Deaf Outreach Program (DEAFOP) is a Kenyan NGO promoting the inclusion and rights of deaf and hearing-impaired people in education and the labour market.
In partnership with the Institute for Disability Training (IDT), DEAFOP will provide vocational training to twelve deaf young women from low-income families, enabling them to acquire employable skills and build independent livelihoods.
The project also strengthens the capacity of the training institute to provide inclusive vocational education for students with disabilities. External funding of €4,600 is required for training costs, machines, and learning materials.
Amount collected: € 4.600
Stichting Overal Nijmegen
Project information
The situation
In Kenya, an estimated 14 out of 1,000 children have moderate to severe hearing loss, yet only a small proportion have access to education adapted to their needs. Although inclusive education is supported by policy, less than 10% of deaf children receive appropriate education.
Vocational training programs rarely accommodate sign language, leaving many deaf youth without opportunities after secondary school. Through collaboration with IDT, DEAFOP addresses this gap by offering accessible vocational training in Kenyan Sign Language.
The importance of the project
The project offers 12 deaf young women from rural, low-income families the opportunity to follow a certified tailoring course in Kenyan Sign Language. Without this project, these young women would have no realistic access to vocational training.
Because participants live in remote rural areas, the project provides boarding and meals, allowing for an intensive four-month training program. The students pay no fees, which is essential given their socio-economic background.
The implementing organisation
DEAFOP is a Kenyan non-profit organization focused on inclusive education and sustainable livelihoods for deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The organization works with public schools to improve accessibility and learning outcomes by translating teaching materials into Kenyan Signe Language and making them digitally available.
Together with IDT, DEAFOP delivers accredited vocational training that equips deaf youth with market-relevant skills for employment or self-employment. Over the past five years, DEAFOP has reached an estimated 3,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the Mount Kenya region.
The envisaged project results
Twelve deaf young women will complete a four-month tailoring course and obtain a recognized NITA vocational diploma. They will also receive training in entrepreneurship and life skills to improve their chances of employment or starting a small business.
The project will contribute to a long-term strategy to bridge the gap between secondary education and vocational training for deaf youth. It can serve as a replicable model for inclusive vocational education in Kenya.
Chance of sustainability
Sustainability is ensured through partnership with an accredited TVET institution, allowing equipment and experience gained to benefit future cohorts of deaf students. Formal accreditation increases credibility with local authorities and supports broader inclusion in vocational programs.
The project is embedded in DEAFOP’s strategic plan on livelihoods, ensuring continued fundraising and long-term commitment to vocational training for deaf youth.
Project costs
The project runs for six months: four months of training and two months of post-training support for employment or entrepreneurship. Total project costs are KES 980,000.
DEAFOP contributes KES 275,520 for accommodation and meals. External funding of KES 704,480 is requested for training costs, equipment, and teaching materials.
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