Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Gitega (Agenzia Fides) – The “Centre pour Déficients Auditifs” has been offering quality education to the deaf of Gitega for 26 years now. In 1977, Monsignor Pierre Canisius Batembekeza, while he was serving as head of Education in the Archdiocese, showed his support for the project and in 1982, the Archdiocese decided to begin the Center, with the help of several volunteers, opening its doors to 10 children. There were three main objectives: rehabilitate and re-educate in the word and in communications; offer an education on par with the other public schools; guarantee a professional diploma and insertion into the working world. Today, there are 215 youth from all over the country that attend the institute and benefit from the same educational program available in the public schools, but with double the duration. A large number of its graduates, when they wish to continue with their studies, are able to attend high school and Universities.
One of the most important successes of the Diocesan Center, is that of helping parents accept the handicaps of their children and spreading awareness in the culture of the need to care for children with hearing problems, who often lack qualified teachers and the aid they need. The diocesan institute itself continues working to obtain government support and guarantee its teachers the same benefits as in the public sector. In its 25th anniversary, celebrated in 2007, the Vicar General of Gitega, Monsignor Pierre Canisius Batembekeza described these past years as “a gift from the Lord, inviting each one of us to live out a selfless love, especially towards those most in need, such as the deaf. God wishes nothing more than the good of the human person.” Mons. Batembekeza also asked all educators to strive for perfection in their efforts for improving the formation given in the institute. (AM) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2008)
