By: Sainabou Sambou
The Rotary Club of Kotu has donated essential stationery items to St. Joseph School for the Deaf in Kanifing, reinforcing its dedication to education and community service. The gesture supports the school’s mission to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
At the donation ceremony, Yakubu Lamin Marenah, President of the Rotary Club of Kotu, emphasized the organization’s global commitment to humanitarian service.
“Rotary, with over 1.4 million members worldwide, lives by the motto ‘Service Above Self.’ This donation reflects that spirit,” Marenah said.
He underscored education’s role in national development and praised the school’s efforts. “These supplies, though modest, are vital tools for teachers and students. We’re proud to support your mission,” he added, encouraging students to recognize their potential.
Joseph J. Mendy, Principal of St. Joseph School for the Deaf, expressed gratitude for the timely donation. “This relieves a major burden,” he said. Established in 1984, the school is The Gambia’s only senior secondary institution for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, serving 131 male and female students, some commuting from as far as Barra and Brikama.
Mendy highlighted the school’s challenges, starting with inadequate sanitation. “The boys’ toilets are too small for our male students. We urgently need better facilities,” he said. Electricity remains a concern, with solar power limited to the admin block, lower primary classes, and the computer lab. “Ten more solar panels could power the entire school,” Mendy noted.
Other issues include a lack of a staff room, forcing teachers to repurpose a classroom, and halting construction due to funding shortages. Due to insufficient seating, students face unhygienic conditions and eat on the floor during breaks. Mendy proposed building slabs along verandas to address this.
Transportation is another hurdle. Previously operating three routes, including Brikama, the school now relies on two functional vehicles, leaving some students stranded. Classrooms, unchanged since 1984, have worn plastic tiles. “Tiling eight classrooms—about 400 square meters—would create a better learning environment,” Mendy said.
Teacher training is critical. While qualified, most lack sign language skills. Mendy suggested sending two teachers abroad for specialized training to enhance communication. He also called for a tailored curriculum, noting that the national curriculum doesn’t fully accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students’ needs. “We’re not asking for less; we’re asking for fairness,” he stressed.
Mendy urged collective action. Supporting these children is investing in our nation’s progress. Without help, we’re all handicapped,” he said. The Rotary Club and school authorities expressed optimism about a long-term partnership to foster inclusivity.
The donation marks a step toward addressing the school’s needs, but Mendy’s appeal underscores the broader challenges facing education for people who are hard of hearing in The Gambia. As St. Joseph School for the Deaf continues its vital work, partnerships like this offer hope for a more equitable future.
