In 2003 we started with the “school on a mat” in a large village containing many deaf children. A group of children, 14-18 years old, receive daily a few hours training in sign-language, by means fo visualisation and referrers. F.e. by collecting vegetables and fruits and show the children the concerned gestures, they learn step by step to understand and be understood, by means of gestures. If there are no referrers available, the subject is drawn in the sand and the gesture involved taught. In the meantime this group of children got their own real classroom in the regular school of hearing persons.

The rwandese word Komera means ‘be strong’ or ‘be courageous’.

At this champ in the jungle of Rwanda in the midst of the poor population, 3 family homes and 3 classrooms are located for 40 children with a restriction. A home for deaf children, a home for severe traumatized children and a home for children with a cerebral- sometimes physical disability. They all have problems in communicating.

Komera’s goal is, to free children within these sections from their respective isolation and to give them acces to their rights as a human being. The core of the programm is to offer children and their families a specialized way of communication.

In Komera live and learn 40 children with a communicative restriction. This group, their parents and family are offered complete communication (T.C.). This method uses to the optimum all sorts of communication: speech, lip-read, written language, body language, gestures and gesture language and visual techniques like photo’s, pictogramms and comic strips.

school for the deaf

With support of other ngo’s the school for deaf in the capital (1995) has extended to a school of full value, which offers very good education to over 160 deaf children, as for local standards. They teach by sign language and visual methods and materials are used. Sports are important as well. Deaf teachers are involved, being of great importance for the children, by communicational aspects and as examples for the future.

Constructing of Maison des Sourds

a space to meet, learn and work for deaf

space for 60 deaf

In 2009 we realised the Maison des Sourds (House of the Deaf). This project offers education in alphabethisation and sign-language for 60 deaf youngsters. Aside this, employment for deaf is created, like a sewing atelier, hairdressing, library, an office for organisations for deaf people, a carpenter’s- and a furniture studio, art studio, a bakery and space to expose and sell products. A kitchen and toilets are available: thus visitors can have a cup of tea.

An outside mosque has been constructed, for deaf people who can see their deaf imam (sign-language) and thus will be able to practise their prayers.

info by visualisation

finger-spell for deaf

a visualisation by deaf artists

F.e, by visualising important and daily issues young deaf people, who visit Maison des Sourds, receive the for them indispensable varied information.

To discover, visualize and learn sign -language, highly contributes to a happier life for this group of deaf, mostly illiterate people.