Sowers of the mustard seeds
Kalidali
The Mustard Seed Project
Sowers of the mustard seed-
Matthew 13:31&32
(Kalidali) project
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Provide families with access to initial hearing and academic assessment
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Supply referrals and recommendations to families in order to acquire hearing aids and maintain equipment
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Allow students opportunities to make use of residual hearing through hearing aid technology in order to develop spoken language and communication skills
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Provide opportunities for deaf children to interact with deaf peers in an environment that develops pragmatic, language, and academic skills
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Foster development of initial communication strategies for deaf toddlers using spoken language and sign language support.
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To encourage consistent use of hearing aid technology in order to gain access to educational curriculum.
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To promote education for deaf and hard of hearing students from ages 3 to 6 years in the following areas: English, Literacy, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Science and Religious Studies.
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To provide access to speech and language therapy in order to encourage development of spoken language abilities.
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To facilitate student interaction with peers in order to develop appropriate communication and social pragmatic strategies.
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To engage students in whole language development through use of spoken language with sign supported English.
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To demonstrate and develop advocacy skills for deaf and hard of hearing students.
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To enable older students to manage and care for hearing aid equipment properly
Kalidali)project is a proposed three-year pilot program aimed at pioneering an early intervention and preschool center for deaf and hard of hearing Children in Uganda between the ages of 2 and 6 years. The program seeks to lay a strong language and communication foundation that will free every deaf child to reach his/her full potential socially, economically and physically. Through language and communication they will be able to build firm academic competences and strong sense of self-worth to bridge the learning gaps between them and their hearing peers. The program is designed to help expose these deaf toddlers and pre-schoolers to an age appropriate therapeutic and educational environment that will unlock their learning potential through acquiring strong listening skill during play groups and family activities. The program will also seek to empower families and the communities of these deaf students to offer ardent support to their deaf infants and to help demystify the social stigma that is associated with deafness among children. The center will be situated in Kampala the capital and will offer services in three distinctive areas including: an early intervention program, a pre-primary program, and a parent support and outreach program.
Pre-Primary program
Early Intervention program
Parent Support and Outreach Program
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To promote and offer support to parents and families of deaf and hard of hearing children
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To work to demystify the cultural stigma and beliefs associated with deafness by empowering the parents with information regarding hearing loss.
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To provide monthly parent workshops in order to deepen understanding of their child’s audiology, language, and academic needs
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To instruct parents in ongoing development of skills in use of Signing Exact English.
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To empower parents to advocate for themselves and their children in the community
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To cultivate relationships with area churches in order to develop awareness of deafness and needs associated with hearing loss