Nzeve School for the Deaf
Zimbabwe
Many children who are deaf in Zimbabwe are assumed to be cursed in local tradition.
Nzeve Deaf Children's Centre, is located in the high density suburb of Sakubva, Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe. Since 2000, Nzeve has provided early intervention for deaf children and a range of other specialist services for the deaf community in Manicaland. Operation orphan has been supporting this incredible project since 2012 and continues to provide termly support.
The Problem
Younger children with disabilities are often left out as many disability projects place more focus on children in schools and youth. There are gaps in service delivery in the very early years of persons with disability. Education for any child starts from the day they are born, through interaction and connection with the people and exploration of the world around them through their senses. But for children with disabilities many of these early learning opportunities are hindered by the effects of their impairment. Discrimination and negative cultural perspectives of disability instil fear of rejection and stigmatisation, discouraging parents from seeking appropriate support and services for their child with a disability. Parents of deaf children, particularly mothers carry much of the burden caused by discriminatory practices and cultural beliefs that put them under pressure to seek traditional “cures” for their child’s disability believed to be caused by curses. Fears of discrimination delays acceptance and deters them from seeking appropriate services and help for their child at an early age. Therefore limiting their child’s opportunity for a better life in the future.
What are we doing about it
Nzeve uses a family/ community centred approach to early identification and intervention offering the following services:
Screening for hearing
Children identified as deaf are the enrolled at Nzeve ECD centre
Children identified as hearing but with speech and language delays are enrolled in the Parent-child pairs Communication group.
Older children (7 years and above) are referred to the Ministry of Education’s School Psychological Services for placement at schools with Resource Units (Specialist Classes based in mainstream schools) for Deaf children
Case Management – Because of discrimination and lack of understanding about disability, it is often difficult for parents to accept their child’s condition, creating delays to early intervention. Regular follow ups and home visits are needed to ensure, the children are not left behind. At times, it can take 3 years before the parents accept their child’s condition and are convinced to receive appropriate education and health services for their child
Nzeve ECD – Parents are included in the daily learning (and younger siblings too young to leave at home). This improves access to sign language in the home and promotes a better understanding of deaf culture and the needs of deaf children among parents and families
Communication group – Parent-child pairs meet regularly for group sessions, sharing ideas on how to support their child’s development through play and daily activities at home. A speech therapist visits the groups once a month for group therapy and assessments. Where possible, Physio and occupational therapists are invited to talk to parents and help them gain a better understanding of their child’s condition and needs for support
Parenting meetings – these are group meetings discuss common issue, affecting them and their children. These platforms are also used to share information on social, educational, health, and legal matters that affect families and persons with disabilities
Parent support groups – Parent support groups are supported by Nzeve but run by the parents themselves. There are currently two support groups – one for parents of deaf children, youth and adults; and the other for Parents of the Communication group. Support groups address issues that directly affect members of their group and their children. They find ways to participate in solving the issues and raising awareness in their communities.
Parent and Deaf mentors – Mentors are selected and trained from among parents, deaf youth and deaf adults. Their role is to support parents and families struggling with acceptance, by sharing their personal journeys. They are also involved in community deaf awareness targeting villages from which the ECD children come. Community awareness is aimed at reducing discrimination and promoting community support for the deaf child and the family in their villages
Business Skills and Income Generating Projects training – Raising a child with a disability comes at an expense and many of the families we work with are low-income earners living in rural areas where basic services are not easy to come by. The business skills component is aimed at equipping families with business skills to successfully run their own income generating projects and improve the economic status of their families. Enabling them to provide the needed support and access to services for the child with a disability.
Who do we want to reach
Deaf Children and children with speech and developmental delays: Primarily ages 0-5 years
Parents of Deaf children and children with speech and developmental delays
Families of the children enrolled in the project.
What your gift will do
Contribute towards costs for audiology and speech therapy services
Purchase of toys and play resources for children attending ECD and group sessions
Training costs for Business skills and income generating projects for parents
Cover transport costs and meals for parents to travel to meeting places with their child.
Equip a mentor parent to reach other families in their communities with information and psycho-social support.
