By Sharon Lukunka

Anour Mohammed Anour, a 55-year-old, is one of the oldest students enrolled at the Centre for the Deaf in Zalingei, Central Darfur. The centre is the only facility of its kind providing formal education for deaf students in the area. The students are taught how to write and use sign language in an enabling learning atmosphere. They come from nearby camps for internally displaced persons as well as from Zalingei town and surrounding villages. The centre first began its activities with only seven students and over the time that number has risen to more than 60 students.

All the students in the centre are deaf ranging from primary school ages to elderly men and women. Hanan Bakhit, a 12-years-old, and Khadiga Taha Rezegalla, a 16-years-old, both from Hamediya camp for displaced persons, indicate that this is the only form of education they receive because the other schools in the camp are not able to accommodate students with a disabilities, especially the ones with a hearing loss.

Talib Eldean Adam Idries was born deaf and didn’t learn how to communicate until he enrolled at a school for deaf people in Khartoum in 1985. He explains that he was working in the Sudanese capital when he learned that there was a specialized institution for deaf people nearby. Following the completion of his studies, he returned to his home in Zalingei and established the first union and the centre for the deaf in 2006 aimed at providing a platform for the deaf community from different backgrounds to learn how to communicate. Some of the students travelled long distances to attend the lessons that at the beginning were conducted under a make-shift tent made of thatched grass.

Mr. Idries says that his centre has not benefitted from financial support from local institutions. UNAMID and other UN agencies have been providing much needed support including the construction of classrooms, toilets and a perimeter wall as well as the distribution of educational materials.

Through UNAMID’s quick impact projects, Civil Affairs funded the construction of three classrooms in 2007. Currently, one room is used as office space for the teachers while the other two are used for primary and secondary school education for the deaf students. The Mission also plans to construct additional classrooms and a workshop to enable the centre with a form of income generating activities.

“Every child deserves an education, especially children with disabilities. That is why within our limited resources, we took up this project to assist the school so that students can acquire an education to learn how to communicate, it is their right,” says Tahir Cevik, UNAMID Civil Affairs Team Leader in Central Darfur.

In addition, in 2012, UNAMID’s UN Volunteers programme painted the classrooms and the fence as well as constructed a shelter as part of its community activities. UNAMID is also mobilizing support from other relevant agencies operating in the area to assist the centre for deaf.

Mr. Idries says the parents have expressed appreciation to the school for such assistance because before they brought their children there some parents were unable to fulfil their child’s special needs, some stayed at home to take care of it while others were seen roaming the streets.

Many children with such disabilities were not accepted in formal education and even after their graduation no one would hire them so they had to return to their lands to farm. “They are sometimes marginalized and segregated within their own communities,” affirms Mr. Idries.

Mr. Idries is not discouraged by the lack of funding that the centre he created is suffering. Even if the school has some limitations, for example, there is only one text book available for all the students due to its high cost, he is satisfied that he can assist the deaf community in his hometown and would like to reach out to more in other locations.

“The centre has become a home and a school for these students where they can receive such adequate training,” says Mr. Idries, who is proud of his achievements.

On 23 September 2014, deaf students learn sign language in the Centre for the Deaf in Zalengei. Photo by Sharon Lukunka.