Embangweni School for the Hard of Hearing
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Located in the northern region of Malawi, the Embangweni School for the Hard of Hearing is one of three such schools serving the needs of the hearing impaired in Malawi. In 2001, it was serving over 90 students with 9 teachers. While only started in 1994, the school is rapidly growing and is setting standards for other schools for the hearing impaired in Malawi. While it is officially a government supported school, it would not exist without the tremenous aid and support of Marion Medical Mission, other NGO's and many generous individual benefactors. The school is trying to prepare it's students to become self-supporting members of society, by using "total communication" concepts for education as well as teaching trades that the students can use later. |
The first school for the hearing impaired in Malawi was begun in 1968 in Blantyre. Unfortunately, because of the long distances and difficulties of transportation, many children were not being served. A second school was opened in 1984, which was to serve children in the central and northern parts of the country; it helped but did not solve the problems of transport. At the urging of Mr. M.B. Hara, an educator and former school headmaster, the Synod of Livingstonia approved the idea of a third school for the hard of hearing at Embangweni, where a mission station had been in existence since 1902. On October 10, 1994, the Embangweni School for the Hard of Hearing began in borrowed buildings. There were 19 children and 3 teachers: Mr. E.G. Mtonga, Headmaster; Mr. C.C. Chirambo and Mr. B. Mwamatope. . |
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Initial funding for permanent buildings was provided by Marion Medical Mission, which has continued to support the school with teachers’ houses and supplies. A hostel was built in 1995 and classes began to be held there, using part of the building for classes and part for the children’s housing. The first classroom block was begun in January 1996 and the school was officially dedicated on September 26, 1996 with 37 students enrolled and a staff of 4 teachers. A primary classroom block was funded in 1997 and built in 1999. It is used for Standards 1,2 and 3; rooms not being used for classes are utilized for vocational arts classes. Work on a Chapel funded by Mrs. Nancy McGill began in 2000. It stands at the center of the school campus – an appropriate placement since the Christian faith is central to the program of the school. |
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The educational focus of the Embangweni School for the Hard of Hearing differs from the other schools for the deaf in Malawi. While the other schools stress oral communication, the staff at Embangweni decided to use a Total Communication approach. The children are encouraged and helped to develop oral language for ease in communicating in the world at large, but they also are taught sign language, speech reading and gestures. Education for each child uses any and all tools available to help him or her learn. The staff have been aided in their efforts by visits from speech therapists and special education teachers coming from the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Ireland. In addition to their work with the children, the staff members at Embangweni are engaged in developing a standardized sign system for Malawi, which they hope to publish and spread to other areas of the country. |
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Students at Embangweni learn not only language and oral communication, but are taught the standard academic curriculum. Students from Standard 1 on learn English, both oral and signed. They study math and religion and learn to read, write and understand the world they live in. |
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Because the ability to earn a living is so important after school leaving, the older students are offered vocational skills training: woodworking, tin smithing, sewing, knitting, weaving, etc. A very special extra-curricular activity at Embangweni is the hand bell choir. This is the first time such a program had been attempted and it is a great success, with the choir performing off-campus for celebrations and worship services. |
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| <PICTURE OF MR MTONGA> |
The vision for the Embangweni School for the Hard of Hearing is expressed by Headmaster Edward Mtonga: “The institution expects to have a high school where children will go for their education. (It expects to) intensify technical work for self-employment, as lack of employment is a worldwide outcry. With the help of God, Embangweni will be a model school for the NATION.” |
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Each school day begins with worship as the children, teachers and auxiliary staff meet together for hymns, prayers and a short meditation. Every meeting begins and ends with prayer. Truly, Christ is the Foundation of the Embangweni School for the Hard of Hearing. |
| Due to the increase in number of students, they are in the process of building a second hostel (dormitory) for the students. Construction is expected to be complete by the middle of 2001. It will hold 64 to 80 students. |
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Starting in 1997, they have begun learning to use sign language with the students. There is no Malawian sign language and it is felt inappropriate to simply adopt an American version. The teachers are currently working on developing and documenting a Malawian sign language. |
| In 1999, the school was presented with a set of handbells. The students have learned to play the handbells by following color coded music. They are also learning to sing some simple songs. They amaze everyone that hears them. |
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