Through Time in Kenya

Supporting Deaf Children Living in Poverty: Our Impact in Kenya

At Deaf Child Hope (DCH), our mission is clear: to support deaf children living in poverty by providing access to deaf education, sign language, and community support. With 25 million deaf children worldwide facing challenges like language deprivation, hunger, and isolation, our work is more critical than ever.

Lances Deaf Orphans (LDO): A Unique Partnership

Over a decade ago, we began our first partnership in Kenya with Lances Deaf Orphans (LDO). What makes LDO unique is that Deaf Child Hope is solely responsible for the daily operations of this orphanage for deaf children, including funding for:

• Food and Nutrition
• Clothing
• Staff Salaries
• Campus Improvements

Since our partnership began, we have seen incredible progress. From securing basic needs—such as food, water, shelter, and clothing—to providing deaf education and sign language instruction, LDO has become a place where deaf children living in poverty can thrive.

The transformation is evident. Below, you’ll find photos showing LDO’s journey—from 2015 to recent images featuring children proudly wearing new sports clothing. These images represent more than progress; they symbolize hope, community, and the potential that emerges when foundational needs are met.

Building Partnerships for Impact

We currently have three partner locations in Kenya, each vital in our mission to support deaf children in impoverished communities. While LDO remains a unique partnership, our other two partnerships in Kenya follow a more typical model. Schools, orphanages, and Christian missions—often a combination—reach out seeking:

• Financial Support
• Spiritual Encouragement
• Expertise in Deaf Education
• Community Building Opportunities

These partnerships often begin when organizations are in survival mode, struggling to meet the essential needs of deaf children, many of whom have endured years without access to sign language or education. Food and security are often scarce, and these children remain isolated due to language deprivation.

Meeting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

If you’re familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, you know that no progress can happen without meeting foundational needs. For deaf children living in poverty, this means:

1. Physiological Needs: Food, water, shelter, clothing, and sleep.
2. Safety and Security: Protection from abuse, stable living conditions.
3. Love and Belonging: A community that speaks their language—sign language.
4. Esteem: Self-respect and confidence, built through deaf education and supportive relationships.
5. Self-Actualization: The opportunity to know their life has purpose and meaning.

Our goal at Deaf Child Hope is to walk with our partners through each of these levels. No deaf child should worry about hunger, isolation, or abuse. Every child deserves the chance to thrive and reach their God-given potential.

Our Newest Partner in Kenya: From Surviving to Thriving

Six months ago, we added our third partner in Kenya, and the need was urgent. When they reached out, they were candid about their most pressing challenge: feeding the children. Sadly, this is a common scenario with new partners.

But there’s hope. Just as we did with LDO, our mission is to guide this partner from surviving to thriving by addressing immediate needs like food and security while building toward deaf education, language acquisition, and spiritual growth.

The photos below illustrate the powerful transformation that takes place when we come together to support deaf children living in poverty—children who once faced hunger and abandonment are now part of a loving community, learning, growing, and dreaming.

Join Us in Changing Lives

Sponsor a Deaf Child: Just $38/month provides access to deaf education, sign language, and basic needs like food and shelter.
Donate: Your contribution supports critical programs ensuring deaf children thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Spread Awareness: Share our mission so more deaf children in poverty can find safety, community, and education.

Together, We Make Hope Possible

With your continued support, we believe a future is possible where all 25 million deaf children living in poverty can reach self-actualization—knowing they are loved, valued, and capable of changing the world.

God bless you for being part of this mission.