New Sign Language Programs

Outside the capital, Monrovia, education in Liberia can be very limited. For persons who are deaf, education outside the city is non-existent. Deafness in Liberia is most commonly caused by natural or preventable causes-diseases or from the war. Families do not understand what is wrong with their child, thinking it is something that they must burden with alone. They do not have truthful answers, a support group, or a way to fully communicate with their child.

These boys from a rural village were all identified as having hearing problems (there were possibly more, including girls, but these children were there at the moment). Though they attended the local village school (more than 60 students with one teacher with 11th grade education), they did not have a language to learn with or to communicate.

There are children and families like these all around Liberia. The Hope for the Deaf director and staff have always had the goal to start programs in the rural villages, like the one in Monrovia. They're hope is to begin a sign language tutorial program, then expand to educational services. They have identified two villages, Kakata and Gbarnga, where there is parent interest to start a sign language program for their children.

Even without consistent financial funds to support the program, the Hope staff are dedicated to bringing education to the Deaf in rural Liberia. They understand the importance of having a language, and are passionate about giving a voice to Deaf Liberians. I am proud of the staff of Hope and so glad to be a part of an organization that is helping to rebuild their country in a positive way, one student at a time.

Hague Appeal for Peace

In 1999, civil society organizations from around the world gathered in the Netherlands to discuss what could be done to create a culture of peace among the nations of the world. Their hope was to lay the groundwork for instilling peace within the minds of men rather than violence and war. The conference led to the Hague Agenda for Peace and Justice in the 21st Century, as well as resources to promote educating towards a culture of peace. This led quite well into the United Nations' Decade for a Culture of Peace that was discussed in an earlier blog post.

It is the Peace Lessons from Around the World, compiled by the Hague, that serves as a valuable resource as I prepare for the Peace Education Project this summer. It will provide lesson ideas, as well as history of peace education and discussion of culture of violence and culture of peace.

For further information, please visit the Hague Appeal for Peace website.

Dates Set

Dates have been set for the Peace Education Project this summer.

Arrival: July 11th

Workshop Part 1: July 13-16

Workshop Part 2: July 20-23

Family & Community Day: TBA

Logistics are starting to come together, as well as the materials that we will be using. Look forward to information on topics that will be covered.

Peace

Liberia, Child Soldiers & Peace

Recently, I found a couple of videos about a young Liberian who was a child soldier during the civil war. He became a refugee in Ghana, went through counseling and training, then returned to his home country. As in other countries, child soldiers were heavily used during Liberia's crisis. For youth who were involved in the war and do not receive rehabilitation, like Augustine, face isolation and torment from past experiences. While rehabilitation programs exist in the country, it may take years to reach all the youth that were affected.

I also created a video of my own.

The Peace Education Project aims to bring a piece of the rehabilitation process to Hope for the Deaf school, providing the students with language, knowledge, and a safe environment to have their voice heard so that they may participate in the rebuilding of their country.

Thank you!

It is great to see the support that continues to come in. I have officially reached my goal (and then some) for funds for the workshops specifically. I cannot describe how much I appreciate your willingness to become a part of the peace story in Liberia.

As much as it is important to have further training for the staff at Hope, it is also important for the school to have supplies and materials, and for the staff to receive income for their work. Since there is no public education services readily available for students with disabilities in Liberia, private schools serving persons with disabilities are found within religious organizations, as well as non-government organizations. This means that they most likely choose high fees for the students to attend, or run on very little to maintain an educational environment. The Hope for the Deaf School is technically under the umbrella of the Liberian Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The school has held the believe that education should be accessible for deaf students and has kept their fees low compared to other schools in Monrovia. They run on sporadic donations by generous people in and outside Liberia. Staff income and funds for materials happen by chance. Staff morale is typically low, and it is often difficult to come to work to teach everyday (especially if it costs more than a weeks pay to travel to work). It is through their determination and passion for education that they continue to work, though pay is little.

With this in mind, if you would like to give to the school for staff salary and materials, please continue to use the Chip In button or give through the UMC Advance. When I go, I will give the funds directly to the school.

If you would have any questions, please leave a comment.

Stay tuned for further development of the Peace Education Project.

Peace Education Project Objectives

As planning has continued, it has been great to see the support that has been coming in for the Peace Education Project this summer. Thanks to all those who have learned about the project and have become a part of the grassroots effort to build a sustainable future for the youth of Liberia.

Peace Project Objectives

International Decade for a Culture of Peace

This year marks the last in the International Decade for a Culture of Peace organized and promoted by the United Nations and UNESCO. During the decade, numerous UN, government, and non-government organizations have developed programs and activities to promote a culture of peace. Peace is considered by the UN and researchers not only as the absence of violence, but the restructuring of culture to reflect human rights, social justice, respect for cultural differences, and education for all.

These aspects of peace must be taught, especially in areas where oppression, abuse, inequality, and war has occurred. In Liberia, these instances of violence occurred almost continually for 14 years, and some, especially inequality, still occur today. As students who grew up during war, and students who witness injustices, how do you express your feelings and frustrations in a constructive way? Or if you are Deaf in an unequal world, how do you know the options that could and should be available to you?

It is through the Human Rights Monitor and the staff at the Hope for the Deaf school that I plan to begin the process of teaching, promoting, and instilling in the lives of the students. Even though it is the last year in the Decade for a Culture of Peace, it is only the beginning for the students of Hope.

*In the photo above are children in a rural village who were known to be deaf. They do not know sign language, and have limited access to education.

Peace Education Project: If you would like to give donations to help provide materials and resources for the Peace Education Project this summer, please use the "Chip In" button on the side. 100% of the proceeds will go towards materials for the workshops for the teachers to use and keep for future reference.