Malawi Mike
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- Joined
- May 4, 2015
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Hi,
I'll try to keep this succinct for my intro.
I work in Malawi where my partner runs a charity. I am out on my second trip to the country, the first being last October.
With live with an extended family group of Malawians and have a house of our own in their compound.
One of the children is profoundly deaf, does not respond to even the loudest of noises. His name is Mike, he is 5yrs old.
Mike was born as a twin, his brother has an extreme ADHD type disorder and has taken all of his mother's time and energy in upbringing, and as such Mike has never been taught even a modicum of language.
Mike is the most angelic and beautiful child you would ever meet, and he is an extraordinarily happy child whom is left to play in his own games, all day.
It is very hard to hold his attention, as it has never been demanded, and I worry that he will have a very hard life.
The Malawian education system has no provisions for deaf children, there are no welfare schemes, and he will not be able to stay at home forever.
I have never been exposed to sign language, and any deaf people I have met have read my lips.
I feel that I can help, I just have no idea how to communicate with someone who does not even know that language is a thing. I'm possibly not the best suited to help, but I'm here and willing!
Any help or advice on the situation would be so very much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Bob
I'll try to keep this succinct for my intro.
I work in Malawi where my partner runs a charity. I am out on my second trip to the country, the first being last October.
With live with an extended family group of Malawians and have a house of our own in their compound.
One of the children is profoundly deaf, does not respond to even the loudest of noises. His name is Mike, he is 5yrs old.
Mike was born as a twin, his brother has an extreme ADHD type disorder and has taken all of his mother's time and energy in upbringing, and as such Mike has never been taught even a modicum of language.
Mike is the most angelic and beautiful child you would ever meet, and he is an extraordinarily happy child whom is left to play in his own games, all day.
It is very hard to hold his attention, as it has never been demanded, and I worry that he will have a very hard life.
The Malawian education system has no provisions for deaf children, there are no welfare schemes, and he will not be able to stay at home forever.
I have never been exposed to sign language, and any deaf people I have met have read my lips.
I feel that I can help, I just have no idea how to communicate with someone who does not even know that language is a thing. I'm possibly not the best suited to help, but I'm here and willing!
Any help or advice on the situation would be so very much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Bob