The Problem

Decades of civil war have posed many challenges for the people of the DR Congo. The country’s vast mineral wealth has fueled conflict, drawing in exploitative corporations, ruthless warlords, and corrupt governments, while deepening divisions among ethnic groups. Over the past 15 years, an estimated six million people have lost their lives due to violence, preventable diseases, and malnutrition.

Congolese children with hearing loss are particularly disadvantaged in the DRC, where there’s widespread ignorance of people with disabilities. Whatever care and education a family can provide is often focused on “normal” children, leaving deaf and hard of hearing children uneducated and unskilled. Unable to communicate using the same language as their peers and family members, many are left to fend for themselves.

The Project

The Ephphata School for the Deaf serves as a beacon of hope for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and youth in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. The school is committed to equipping its students with a well-rounded education and opportunities for economic empowerment.

Central to these efforts is Ephphata Creations, the school’s carpentry workshop, which functions as both a training centre and a business. During school hours, upper grade students learn woodworking skills, and after hours, graduates use the space to complete commissioned work, establishing themselves professionally in Lubumbashi’s growing construction and furniture markets.

This dual-purpose model has emerged as a powerful solution in a country where people with disabilities encounter significant challenges.