Read more about our work in Cameroon.
Enhancing Education for Deaf Children in Cameroon
Kentalis International Foundation started working in Cameroon in 2024. We partnered up with local organization Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) to improve the capacity of professionals in teaching deaf children how to read. CBCHS had asked us to provide training on this, as they voiced their concern around literacy skills of deaf and hard of hearing children.
Our Mission in Cameroon
A significant challenge to the social inclusion of the Deaf community in Cameroon is the severe shortage of sign language interpreters. With only 10 interpreters available for approximately 30,000 Deaf individuals, access to essential services and effective communication is greatly hindered.
Moreover, the sign language situation in Cameroon is complex. Cameroon Sign Language has been influenced by both American Sign Language and the French-speaking African Sign Language (Langue des Signes d’Afrique Francophone), hindering the use of a widespread, unified sign language in the country.
In addition, deaf and hard of hearing children in Cameroon face barriers to quality education. There are very few schools tailored to their needs. One of the main challenges in their education is literacy development. To address this, our current initiatives in Cameroon are focused on training teacher trainers in methodology on teaching deaf children how to read.
Examples of Our Activities in Cameroon
Together with our partner organization in Cameroon, we focus on improving education for deaf and hard of hearing children.
Project: train-the-trainer program in literacy for deaf learners
In 2024, we worked together with CBCHS to train a group of professionals (teacher trainers) in the Reading Method for Early Literacy. This group of professionals, supported by the Kentalis International Foundation team, went on to train a first group of teachers, consisting of both English and French speaking persons.
Project Overview
- Blended learning approach: The project consisted of both online e-learning courses and on-location practical skills training. The teacher trainers and the teachers first followed online courses in our e-learning environment, followed by intensive training sessions on location in Yaoundé, Cameroon, at the facilities of our partner organization CBCHS.
- Timing: August - December 2024
- Location: The Netherlands (online) and Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Participants: 12 teacher trainers and 25 in-service teachers
Future Directions and Collaboration
Following our first training program in Cameroon, together with CBCHS, we aim for sustainable impact by integrating the Reading Method for Early Literacy into the national educational curriculum. We are committed to expand our initiatives in Cameroon by collaborating with local and international partners and funders to reach our goal: making quality education accessible for children with hearing loss.
For inquiries about our work in Cameroon or other countries, please contact us. If you are an organization interested in supporting education for deaf learners, find more information about partnering with us.