Visiting ‘The Least of These’ in Uganda 2025 Part 1: A Beaten Deaf Child

March 10, 2025

‘The Least of These’

As a charity dedicated to supporting Deaf children in poverty, we often refer to the children we serve around the world as the “least of these,” a term Jesus used to describe those in need. As Christians, we are called to help those who need help, and love those who need love, even if they are far away geographically, linguistically or emotionally. 

Recently, two members of our Deaf Child Hope team traveled to Uganda, where they witnessed firsthand the struggles and victories of Deaf children enduring extreme hardship. Sometimes writing a nonprofit blog about Deaf children in poverty can be challenging. While we don’t want to overwhelm readers, we also believe in sharing the harsh reality about the difficulties that they endure because that is a powerful way to bring awareness and make change. 

This month, we are sharing the story of a little boy named Grace, in a two-part series highlighting Deaf children like him living in poverty in Uganda.

A Beaten Child

Yes, you read that correctly—two Graces. Our Field Director, Grace McCoy, met and bonded with a little boy in Uganda whose name is also Grace. Both Graces are Deaf. For the sake of clarity, we will refer to the little boy in Uganda as “Grace” and our Field Director as “Grace McCoy.”

Grace was born in Uganda and early on his parents realized he was Deaf. Tragically, they attempted to kill him because of it. In Uganda and many developing countries, there are harmful cultural beliefs around people with differences or disabilities, and it’s viewed as a curse. This leads to children being restrained, abandoned, beaten, or even killed in an attempt to avoid bringing the curse upon the family. 

Young Grace (who didn’t yet have a name at the time) miraculously survived the beating that was intended to end his life and ended up abandoned and living on the streets. He was protected during his time on the street by another abandoned child, this one hearing, and together they begged for food in order to survive. By the grace of God, an adult came along who ultimately took Grace in as his own child, and provided him the medical treatment that he desperately needed. It was at this time that he was given his name “Grace” by his new adopted father. 

A Second Chance Through Deaf Education in Uganda

When Grace’s adopted father learned of a new school for Deaf children he was thrilled. Grace had no language skills—he didn’t even know his own name or how old he was. He had no way to express his feelings or ask for help. To say that attending a school where he could learn language and make connections with others was life-changing, would be an understatement. 

When Grace McCoy met him in February, Grace had only been attending the school for a short time but had already made tremendous progress. “He is very bright and truly cares about other people. God is not done with him and has a plan for his life!” Grace McCoy shared upon returning back to the States and telling our Deaf Child Hope team about the amazing little boy who made a permanent impact on her heart. 

You Can Help Deaf Children Around the World

Grace and Grace will be able to stay in contact with one another through sponsorship, which is a special connection. Grace McCoy has decided that despite dedicating her life to helping Deaf children in poverty and bringing awareness to the plight they face, she will also sponsor Deaf children through Deaf Child Hope and is now Grace’s sponsor! The two of them will be able to correspond between her trips to Uganda.

Not everybody can get on a plane and travel to meet Deaf children like Grace in Uganda, but you can still make a powerful difference. By sponsoring a Deaf child, you can bring hope for a bright future that you have a direct role in. Are you curious how to help Deaf children around the world? Visit www.deafchildhope.org to become a Deaf child sponsor today for only $38/month. Together, we can bring hope and opportunity to Deaf children living in poverty.