The First School For the Deaf in Rwanda

Institut Filippo Smaldone Pour Sourds-Muets which is located

right outside of Kigali in Nyamirambo.  This school was 

started before the Genecide even…but has developed into

 quite a place. 

All the kids were in class so that's where we went.

We entered the room and the kids were all so cute.   We were on a visit with the Charity Team and since the name of the school was in French…  I was just beginning to realize that this must be a special  class.  I watched the sister (nun) and said
"Wait…is this a class for children that can't hear?"
YES.. she said..  

 So since i had learned a little sign when i went to camp as a child
in Tennessee… I taught the child's Jesus loves Me.  They were so excited!

The Bible tells me so!  Many of them were even singing along!

Some of their sign language on the wall.

 So, we go to the next class and I noticed that these children responded like the last class..  So I asked…
"How many special classes do you have here
for the deaf ?"  The sister and all of the AIC folks in the room
started laughing…..loudly…
and then they told me that the WHOLE School was for
deaf children!!!!!   Wow…  HOW did I miss that?
Oh right.. it's because it was in French!

This was a new class this year and the teacher was just learning  how the kids  learned so that she would know how to teach
and work with them.

Outside of the classroom… while some kids were playing I had the joy of "talking" with some of the kids and learning their names.  They were thrilled that a visitor could "speak" their language.  ( what little I know)

Their beautiful kitchen where they prepare meals for 400 each day.

And the dining hall.

Large, clean, even table cloths….  A first in schools we've seen.

We talked for a while in the office about things the school and the kids need. They need someone to come and teach them how to use hearing devices that were given to the school.  If you know anyone that could help them, let us know! 

This is the dormitory for the female students who board.  They must build a new upstairs to provide more room
between the beds….  I think that's a good idea.
These are close quarters.

At the end of our tour of the school…. these sweet sisters had coffee and cookies for us.  French was the predominate language of the day….other than sign language-- but it didn't matter.

The language of love works no matter
what is being spoken!

love,
margie