The Plight of the Forgotten Deaf
by Rt Rev Michael Jarrett - Director, Missionary Bishop - United Anglican Church Province II
It has been said “to not be able to hear is a nuisance, but to not be able to communicate a tragedy”.
Every good thing in our lives comes from the ability to communicate: friendship, learning, questioning,
discovering our world and interacting in it, as well as searching for spiritual meaning.
Can you imagine being born deaf & having no opportunity to learn how to communicate?
This is the situation for many of the deaf in developing countries. The deaf are often treated as though they are incapable of learning, mentally deficient & even demon possessed in developing countries like Cameroon.
Without education the deaf are unable to read, write and sign, leaving them trapped in a silent world, destined for poverty. Without a voice, the deaf are easily victimized, with no recourse or expectation of justice.
Cameroon has only a handful of schools to serve the deaf. Because there has been a lack of for the deaf, no one actually knows just how many deaf exist in Cameroon but it is estimated to be in the tens of thousands.
For all these deaf children there are only about ten schools in the entire nation.
Education is not free and each family must pay for their deaf child’s education. Simply put, most parents in Cameroon cannot afford to send their deaf children to school... even if there was one near them.
In Matthew 25 31:46 Jesus tells the story of the end of days when He will separate the “sheep” from the “goats”.
His point in this Scripture is that when we take care of those marginalized in society, (the poor, forgotten deaf, handicapped, etc.) we are taking care of Him.
And the Scripture warns that if we neglect those “forgotten” by society, we are neglecting Him.
This Scripture motivates me, because I believe it is important that we do something about this situation in Cameroon where many of the deaf are given no opportunity to learn to communicate.
As a pastor, my heart goes out to the deaf who have never “heard” the Gospel.
As a fellow human being, I want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the joy of communicating!
But for any of this to happen the deaf must be given the change to learn to communicate….
only then will they be able to have what we take for granted.
That is why we are supporting a school for the deaf in Cameroon. Our goal is to create a self- sustaining school that will teach the deaf to communicate and train them in a vocation.
We know that if we teach a child to communicate we have changed his destiny.
When we help the forgotten deaf, we have remembered those who are close to the Father’s heart”!
ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE DEAF
Friends of the Deaf is a inter-denominational mission society with a passion for bringing the Good News of Jesus to the "forgotten deaf" in Cameroon and other developing countries.
The Forgotten Deaf are those who are isolated by distance, geography, & marginalized socially, with little chance of learning to read, write, or sign...unless they receive assistance.
Founded by Rev Michael Jarrett and his wife Mary, Friends of the Deaf International partners with the deaf and the hearing in developing countries, to evangelize, disciple, educate & empower the deaf through education.
Currently our main emphasis is working with the Dr. Andrew Foster Deaf School in Cameroon
Our ministry is available to visit churches, schools, deaf schools and clubs to share how they can be involved in helping the forgotten deaf in developing countries. Email us for more information.
by Rt Rev Michael Jarrett - Director, Missionary Bishop - United Anglican Church Province II
It has been said “to not be able to hear is a nuisance, but to not be able to communicate a tragedy”.
Every good thing in our lives comes from the ability to communicate: friendship, learning, questioning,
discovering our world and interacting in it, as well as searching for spiritual meaning.
Can you imagine being born deaf & having no opportunity to learn how to communicate?
This is the situation for many of the deaf in developing countries. The deaf are often treated as though they are incapable of learning, mentally deficient & even demon possessed in developing countries like Cameroon.
Without education the deaf are unable to read, write and sign, leaving them trapped in a silent world, destined for poverty. Without a voice, the deaf are easily victimized, with no recourse or expectation of justice.
Cameroon has only a handful of schools to serve the deaf. Because there has been a lack of for the deaf, no one actually knows just how many deaf exist in Cameroon but it is estimated to be in the tens of thousands.
For all these deaf children there are only about ten schools in the entire nation.
Education is not free and each family must pay for their deaf child’s education. Simply put, most parents in Cameroon cannot afford to send their deaf children to school... even if there was one near them.
In Matthew 25 31:46 Jesus tells the story of the end of days when He will separate the “sheep” from the “goats”.
His point in this Scripture is that when we take care of those marginalized in society, (the poor, forgotten deaf, handicapped, etc.) we are taking care of Him.
And the Scripture warns that if we neglect those “forgotten” by society, we are neglecting Him.
This Scripture motivates me, because I believe it is important that we do something about this situation in Cameroon where many of the deaf are given no opportunity to learn to communicate.
As a pastor, my heart goes out to the deaf who have never “heard” the Gospel.
As a fellow human being, I want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the joy of communicating!
But for any of this to happen the deaf must be given the change to learn to communicate….
only then will they be able to have what we take for granted.
That is why we are supporting a school for the deaf in Cameroon. Our goal is to create a self- sustaining school that will teach the deaf to communicate and train them in a vocation.
We know that if we teach a child to communicate we have changed his destiny.
When we help the forgotten deaf, we have remembered those who are close to the Father’s heart”!
ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE DEAF
Friends of the Deaf is a inter-denominational mission society with a passion for bringing the Good News of Jesus to the "forgotten deaf" in Cameroon and other developing countries.
The Forgotten Deaf are those who are isolated by distance, geography, & marginalized socially, with little chance of learning to read, write, or sign...unless they receive assistance.
Founded by Rev Michael Jarrett and his wife Mary, Friends of the Deaf International partners with the deaf and the hearing in developing countries, to evangelize, disciple, educate & empower the deaf through education.
Currently our main emphasis is working with the Dr. Andrew Foster Deaf School in Cameroon
- provide monthly funds to help run the school by sponsoring deaf children
- to build classrooms, dormitory, and other essential buildings.
- develop vocational programs to assist deaf students find employment
- provide scholarships for students to attend school vocational programs
Our ministry is available to visit churches, schools, deaf schools and clubs to share how they can be involved in helping the forgotten deaf in developing countries. Email us for more information.
