Let me introduce myself—I’m Alvaro, a 27-year-old engineer from Spain, living in the UK. Intrigued by Rwanda, a country I knew little about, I embarked on a journey 3 months ago to make a positive impact by working as a volunteer at Nyabihu School for the Deaf.

Beyond the initial excitement, I started noticing the tough realities the students faced. Insufficient food, inadequate clothing, and the school's need for facility improvements were daily challenges.

After recognizing areas where the school could evolve, I began brainstorming ways to contribute, from teaching to fundraising initiatives like this crowdfunding event so let me tell you a little bit more about this beautiful place:

At Nyabihu School for the Deaf in Rwanda, Deaf students from across Rwanda come together for a new school year filled with excitement and hope. The school motto, 'Children with dreams, parents with hope,' truly reflects the significance of this place in the lives of these students who might otherwise be left without opportunities. Nyabihu School becomes more than just a school; it's a home where students feel safe and embraced. Here, among peers who share their experiences and language, they find the freedom to communicate openly, something often missing in the outside world.

Deaf individuals in Rwanda face immense struggles—barriers in communication, negative perceptions, and limited opportunities. Poverty deepens their challenges, denying access to education and jobs, stripping away their dignity, unity, and basic human rights. Their journey is marked by isolation and exclusion.

Our school is dedicated to providing early education for deaf children, aiming to empower them and change societal attitudes. Beyond education, we involve them in activities like play and dance, crucial not only for their academic growth but also for their personal development. These moments of joy are vital in shaping their future and fostering a sense of belonging within a community that often misunderstands their potential.

Our support extends beyond Nyabihu School for the Deaf through our transition and integration program. This initiative ensures a smooth shift to mainstream community schools, reducing dropout risks due to limited resources and support for deaf students.

In Rwanda, Deaf children endure a harsh reality—there's still no official state support. For those struggling in local schools, their journey often leads back home, where they shoulder chores like fetching water, cleaning, or toiling in the fields. Denied an education, their world shrinks, ensnaring them in the relentless cycle of poverty. These children live in a silence that extends beyond their inability to hear—a silence that severs their communication with parents and denies them the education essential to form coherent thoughts, leaving them observant yet devoid of understanding. There are very few schools for deaf children in Rwanda, and they all depend heavily on outside agencies for their funding.

Our objective is to expand the current school from a primary level special needs school to an ordinary level inclusive secondary school to promote inclusion and reduce the number of deaf learners who drop out as soon as they are moved on to mainstream schools.

The funding allocated to our residential school primarily covers student fees, facility enhancements, and operational expenses, notably for food, caretaker wages, and teachers' salaries. However, the increasing costs of food have limited our ability to provide varied meals, resulting in a daily provision of rice or maize flour, cabbage, and beans for both lunch and dinner. This repetitive diet poses challenges to the students' nutritional needs.

Moreover, the school's facilities are significantly underdeveloped, posing serious health risks. The kitchen facilities rely solely on wood and there is a lack of clean areas for food preparation. The absence of proper hygiene measures in food preparation areas raises concerns about sanitation.

Another critical concern is the lack of adequate bathing facilities; students make do with cold rainwater collected in a 5000L tank due to the absence of showers. Additionally, many students possess only two sets of clothes—one for daily wear and another for sleeping. These clothes are ill-suited for the wet and cold weather experienced during rainy seasons and are often worn out, riddled with holes.

Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring the well-being and comfort of our students in this environment.

Your contributions make a meaningful impact, and I kindly ask for your support in spreading this message to as many people as possible. Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for your generosity and support.

Nyabihu School for the Deaf website