In Eritrea, children with deafness have long faced significant barriers to accessing quality education, particularly those living in remote areas on the outskirts of Asmara. Many struggled with regular school attendance due to difficulties with timekeeping, long travel distances, and a lack of tailored educational support. In response, the organisation Children with Deafness Day approached the Eritrean Relief Association (ERA) to support efforts at the Asmara School for the Deaf, aiming to improve access, communication, and learning outcomes for deaf children.
Children with hearing impairments were being left behind due to a shortage of appropriate resources, limited access to trained educators, and an absence of communication tools such as sign language materials. Consistent school attendance was especially difficult for those living far from the school, as they lacked the necessary support systems to manage their time and maintain regular participation.
Without adapted learning tools and communication aids, both students and teachers faced daily challenges in the classroom, further widening the gap in educational inclusion.
ERA stepped in to provide educational materials specifically designed to support deaf learners, including educational toys that encourage visual and sensory learning. They also supplied curated television programmes suited for deaf children, making learning more interactive and accessible outside the traditional classroom.
In addition, ERA facilitated the development and distribution of sign language resources, helping to bridge the communication gap between students and educators. These solutions were designed to create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment for deaf children at the Asmara School for the Deaf.
