Partners

Circusschool Hannes from The Netherlands has been part of the project from the beginning. They have helpen educate the SPATs in Ethiopia between 2009-2011, and after the bankruptcy of Respo International they stepped in to support the continuation of the project. Currently, circusschool Hannes coordinates and executes training programs for SPATs in Ethiopia and Kenya.

The Kotobe Sports College in Addis Ababa is the only academic sports education facility in Ethiopia. They are actively involved with the SPAT program and make sure the training and education of the SPATs are in line with formal accreditation norms. This ensures that SPATs will be able to find jobs in the sports and education sectors. The Kotebe sports college cooperates with HAN University closely, and students from both institutions make sure the SPAT program remains up to date and new activities are being introduced regularly.

ROC van Twente and CIOS Goes are two established vocational training schools from The Netherlands with large sports faculties. They visit the SPAT project in Ethiopia annually with groups of up to 25 students. The project trips are very inspiring and valuable for both the students as for the SPATs themselves. The schools support SPAT by bringing materials and financial donations, which has been essential for the continuation of the project.

The Dutch foundation Vrienden van Effatha is one of the larger financial backers of the SPAT program. In 2019 they have supported the program directly, and they have committed for contiuous support between 2020-2022. It is not enough to cover the whole program, but it gives a base to develop the project and sustain it.

The Dutch charitable foundations Umoja and ‘t Groenland support and finance the SPAT program in Kwale, Kenya. These organizations have established the Deaf Center in Kwale in 2017. It is a community center for Deaf people with meeting rooms. sports facilities and guestrooms. From this center sports activities are offered for people from the surrounding areas. About 20 Deaf youth live there, and at the moment 8 of them are being educated as professional SPAT. They will be hired by the Deaf center for the foreseeable future, and will be guided to jobs in regular sports and education sectors.