Friends of the Deaf International
Welcome to Help the Deaf International and Life House Deaf School & Orphanage!
It has been said "To not be able to hear is a nuisance, to not be able to communicate... a tragedy".
Can you imagine a life without the ability to communicate? This is the reality for many of the deaf in Cameroon, Africa where there are few resources for the deaf. Many deaf children never learn sign language or have the opportunity to go to school.
Unable to sign, read or write, they are locked in a life of poverty with no voice or sense of community, considered by many to be nothing but "throw aways"
It was to help these "throw aways" in developing countries that caused Bishop Michael Jarrett to found the ministry outreach, "Friends of the Deaf International ".
The goal of the ministry is to help the deaf in developing countries learn to read, write, sign and develop a vocation, so they can lead productive lives. To do this meant helping establish schools for the deaf, and creating a school / home model of sustainability that could be reproduced over and over again in Cameroon and in other developing countries.
Helping the Deaf in Cameroon
Andre Bikond and his wife founded Lifehouse Deaf School and Orphanage in 2004 to help change the destinies of deaf children in Cameroon.
Deaf themselves, they knew first hand the difficulties faced in Cameroon and wanted to give opportunity for deaf children to learn sign language, to read, write,and become part of a community where they would be loved and appreciated.
Friends of the Deaf International in partnership with LifeHouse in Obala, Cameroon is helping change the destiny of deaf children by giving them the ability to communicate, welcoming them into a loving community and giving them hope for the future.
Beginning in 2008, Friends of the Deaf International has partnered with Rev Andre Bikond and Lifehouse Deaf School in Cameroon.
Over the past 4 years, Friends of the Deaf International has provided clothing, school supplies, sewing machines (for vocational training) and other resources for Lifehouse.
Friends of the Deaf also makes annual trips to visit the school, encourage the teachers and staff and bring supplies.
Our goal is to help develop a deaf school and orphanage that is model of sustainability.
