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Stichting NHSD: newsletter 2, December 2016
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Dear reader,


Here in the Netherlands we have already been iceskating; at our deaf school in Uganda the summer break has just started. What a difference! Through this newsletter, we want to inform donors and interested parties about the most recent developments at the New Hope School.
Pamela and Ssendijja

A new student

Lately we have welcomed a new pupil at the school. The boy has been found on the street by a local district officer for persons with disabilities. She brought him to the school after it was established that the boy is deaf and was left by his family. His name, age, and where he comes from is unknown. Luckily the school is able to accommodate him well. That he was brought to us also means that we are increasingly known and trusted in the region. The teachers named the boy Junior. Junior is around nine years old. During school breaks one of the teachers will take care of him.

Deaf people are still strongly discriminated in Uganda, which results in many deaf children being excluded, hidden or abused. This is probably also why Junior was found roaming the streets. The New Hope School tries to counter stigmatization of deaf people by getting the community involved with the school. In January, for example, the school organises a sign language course for the pupil's families as well as interested community members. In this way we work towards local change.

Classrooms seen from the kitchen

Cultivating land

Next to the plot of land we are already hiring, we have acquired another small plot in loan from one of the community members. On these plots we grow sweet potatoe, beans and cassava for own consumption. In addition, we have started a small vegetable patch on the school terrain! Here we grow several vegetables: cabbage, carrot and green pepper. The vegetables will contribute to healthy and varied meals for the children. Every Saturday the children help in the garden, so they can learn how to grow these vegetable at home and in the future. In Uganda, eating vegetables is not very common, and there is only little knowledge about healthy food.

Unfortunately we had a bad harvest last season, due to heavy rains followed by severe drought. The increasingly unpredictable weather in this part of the world, owing to global climate change, results in rising food prices. In the past few months, we had to pay about one third more for food products for the children. Our own harvest is not sufficient to feed the children throughout the year.

Christmas market in Singen

During summer, Ine has sold Ugandan crafts (jewelry, bags and baskets) on several markets, like the Hippie Market in Amersfoort. We have made quite some money for the school! The month of December, until 23-12, Ine will man a stand at the Christmas market in Singen, Germany. All profit will go directly to the school. If you need some last-minute Christmas presents, this is your chance!

Watch here a short video about the New Hope School for the Deaf

Concluding notes

Ine will be in Uganda from February to May. She will occupy herself fulltime with the school management, in cooperation with the Ugandan teachers. Her, and our, dedication to the school is on a completely voluntary basis. Through our close connection with the school, we can ensure our donors of the fact that all profits will directly benefit the school and its pupils. Your support is always highly appreciated!

New Hope School for the Deaf does not receive government support and is mainly dependent on donations. We could use your help! Every donation will benefit the school and its pupils. You can transfer money to NL74 RABO 0301 2992 50 attn Stichting New Hope School for the Deaf.

Pedagogical refresher course

Not only the children and their families are being educated. During the school break in December, the teachers will receive a pedagogical refresher course. This is a one week course which will be taught by two experts, who are sign language teachers themselves. The course does not only cover sign language, but also how the teachers can adjust their classes to deaf pupils. By taking regular refresher courses, the teacher's professional level is kept up, and it will therefor help them to transmit their knowledge to the children.

Parents are doing their best during a refresher course in sign language

Awareness program families

Only offering education is not sufficient to give a child a good base for the rest of its life. A stable home situation is at least as important. For this reason, the teacher visit the children's families as a part of an awareness program. They speak with the families about the home situation: about poverty; the position of the deaf child in relation to its hearing siblings; and the importance of education. The personal relationship between the teachers, the pupils, and their families, makes that families feel involved in the development of their child at the school. In addition, solutions can be found together for problems that occur, like when parents are not able to bring their child back to school after the semester break because they do not have the money to pay for transport. This is how the school constructs a safe and caring living environment for deaf children.

Say cheese!

The carpentry

Not only the crafts, also the carpentry products are making good sales in Uganda. This adds to the school's income, which is much needed due to the local prise rises. In addition, the older pupils learn much from the carpentry training: not only the craft itself, but they also get insights in product sales and the purchase of woods. By teaching the pupils a profession they will in the future be able to independently make a living in the Ugandan society.

Teacher John is entertaining pupils

ANBI-status

For some time, we have been trying to receive an ANBI-status for our foundation. This would mean that our donors can deduct tax from (part of) their donations to our foundation. To finish the process, we need some documents from Uganda, which we can expect to receive earliest in January. We are working hard to arrange that we can call ourselves an ANBI with retrospective effect from 01-01-2017. Please keep updated via our website and facebook page.

To our reader: thank you for reading this newsletter! Remarks and ideas concerning the school, the foundation or this newsletter are always very welcome. Please do not hesitate to send us a message via info@stichtingnhsd.org! You can also follow us on facebook and our website to stay informed on the activities of our foundation.

Copyright © 2016 Stichting New Hope School for the Deaf, All rights reserved.

You can make a donation to NL74 RABO 0301 2992 attn Stichting New Hope School for the Deaf.

If you have questions, tips or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us! Our email address is:
info@stichtingnhsd.org

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