Deaf in Cape Verde

Introduction / History

In many situations, Deaf people are viewed as disability groups, but a more accurate approach is to consider them as distinct people groups. They have their own unique languages and culture.

Unlike most people groups, Deaf people can be found in every country in the world and often blend in with the broader community around them. That includes the Deaf in Cape Verde.

There are many common experiences shared by Deaf people around the world that contribute to Deaf culture. Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their family and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In 2001, an Association for the Deaf was established in Cape Verde. In 2010, due to a high percentage of Deaf students in a school in Mindelo, on the island of Sao Vicente, two teachers managed to convince the school administration to commit one of the classrooms for them to teach these Deaf students in a separate environment using sign language, as they were not performing well in the regular classroom environment. It has been very successful, and stories about its success have appeared in the national media, which were also picked up by the media in Portugal.

A large Deaf school has also been established in Praia on the Island of Santiago and the other islands have been sending their Deaf students to study at this school. The Association for the Deaf in Cape Verde now has its headquarters located at this Deaf school in Praia.

The Ministry of Education has set Lingua Gestual Portuguesa (LGP), Portuguese Sign Language, as the official sign language for Cape Verde. The Association for the Deaf in Portugal has been investing in this school in Praia, both in terms of financing and personnel to teach LGP in the school. On the National Television Station, the news programs, many public service and political programs, now include a window with interpretation into LGP. Hence, there isn't much ongoing support, and there probably isn t much hope for the survival of the Cape Verdean variants of LGP.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though the vast majority of the people in the Cape Verde are Christian, the Deaf lag behind because they require special communication skills.

What Are Their Needs?

There is an urgent need for a translation of scripture in LGP for the Deaf in Portugal and all the other countries like Cape Verde that are using LGP. It would also be wonderful if the JESUS Film with an LGP interpretation window in the corner could be produced.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to pave the way for the spiritual needs of the Deaf in Cape Verde.
Pray for the Lord to reach the Deaf in Cape Verde through dreams and visions.
Pray for him to raise up loving Christians to work in Deaf schools.

Text Source:   Joshua Project