Rwanda 

2016 – 2022

Think Money, Chris Wales, Comic Relief and Team Abana (funding partner) 

Empowering Children with Disabilities (local partner)

Why is the project needed? 

Deaf children in Rwanda face extreme challenges. Without the ability to communicate, they are often excluded from school, leaving them isolated, invisible, and highly vulnerable to abuse. Teachers in mainstream schools typically lack the training to support deaf learners, resulting in these children being left out of education altogether. The Nyabihu School is a vital safe space, offering education and essential communication skills like sign language, lip-reading, and communication in both English and Kinyarwanda.

In Rwanda, deaf children are at risk of exploitation and abuse because they cannot communicate their experiences, leaving them extremely vulnerable. This project ensures they have access to both education and the tools to express themselves and participate in society.

About the Project

The Nyabihu School for Deaf Children, established in 2013, is the only school of its kind in Nyabihu District, Rwanda. It provides comprehensive education and support for around 100 deaf children, ensuring that they receive both academic instruction and specialised communication skills. The school is a critical resource, as there are only seven schools for deaf children across Rwanda, and mainstream teachers are often not trained in inclusive education for deaf learners.

Goals and Objectives

Provide quality education to 100 deaf children in Nyabihu District.

Teach Rwandan Sign Language and lip-reading to improve communication in both English and Kinyarwanda.

Tailor education to each student with individual learning plans (ILPs).

Support new students with sign language learning through a pre-primary class.

Ensure the school is an accredited examination centre for Primary Leaving National Examinations.

Equip students with hearing aids to enhance learning and safety.

Our impact so far 

Established a pre-primary class to teach sign language before primary education.

100 deaf children receive education and communication support.

Achieved accreditation as an examination centre for national exams.

Fitted 16 students with hearing aids for improved learning and safety.

Two students won awards in a national writing competition.

Positive evaluation from the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA).

Continuous work with the Natwe Turashoboye project to support D/deaf girls.