As an active member of Deafblind International, Sense Scotland has a history of involvement in international development in particular supporting small organisations to establish projects supporting deafblind and disabled children and adults. However, our partnership with Woodford Foundation and Woodford Foundation Scotland in Northern Malawi is our largest international project to date.
Supported by Scottish Government International Development Funding and funds from Comic Relief as well as donations from individual donors, we are working with the Central Church of Africa Presbyteria in Mzuzu to increase access to primary education for deaf children across Northern Malawi. We have a fantastic team including two highly skilled and experienced former teachers of deaf children who are working with schools, teachers, families and Primary Education Advisors. Approaching the end of year one, the project is very well received by all involved including the Ministry of Education and is having a real impact on attitudes towards deaf children in education and to the numbers of deaf children entering and returning to primary school.
Inflation has, however, had an impact on our budgets and we continue to fundraise to ensure that the project can reach as many deaf children in Northern Malawi as possible.