INTRODUCTION 

The reporting period has enabled the team to focus interventions directly on the emerging needs of the target groups as identified through the consultative sessions and field engagements with DYP and duty bearers. Key interventions therefore, included skills training and business development activities for DYP and parents, facilitating peer group meeting points, savings schemes and income generation activities, communication training, joint reviews and advocacy engagements with duty bearers.

The operational environment was affected by key national and international concerns, including breakdown of the road network to the field, high inflation, outbreak of diseases such as Ebola and MPox, which is still endemic and a new influx of refugees from Sudan and the Congo due to wars. Nevertheless, the team has been able to progress with targeted activities with support and goodwill from partners as shared here in the report.

PROJECT LOCATION

Map credit: West Nile Web https://www.westnileweb.com/ 

In order to increase coordination, identification and mobilisation of deaf young people, the project team worked with 10 Peer educators/leaders in each of five main project locations (Moyo, Yumbe, Nebbi, Koboko and Arua). These peer leaders have also been instrumental in DYP meeting points, savings schemes, edutainment activities, engagement with families and other stakeholders on issues of DYP, including SL communication and access to services.

The team also worked with schools to reach children and young people at the community level. This included conducting enrolment drives at the community level in different areas, including Ayipe and Goya in Koboko, Pakele in Moyo, Apo Army and Geya in Yumbe, Owilo in Nebbi and Panyimur in Pakwachi districts to reach out to families who were keeping children at home. The awareness activities involved teachers, parents, children and community leaders. It also helped to empower parents and teachers with more tips on how to support children with coping challenges at the school and community level. The awareness and enrolment drives were also punctuated with edutainment and sports activities such as basic sign language sessions, drawing, sports, music dance and drama which attracted over 1321 (M586 and F735) children at the school and community level.

In terms of approach, the team emphasised inclusive child-to-child activities aimed at increasing the participation of children with hearing impairment. It also offered an opportunity for direct interface between children and community members on issues of children with hearing impairment. With the help of focal teachers, schools were able to utilise these child-to-child activities (such as dancing, athletics, drawing and basic sign language competitions) to showcase the abilities of the hearing-impaired children, which motivated children and families.

There was a lot of excitement as parents cheered up their children, with top performers provided with presents including writing sets (books, pens), special snacks and balls.  By the end of the performances, children were able to raise their concerns on the challenges they were going through, such as staying hungry at school, lack of study materials and low support from male parents. Such feedback was derived from participants: 

“Such activities should always be brought to our school community every term; we are now seeing so many hidden talents here…” –Head teacher Ayipe Primary School, summing up the thirst for child-to-child impressions.

Hearing assessment and deaf outreach

The team was also conducting two rounds of hearing assessment in response to the call by parents and focal teachers who were reporting challenges of children unable to focus on their education due to ear problems. Some families were also still unable to understand the nature of hearing problems affecting their children. The two rounds of hearing assessment in Yumbe and Nebbi districts were spiced up with deaf awareness, ear screening and treatment of infections led by ENT professionals. The team was able to directly support  57 children (23 boys, 34 girls) battling with a range of ear problems, including compacted wax, seedlings, otitis media and other infections. Participants with ear infections (children and parents) received treatment, and parents and teachers were guided on how clean ears and manage children with hearing impairment. 

Follow up on issues of children with hearing impairment at the community level

With the help of focal teachers, the team followed up with children with coping challenges at the home and community levels. This was in response to reports of dropouts and suspected exposure to domestic violence or abuse. From the follow-up interventions conducted in different catchment areas of Owilo Panyimur, Goya and Ayipe primary schools, over 23 children were encouraged to return to school following a series of visits and engagement with families.

At the school level, efforts were made to provide additional awareness tips to both teachers and children on deafness and child rights and how to support those with hearing impairment. The school-based awareness sessions were inclusive in nature and targeted all children (both hearing and deaf) and this helped to reduce on isolation of HICs and increase the support system around them. The team noted some significant outcomes as children with hearing impairment performed well in exams, attributing this good support at home and school. For instance, it was a rare positive parity at Ayipe primary school, where out of the 8 learners who scored good grades, 2 learners had hearing impairment. While the teachers were praised for providing good management of the learners in the mainstream class, appropriate learning materials, parents recognised the role of support groups and savings projects that increased their ability to support HICs.

Skills development, business and livelihood projects of DYP

As part of the effort to improve the wellbeing and livelihood of the deaf young people, the team worked with peer leaders to follow up with DYP and equip them with skills regarding the trades they selected.  While some of them embraced new business such as selling of second clothes in Arua, food and snacks in Moyo, Yumbe and Nebbi and Petty trade in Koboko, the rest sought support to continue with trades they had previously tested. These included hair salon, tailoring and weaving, compound maintenance, car wash and other casual work around town. 

Tailored trainings were offered on a range of skills, including business development, financial literacy and leadership skills, conducted with the help of community development officers with varied elements of focus for each group reaching 220 DYP (M141, F79). Unique enterprises were offered start-up capital including a group of 15 in Nebbi who continued with joint projects including a grinding machine for cereals and charcoal selling.    A group of 23 DYP in Arua ventured in petty trade around town including of selling of second hand clothes .Girls in Moyo continued with baking and selling of snacks while the boys concentrated on compound designing.  A team of 3 boys in Yumbe offered to Jobs to Wash Buses for two companies and the project has supported them with working gear (boots & overcoats) for better protection on the job.  

Left: Deaf youth embarking Washing of buses in Yumbe; Right: Financial literacy tips with DYP & sharing proceeds from Group Savings 

Facilitating group savings schemes for DYP 

While DYP were a liberty to continue with individual projects, 3 active Savings and Credit Schemes (SACCOs) were built in centralised in Nebbi, Arua and Moyo. The peer leaders of these groups were provided with additional refresher training in leadership, saving guidelines, management of loans and interest led by community development officers who are also reference points in case of conflicts.

The saving schemes were regularly follow up and by end of year saving cycles, groups shared out their proceeds. Notable success was registered for each group with the group in Arua able to raise up to 1000 GBP, attracting an additional bonus of about 200 GBP which was shared out to members according each members savings. Other groups such as Nebbi and Moyo DYP groups were also able to share out over 500 GBP in savings each group. Outstanding individual savers were also recognised e.g. Cekeni Agnes a female DYP in Moyo who managed to save over 120 GBP alone. She attributed the success on the support provided for a baking oven from the project that has improved the quality of her snacks and clientele. Others are also progressing well with average savings ranging between 50 GBP and 75 GBP/=.

Responding to SRH and other gender issues 

Key SRH and gender issues addressed during the reporting period included refresher sessions on HIV/AIDS, gender based violence, family planning and menstrual hygiene. As many of the DYP targeted were in adolescent stages, the team continued to get requests to respond to complaints of sexual abuse, early pregnancy and conflicts among DYP and their families.  Besides following up DYP with peer leaders and parents, training sessions were conducted every quarter to offer more SRH and coping skills with the help of health workers directly reaching 80 DYP (M45, F35).

In a separate way the team responded to special gender issues of girls who reported with major constraints such as lack of sanitary materials, skipping school and psychological torture when they are in their periods.  In one of the schools in the project area, called Apo, girls with hearing impairment were reportedly missing classes when they are in their menstruation cycles, fearing embarrassment, more so from boys who make fun of them. They only get occasional support with packets of disposable pads per term, obtained with the help of UNHCR, which is not sufficient. As a matter of emergency, in liaison with the focal teacher, the project team mobilised for training on reusable sanitary pads for the girls to try and reduce the storage. The school-based training programme included 32 girls who were given skills in making reusable sanitary pads and, in turn, committed to supporting their peers. The sessions were also spiced up with other gender and SRH rights tips, including assertiveness, how to protect themselves from abuse and appreciating their sexuality.  

Gender focussed training and learning to make disposable sanitary pads for girls at Apo primary school -Yumbe

Exposure visits and exchange learning opportunities 

Exchange learning opportunities were organised between representatives of different DYP groups which enabled them to share experiences and knowledge on different areas. They had special interest on best practices in running savings schemes, individual business projects and reaching out to the market. The 52 DYP (M29, F23) who participated in the exposure and review sessions committed to continue sharing experiences with the peers in different in different locations (Arua, Nebbi, Koboko and Moyo) as they faced similar constraints such as sustaining profitable businesses, market penetration, irregular savings, default on loans and managing conflicts –The also got inspiration from Deaf role models including Twalib –now a local counsellor in Arua and Doreen- a project field assistant. They also got tips on how to engage local leaders to support their group projects, as explored in Arua and Moyo by working closely with community development officers.

OUTCOME 2: WORKING WITH FAMILIES -INCREASED PARENTAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT AND ASPIRATIONS FOR DEAF PEOPLE

Family awareness and communication training

As caregivers and voices HICs, the team worked with parents’ leaders and focal teachers to reach out to different families and support them on issues of care and protection of children with hearing impairment. The process of identification and training of families has taken on different forms, including community-based awareness sessions, working with focal teachers to follow up on families of deaf children and tailored training sessions for parents representatives mobilised through their support groups. Drawing of feedback received from PSG leaders and focal teachers, parents are gradually playing an active role in supporting their children as a result of deaf awareness sessions and regular interface with focal teachers and amongst their own peers. Nevertheless, there were several parents who required psychosocial support and other tailored training sessions to be able to support their children. This helped to reach and support over 210 parents (M81, F129) with care issues in different locations, including Owilo Nebbi, Geya and Ayipe in Koboko, Etele in Moyo and Panyimur in Pakwachi and Goya and Apo in Yumbe).  The project has also nurtured a new parents group called Baba and Mama under formation in the catchment area of Apo-Army primary school.

Self-help and economic empowerment of families  

Left: Parents learning how to make Bar Soap; Right: the final Soap products produced 

In order to increase their resilience and capacity to support their own children, the team has continued to encourage families to undertake joint activities under their peer support groups. The groups have continued explore projects that tailored to their own needs in different locations. While some groups such as Geya in Yumbe and Aroi in Arua have embraced less traditional ventures like Soap making and  bakery , most of the rest have continued with traditional tested activities – Nebbi and Pakwachi districts  continue to be more involved in crop farming, Moyo in animal husbandry while those in Koboko treasure  joint savings but with individual businesses. All the groups have maintained stable membership of around 30 participants, with a special exception Geya group in Yumbe refugee areas which has risen to 60 active members – This is attributed to the financial training sessions and making linkages with other field partners such as Humanity and Inclusion, World Vision and the District local government that have promised some opportunities for community groups including affordable loans. Other groups have also undergone a series of training including group dynamics  to care for new members , financial literacy and exploring different investment opportunities  increase their capacity to support for the deaf children and also be able to tap emerging projects such as the parish development model and disability grants.

One successful and unifying venture among all groups is the savings scheme which enables members to meet regularly on their own, raise their income and build capacity to support their children in spite of the high poverty levels in the community. Outstanding groups such as Ayipe group in Koboko was able to share out over 1200 GBP in their last savings cycle and proud to be able meet their urgent needs but also keep their children in school with limited stress.

Review meetings and exchange learning opportunities

To enable more learning and experience sharing among families, the field team supported quarterly review meetings among peer support groups which were later spiced up a round of exchange /exposure visits. During these review and exchange learning meetings, parents shared on a range of issues including progress of their savings groups, mobilisation of families with care issues and how advocate for more resources and support from local government and other partners. Some of the groups such as Panyimur PSG in Pakwachi and Owilo in Nebbi district attracted over 40 parents ( F25, M15) in their joint reviews,  have continued sharing notes on savings groups (VSLA) encouraging members reserve funds for learning materials.

Left: Communication training for parents at Goya; Right: Awareness session prior to hearing assessment & treatment 

OUTCOME 3: WORKING WITH DUTY BEERS-INCREASED COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE AND INCLUSION OF DEAF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Coordination and advocacy meetings with partners 

In an effort to promote inclusion and appreciation of the needs of deaf children and young people, the team continued to utilize local government planning meetings and partnership opportunities to link parents and deaf young people to the different services providers. Utilising the different sector meetings (health, education and community services), the project team and representatives of DYP were able to raise their concerns of accessibility and gaps in information provided to them. In response, the different duty bearers and service providers committed to cater for DYP but also sought more deaf awareness and communication training opportunities wherever possible.

The team held targeted joint meetings at service delivery points in different areas such as Hospitals, Police, education, community services and Disability partners capturing 144 participants (M88, F56).  Besides deaf awareness, these meetings provided an opportunity to monitor service gaps for PWDs, including deaf and engagement on how to cater for DYP in such structures as Parish Development Model (PDM), access at government offices without interpreters and other special facilities. In some facilities such as Arua and Nebbi Hospital and Local Government Offices linkages were made for sign language interpreters and volunteers which has led to increased access to services by DYP.

Tailored Deaf awareness and Communication training for duty bearers

Left: Duty bearers undergoing SL training in Nebbi; Right: DYP engagement on their issues with Duty bearers 

While deaf awareness and communication training remain a continuous engagement, there was particular focus on targeted SL training for selected representatives of duty bearers from including health workers journalists, teachers, police, and social workers. These training were conducted for over 3 months, taking place thrice a week attracting 73 participants in central locations of Arua and Nebbi .The training in Nebbi was spiced up with a colourful graduation party attended by 42 (M25, F17) participants including notable leaders such as District police commander (DPC), District Community Development Officer, Secretary for Social Services and the Chairperson Disability Council. 

By reducing the communication gap, the number of deaf young people accessing services such as reporting cases at Police and health services has increased. At least 40 DYP reported to have reached out to Arua Hospital during the last quarter due presence of friendly service providers.  The enabling environment at Arua Hospital has also been boosted by presence of project trained volunteers that offer guidance and confidence for DYP in express themselves at the various service points.  From the interaction health workers at Nebbi and Arua Hospitals , many of the youth reach out for guidance on issues of family planning , HCT (HIV/AIDS counselling and treatment) with a few on for the ART clinic  (for ARVs) and others for regular outpatient services.

Working with disability partners at community and National level 

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Left: Disability partners after a legal awareness and support clinic organised with Buganda Disability Council; Right: The MP for Disability (Deaf) sharing during a public lecture on popularising SL communication 

In addition to joint community outreach and monitoring activities with field partners, the team has continued to utilise major national and international events to market the concerns of DYP. In all such events including the International Deaf Awareness week, Disability Day and National Sector engagements, the team makes effort to support DYP to actively raise their own issues.  The National Deaf Awareness week was mainly premised at popularising Sign Language including a public debate sign language training sessions, sports and advocacy events. The project team facilitated a group of 19 DYP from Arua who participated in the National Deaf challenge Cup where they emerged winners a colourful trophy. 

The victorious DYP team from Arua after following a National Deaf challenge Cup  

The DYP also actively participated in the commemoration of the international Day of Persons with Disabilities under the theme “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future” with the project enabling interpretation support awareness on rights of PWDs. 

Other activities included ongoing engagements on the poor education performance of DYP, gaps in disability assistance towards deaf people and skewed census Data which showed a reduction drastic (unexplained) fall in number of deaf people in the country.

QUATITATIVE DATA 

Table of Beneficiaries Reached by category   

Target Group	Male	Female	Total	Remarks
Deaf Children and Young People	991	964	1955	Including child to child activities at school and community level , edutainment , meeting points and life skills training  and economic empowerment of DYP
Family Members	539	550	1089	Catering for training in care issues , psychosocial support ,  family follow-ups , PSG meetings and savings & income generation projects
Teachers	28	16	44	Focusing on rights protection and followup support to HICs and their parents at school & community level
Community Leaders	399	346	745	Includes joint consultative sessions , deaf awareness , communication training and advocacy sessions  with service providers & other duty bearers
Total	1957	1876	3833

Note: Includes multiple respondents reached followed up in subsequent periods 

Achievements 

1. Working with DYPs

• Increased recognition and voice of DYP in local disability meetings and programmes
• Inculcating a culture of savings among DYP through VSLA which has also encouraged hard work towards independency 
• Increased meeting points and problem solving among DYP , including catering for those with limited SL skills 
• Improved self-esteem and confidence among DYP
• Reaching out to children in schools through child to child activities and community outreaches 
• Over 15 Business and savings projects initiated by DYP  
• Increased access to services such as over 40 DYP making  regular visits at Arua hospital due to the friendly services 
• Increased follow-up on cases of DYP by police and community development officers.

2. Working with families

• Improved parents’ involvement and cooperation 
• Follow-up on DYP and families with psychosocial constraints  
• Active parent support groups , joint meetings , income projects ,  home visits and  advocacy  for the rights of HICs
• Improved ability of Families to provide for the basic needs of their children 
• Improved economic empowerment of families including savings, IGAs and financial literacy 

3. Working with duty bearers

• Improved space for participation of DYP -in Nebbi one of the DYP is a member of district disability council
• Improved service delivery for the deaf through sign language training for duty bearers especially the health workers, Police, justice and Law 
• Improved goodwill with partners including  the free operational spaces in Nebbi and Arua Hospital   
• Responding  SGV and rights protection for DYP and their families 
• Maintaining engagements and information sharing on Deafness /disability at national level  
• Maintaining field and national presence amidst economic challenges 

Challenges 

• Limited field operations due to resource constraints.
• Limited Presence  in schools affecting services for deaf children 
• High Poverty at family level affecting project response 
• Coping with  issues around SRH/HIV AIDS and GBV among the youths
• Still limited capacity to support the hard to reach DYP and families 
• Meeting the high demand for SL and material support  
• Incidents of mental health problems  among families requiring more technical skills and follow-up 
• Persistent inflationary effects amidst resource constraints 
• Travel challenges e.g. roads affected by weather and closed bridges affecting cost and flow of activities
• Competition with other emerging issues (Environment , conflict and epidemics )

Lessons and Next steps 

Build an organisational  training , learning centre of excellence 

Increased power of savings groups (VSLA) in bonding DYP and families 

Community outreach and dialogue helps to put more latent issues including , mental health and HIV/AIDS at the forefront 

A need for regular interaction with children in schools to increase project visibility and relevancy 

To conduct more community outreach activities in conjunction  with community leaders

Continue investing developing  special SL communication packages 

Scale up income generating schemes  for DYP and families 

Follow-up on rights  issues including GBV , SRH and child protection

Engaging children with impairments to participate in activities with their counter parts promotes inclusion and acceptance 

Provision of adequate sign language materials to schools.

Participation in coordination meetings and awareness events promotes visibility of the organization and establishes good partnerships.