 
Contact Address:
St. John's School For The Deaf
Banjul area
Kanifing, MDI Road
Serrekunda, Ksmd
The Gambia, West Africa
Tel no: +220 7709286 or 9331741
Fax: +45 5926 5243
Email: gudrun@jorsing.dk
|
Information:
Saint John's is a special school in Gambia for the hard
of hearing. The school for the hearing impaired was
established in 1984. Its origins go back to 1978 when
a nun in Banjul started teaching 7 deaf boys in her
residence. As news spread about her work a Norwegian
doctor called Hans Grønås and some Catholic priests
began an initiative to get funding for the formation
of an institution for the deaf.
Support came from the Norwegian Agency for Development
Cooperation (NORAD) and the World Bank which enabled
the project to commence with initially 40 students of
mixed sexes. Today there are around 230 Christian and
Muslim pupils and 30 teachers who provide primary and
junior secondary education for the deaf.
The educational institution is operated by the Catholic
Church while the government pays the teachers' salaries.
Due to its size it can only cater for around 25% of
Gambian children who have audiological impairment or
profoundly deaf.
Classes & Courses:
Young boys are taught sign language, metal and wood
work to gain skills in producing chairs, cabinets, tables
etc. These items are then sold to raise funds for the
school's coffers. They also learn the craft of sewing
which may become useful if they want to pursue a career
as a tailor.
The girls a given classes on sign language, child care,
housekeeping duties, needlework and operating a sewing
machine to produce uniforms, batiks and other garments.
Food & Self-Sufficiency:
St. John's has its own large garden which grows fruits
and vegetables which are served as part of a healthy
diet for the the children's dietary requirements.
Sponsorship:
If you wish to sponsor a deaf child then please contact
them at the above address. They will provide you with
regular updates of your sponsored child's progress in
his or her education.
|
