Kenya

The SPAT project in Kenya takes place in the region of Kwale, in the Southeast of the country. It is initiated by the Kwale Deaf Centre, a community center for Deaf and hard of hearing people that was set up in 2017 by the Dutch foundations Umoja and ‘t Groenland. The Deaf Centre is a meeting place for Deaf people from all over Kwale, and features sports facilities like a basketball court. A football pitch will be constructed mid 2021.

The aim of the Deaf Centre is to strengthen the position of Deaf people in the Kwale region. From this vision the SPAT project was introduced in 2019 in Kwale from the Deaf Centre. From late 2019 onward experts from different countries have visited the Deaf Centre and provided training programs for talented local Deaf youth. Those who qualify will be certified and enabled to provide sports activities independently. De training program is coordinated by mr Anne Kuipers of Circusschool Hannes from The Netherlands. Hij is supported by SPAT instructors from Ethiopia, who have traveled to Kwale on two occasions in 2020.  They have exchanged their experience and knowledge with the Deaf participants in Kenya. These have been valuable experiences for everyone involved.

Early 2020 the Kenyan SPATS have started to give workshops and sports activities at schools in the direct surroundings of the Deaf Centre. Unfortunately, these activities had to be suspended because of the Corona virus Pandemic. The schools in Kenya have been closed for almost a year. The training of the SPATs did continue, in March and in October teams from The Netherlands and Ethiopia visited Kwale and continued with the training programs. In stead of sports activities in schools, the SPAT team worked with adults.

Early 2021, the schools have reopened in Kenya and the SPAT program has continued. We expect that in the course of 2021 the first group of SPAT trainees will be certified and from that moment they will be employed as SPAT from the Deaf Centre. After some time we will try to find jobs for them in the education and sport sectors.

In June 2020 a trip is planned to the Deaf Centre for a group of Deaf youth from Europe. They will join the programs of the Deaf Centre and explore Kwale and surroundings.

SPAT team in Kenya – 2021

Training of Deaf SPATs in Kenya, by Deaf instructors from Ethiopia

Introduction video about the Deaf Centre in Kwale