As part of my company's community and charity work, we are involved with a project in Rwanda, supporting very under priveledged deaf children.
As you prepare for
the celebration of Christmas, buying presents and baking the cakes and mince
pies, please spare a thought for those less fortunate than we are.
This is Israel. He is 11 yrs old, and until May this year, he had never been to school. He was born profoundly deaf, into a very poor rural family in Rwanda. His mother has since died, and he was discovered by ‘Chance for Childhood’ workers in Rwanda when they were visiting remote villages in the Nyabihu District. His father is very poor. Israel had no decent clothes, the ones he is wearing are made at the School for him. His shoes are far too big, but he has shoes!
When he arrived at
the school, he knew no sign language, could not read or write, and communicated
by gesture. There are no hearing aids available to him either. But
he has proved to be a quick learner! He has learnt the alphabet, signs
for many practical things and basic numbers and arithmetic. He enjoys
school and has made friends with whom he can communicate.
Israel will get no
presents this Christmas. However, Chance for Childhood and Nyabihu
Demonstration Centre for the Deaf, are giving him the best present they can – a
language, the chance of an education, vocational training when he is
older, friends just like him, three meals a day, access to health care and much
more. They are giving him a chance to move out of abject poverty, - a future
where he could earn a living and provide for his family.
There are 109
children just like him at the Centre. However, the Centre is in a rented
building, which is in very poor condition, and part of it is due for demolition
next year to make room for a new road. But they have acquired land to
build a new purpose built Centre. The plans for the building are now being
drawn up and the next stage will be to start building. Just £5 will buy
100 bricks, and we need a lot of bricks!
Please donate what
you can so that children like Israel can have a more secure future.
Thank you.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/NNS
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