categories including ordinary association and honoring members.
The Federation focus on the Deaf education to provide means for cooperation among its members and the expression of their collective views and decision affecting the interest of Deaf education and the teaching profession in Kenya, sponsorships for projects e.g. Sign Language workshops for parents of deaf children, Sign Language awareness campaigns to the general public, Sign Language research, career guidance and health education to the Deaf, education in sports and among others.

Achievements

1.Deaf awareness raising in the schools for the Deaf
2.Organizing seminars for members and teachers through collaboration with the Global Deaf Connection.
3.Participating in organizations of drama, sports etc for the Deaf in Kenya
4.Providing health education
5.Equality of the Deaf in socio-political and economic matters

Problems

Since the Federation is very young it depends on hard working members. Funds, sponsorships and contributions (mainly from members and partnerships with other organizations like the Global Deaf Connection) are needed to be able to carry out the achievements.

Requests

The Federation doesn't exist to make profit out of it. We rely on donors and well wishers to enable us carrying out the activities. We therefore appeal to any group or individual to help us in contribution towards any of the activities below:
1.Sign Language awareness raising
2.Health education
3.Sponsoring a project like deaf children sports

Plan of Action

Seeking for funds to assist in carrying out of the activities.
Organizing stuff training.
Giving public awareness about KFDT and problems facing Deaf teachers and Deaf in the Country.
Organizing seminars for parents of the Deaf in order to help them understand their children (Teaching KSL, information about Deafness and Deaf education)

If you any questions regarding to this organization please contact us.

Austine Otieno
(email): elizipem@yahoo.com
or through Nele Gabriel
Thank you very much!

Back in Kenya!

2009-06-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

KARIBU KENYA!

Back in Kisumu!

It's great to be back!I went to the school in Maseno several times now. With the help of the teachers and the pupils I hope I will be able to communicate in KSL very soon .

Everyone was happy to see me again. And for me the same. It's just great to come back to a place with so many nice people who are willing to help. Austine and me, we made a lot of plans for the next months.

For my research I just have to find a topic for my Diploma/Magister thesis and focus on interviews and learning more about the Deaf culture and community here in Kisumu/Maseno, Kenya.

Austine (one of the deaf teachers at Maseno who gives me most of the information to post) was elected to be chairman for the Kenya Federation for Deaf Teacher (KFDT → see other post). That means he has a lot of work: Preparing events for the children, Organizing meetings, searching for funds, and many more.

It was so interesting to listen and to talk about how this Organization could work in a better sustainable way.

And there will be a lot to do in the next months: A sport event is coming up in Kisumu for the Deaf, a meeting of the Deaf teacher in July, planning summer camps and activities during summer break (starting in August), a big KFDT meeting in September.....

So I am really looking forward to the next months and to be a part of all this.

Besides working with the Federation I am going to work at the school to improve my knowledge about the Kenya Sign Language, to learn more about the culture and the community, doing parts of my research, helping wherever I can (e.g. with funds → see post about Account of Donation) to be a part of the improvement of the situation for the Deaf in Maseno/Kisumu.

Some days during the week I am also attending the Sign Language Class at the Office for the Deaf here in Kisumu. I am going to write more about the work of the office and Osano (teaching KSL there). Just to mention some work: HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns (VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing)), Courses in Sign Language for medical personnel, social workers, teachers, police officers, health workers, etc. Besides this the office with its nice surrounding is a social meeting place for the Deaf .

But more about this topic in another post.

Enough for now! I ll keep you updated!

Hope to hear some feedback!

Greetings from Kisumu

Deaf Ministry in Kisumu

2009-03-30T00:44:00.000-07:00

Deaf Ministry was started in 2004 in Kisumu, Kenya.
Its mission is to spread the word of God to Deaf children and adults throughout Nyanza Province of Western Kenya. The members' activities include:
- Organizing sports competitions for Deaf and hearing
- Providing Deaf awareness and sign language recognition to the general public through drama
- Providing guidance and counseling for Deaf people in areas such as health and
employment
- Encouraging self-sufficiency with projects such as vegetable growing.
The vision of the deafministry is to meet the social and spiritual needs of the deaf, and deafblind people through innovation christian work.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

1. Child and student sponsor

Deaf ministry is providing an opportunity for the deaf/deafblind in western Kenya to get an education. Without this help ,the cycle of poverty and ignorance will continue. By sponsoring one or two of these children or young adults you are helping us to break that chain.

For $35 USD,15 Pound or 35 EURO per month you can help us to equip them to lead full and productive lives.

2. Evangelist and church support

Deaf ministry is represented on every church for the deaf. 15 churches are bringing GoodNews to the deaf and deafblind people. Your financial and prayful support of a deaf worker is one way that you help the spread the gospel to the deaf and deafblind peolple.

3. Sponsor a project

How about an agricultural project, sewing workshop, carpentry, health project, camp, sign language project, deaf/deafblind awareness project and among others. These projects are to help deaf/deafblind people in need of employments and self esteem.

To get in touch with us contact us through Nele Gabriel and learn more about us.

It starts...

2009-03-11T06:26:00.001-07:00

This School for the Deaf is located in Maseno, a 20-minutes Matatu ride from Kisumu.
I had a great time spending some days at the school and I am happy to return this summer for an internship.
I am going to post more information about the school and other important connections soon and hope to get help from my friends on the spot ;)

My time in Kangundo

2009-03-11T06:12:00.001-07:00

I spent my first time of my Kenya-safari in Kangundo. In search of Schools for the Deaf I was introduced to my hostfamily in Kangundo. Me and some other volunteers (Hey Julia, Anna and Martino) stayed with Alice and her family in a wonderful house some minutes walk from the center of Kangundo. Alice is in charge of the Halfway Home Care and Support Center (see other post).
I worked for three weeks at the Kathithiyamaa Primary School in the Special Section for mentally handicapped children.
Although it wasn’t the school I was looking for (School for the Deaf) I had a great time and learned a lot about the kenyan school system and the way of life in Kangundo and surrounding.

Besides working at the school and having a wonderful time with my hostfamily we helped working at the Halfway Home Care and Support Center. Every Saturday there was a lot to do: Cooking, playing, organizing.... creating a good time for the children!

HALFWAY HOME CARE AND SUPPORT CENTER

2009-03-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

HALFWAY HOME CARE AND SUPPORT CENTER

P.O BOX 1480 – 90115,KANGUNDO.

TEL: 0722816725(Alice)

Email: halfwaycare@yahoo.com/waenia@yahoo.com

HALFWAY HOME CARE AND SUPPORT CENTER (HALFWAY)

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.

1.1 The Halfway home care and support center (HHCSC) was founded on the basis of creating a favorable environment in order to alleviate the unfortunate situations facing the children orphaned and made vulnerable by the HIV/Aids pandemic.

The project runs as a community based organization registered in the year 2004, 7^th December with registration number MKS/CD/1/R/G 1930, under the ministry of gender sports and culture.

1. VISION : Home for the homeless orphans and the elderly, comfort for the weak and hope for the despaired.

2. MISSION : Caring for the neglected orphans and elderly guardians due to HIV/Aids by supporting them with meals, clothing, psychological and spiritual support, comforting all of them through positive interactions and attitude building.

1.2 The center partners with other institutions to effectively meet its objectives which include food and material support, forming effective approaches to famine prediction and food assessment methodologies, information on farming understandings and improvements, techniques and managerial skills, disease control and treatment, home based care therapies. Other institutions and organizations the center has partnered with include Kanco, Amref, Ministry of health, Religious institutions, local authority and other Community based organizations. Through this, the center has acquired information through trainings held e.g by the ARMREF, MOH and KANCO.

2.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT AND JUSTIFICATION.

With positive proven progress, life expectancy has greatly increased and the remaining challenge is the reduction of the high rate of new infections taking into account the need for behavioral and lifestyle change, capacity building among the affected and infected, advocating for nutritious consumption of foodstuffs, treatment seeking and adherence. The impact in the above changes will be felt if poverty levels drop and the infected middle aged groups will have enough strength and be able to work and provide for their families. The center hopes to better the livelihoods of the affected and infected by activating the above.

Food insecurity in kangundo division has been a big challenge since 1984, the area is over populated with poor agricultural practices and balancing, high cost of farm inputs e.g fertilizers, hybrid seedlings and labor which has enhanced poor productions and high pricing of food commodities.

The center has foreseen the food shortage to be felt in a few months time with the recent political instability felt in the country that affected the country’s main food basket region (the north rift) and the rapid selling of maize and beans by farmers in kangundo region to other areas at a profit will leave the area with no stored food. The doubling of food items has also pushed more families deeper into poverty. Demographic changes, changing diets, energy prices and climate changes has increased the high cost of living at a higher percentage living the destitute children scrambling for survival.

The center wishes to be funded in order to secure a better livelihood of the orphaned and other vulnerable children’s lives by putting into practice food production and preservation methods using alternative farming cultures and to expand their income generating activities.

3.0 PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Some of the identified activities include beekeeping for honey harvesting, sisal and beadwork, vegetable production and selling, dairy goat breeding, and aquaculture.

These activities will benefit both the beneficiaries and the communities in general in that more knowledge will be dispersed to more people and commodities made available in bulk e.g dairy goat’s highly nutritious milk and butter, availability of food tubers and vegetables even in dry periods, honey and royal jelly etc. Out of this fifty-two beneficiaries will have access to a balanced meal at a free cost and six children living with HIV/Aids will benefit from the dairy goat, fish and bee products.

The guardians are directly involved in implementing the projects by actively being involved in both project planning implementation and progressive undertakings. During school holidays the beneficiaries are trained on beadwork making which is finished and final commodities sold at a profit.

The activities are carried out on a roaster schedule since the projects are not in the same compound. Three members donated their farms in order to each appoint and monitor oneself on a particular project for better achievements. The group rented trees at katine to hang their bee hives and together with the willing guardians are trained on bee keeping and honey harvesting. This they identified as a very lucrative business with a kilogram of honey costing 200kshs.

The projects run with the help of Agricultural officers, Nalep,Fisheries department,Busy bees beekeepers who assist materially, with knowledge and practical skills.

PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION.

Both external and internal evaluators selected by the halfway home care and support center members carry out monitoring and evaluation. The officials who include the chairlady, treasurer, secretary and members are selected as the internal evaluators while officials from the agricultural offices are the external ones. Activities are measured as successful by the quantity and quality of the end product if of a greater quantity and quality. A progressive report is filled according to the daily undertaking and produce and compared to the initial undertakings.

The projects are an income source to the center, knowledge and skills are given and set as examples, availability of commodities at cheaper price instead of traveling to Tala or Nairobi market for fish, pure honey or dairy goat milk it will be at a nearer outlet.

Challenges that could affect the project include climatical changes, lack of enough resources, thefts and political instabilities.

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY.

The integration of alternative farming e.g. Aquaculture and beekeeping which are long term and seasonal friendly will ensure enough circulation of money to run the center and other seasonal income generating activities e.g. vegetable farming.

This are also permanent projects since they are reproductive and multiplies in a short period of time e.g. A dairy Goat gives birth twice a year. The fish reproduce in tens, and the bees are natural and at a free cost!

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

Group members will each invite other groups from different villages to attend all the agricultural, health or any other training held. Announcements will also be done in nearby churches and area chief’s camps for any willing persons to attend. Incase of funding the group treasurer will account and prepare breakdowns on every purchase or sale of an item. This will be read to the participating members on a weekly basis and the chairlady will countersign.

The project is child focused though it involves both men and women despite of their age, race or religion.

Below is a six month budget cost per activity.

SIX-MONTH FEEDING PROGRAM.

ACTIVITY	UNIT	NO.OF UNITS	UNIT RATE	TOTAL COST
Nutritional support.	Bags of beans	10	4800	48000
Nutritional support.	Bags of maize	12	3200	38400
	Green grams	50kgs	80	4000
	Soya flour	30kgs	100	3000
	Millet flour	50kgs	80	4000
	Cooking fat	30kgs	120	3600
	Fuel	7bags	450	3150
	Salt	6pkts	10	60
	Sugar	50kgs	64	3200
	Total			107,410

Sustainable long-term nutritional support.

1. Dairy goat breeding/high protein milk.

Dairy goats

Transport (from source)

Structure materials

12000

15000

48000

15000

45000

TOTAL

108,000

The two dairy goats will benefit ten children living with HIV/Aids and sale a liter per day at the cast of 120Kshs that will be saved in a separate account for the benefit of the children.

The center is also awaiting for the aqua project that also needs expansion since the fish are almost breeding and there is need for decongestion. The cost of the extra fish pond will be posted as soon as we hold meetings with the fisheries officer.

The center hopes that they will get partners who will be willing to run the above prioritized areas of need and all are welcome.

Welcome!!

2009-01-27T09:32:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

This Blog is about the School for the Deaf in Maseno, a town in Kisumu District of Nyanza Province, Kenya.
Besides the school this blog is about the Kenya Sign Language, Deaf Culture and Commuity, Tuungane Youth Center and many other areas, e.g. projects in Kangundo (Halfway Home Care and Support Center).

We are two students from Germany. Kathrin is studying Psychology in Trier. Nele, a current exchange-student at the University of Uppsala (Sweden), is studying Special Education and Cultural Anthropology in Mainz.

Maseno School for the Deaf is a Diocesan school project under the Anglican Church of Kenya.
The school is one of the largest schools for the Deaf in Kenya with a population of 220 deaf and 10 deafblind children, 21 teachers and 28 support stuff.

Nele: I want to talk about my experiences in Kenya during my stay from September 2008 until January 2009. In this coming up summer I am going back to Maseno to carry out an internship for a period of three months.

Kathrin: I will tell you more about my internship at Tuungane last year. I stayed for 6 weeks in Kenya and worked at the Tuungane Youth Center in Kisumu. It is a model centre providing youth friendly services within this province.

We hope many people will share their experiences here!!

Furthermore we are going to open an account for donations. Most of the activities for the children are still depending on donors. We look forward to working together with people in Maseno, Kisumu and Kangundo and to find out where help is needed.
Besides this account we re trying to look for a partnership between a school in Germany (or Sweden) and the school for the Deaf in Maseno.

Of course there is not just the school in Maseno. But more stories will follow.... :)

For more ideas, information and questions please email:
kidsofmaseno@gmail.com
Or: post here!

Thanks for visiting this page!!

Nele & Kathrin

Kids-of-Maseno

New Homepage

Nyaweri (Nyanza Western Rift Valley) Deaf VCT Centre

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) sessions and examples

HIV treatment

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT)

STOBBEHOLZE NEL DEAF AND DEAFBLIND CHILDREN CENTRE

Sponsorship for a child

A new Volleyball and net for the Nyanza Volleyball Teams

Deaf Week

THE DEAF WEEK

Kenya Football Federation for the Deaf & the Deaf Women Volleyball Team

Nyanza Deaf Women Volleyball Team

Maseno School for the Deaf Homepage

TARGET GROUPS of KFDT and PROGRAMMES

Some Pics and Stories

MDSHG

Account of Donation

KFDT

Back in Kenya!

Deaf Ministry in Kisumu

It starts...

My time in Kangundo

HALFWAY HOME CARE AND SUPPORT CENTER

HALFWAY HOME CARE AND SUPPORT CENTER

ACTIVITY

UNIT

Total

TOTAL

Welcome!!