A Place of Hope and Promise in Livingstone
We paid a visit to De Santos Deaf Centre, a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to providing a safe haven for deaf students where they can learn, grow, and thrive. The centre was established in 2014 and opened its doors in 2015. The centre started with only three students and today, it has 25 young learners.
Building Dreams, One Step at a Time
De Santos Deaf Centre was born from the need to nurture, uplift children with hearing disabilities and allow the children to have normal childhood experiences with kids similar to them while feeling safe and comfortable. Ms. Memory Kamwi, one of its founders, reflects on the early days with heartfelt sincerity. “We faced so many challenges,” she shared. “Convincing families to trust us, finding the resources we needed was hard. But seeing how far we’ve come, it’s all been worth it.” Parenting a child with a disability is a journey unlike any other. It is a complex, deeply emotional, colourful and nuanced version of parenthood. Parents play a variety of roles in the upbringing of children. They protect their children, they act as guides, advocates, and a safety net because their child’s vulnerability feels like it makes their very existence dependent on them.
“Convincing families to trust us, finding the resources we needed was hard. But seeing how far we’ve come, it’s all been worth it.”
But in trying to shield their children from the world, parents often unintentionally take away the everyday experiences that shape childhood; making mistakes, having room to explore, having independence. The room for small moments and discovery isn’t provided. It’s a delicate and complicated balance.
Teaching with Heart
At the centre of De Santos is its dedicated team, like Favour Faith Nawale, a teacher who joined in 2022. Having a conversation with Ms.Nawale, you can tell she is a committed and energetic educator who admires and cares for each one of her students. When she talks about her journey, she talks about it as one she didn’t place any set expectations, just the hope of making some positive impact knowing it would be a challenge for her.“I wanted to challenge the idea that deaf children can’t achieve great things,” she said. “Every day, they prove how capable they are, and it inspires me to give my best.”
As much as Favour enjoys what she does, her journey is not without challenges. One of the biggest struggles she highlighted was the communication gap between parents and their children which makes it difficult for them to assist with their schoolwork. As Favour noted, “When students go home, they often struggle with their homework because their parents can’t help them.”
“I wanted to challenge the idea that deaf children can’t achieve great things.”
To close this gap, the centre introduced sign language classes for parents. The lessons are there to allow parents to engage with their children’s education and daily lives and allow them to bond and relate on a deeper level.
Transforming Lives Through Sport
One of the biggest highlights at De Santos has been its partnership with Play It Forward Zambia. This partnership has brought structured sport programmes to the centre, giving the children exciting ways to explore, grow and learn new skills. “We never realised how talented they were,” Favour shared with pride.“Sport has brought out a side of them we hadn’t seen before; confidence, teamwork, and so much joy.”
For Brian, a 14-year-old who has been at the centre for seven years, football is his source of happiness. “I love football,” he said. “It’s taught me discipline and how to work with others.” Brian shared that he used to be really shy and quiet. But having a sports day meant he had to interact with other children, something he wasn’t used to. “Some sports require us to work and plan as a team, so I had to get comfortable speaking to people and connecting with them,” he said. The more he did it, the more natural it started to feel. The programme’s impact goes beyond the field, helping students build confidence that carries into their homes and communities.
A Parent’s Gratitude
For Memory Kamwi, who is also a parent to four deaf children, the centre has been life changing. “The sports lessons have improved my children’s lives in so many ways,” she said warmly. “Even at home, they’ve grown so much, and I’m forever grateful.” The partnership with Play It Forward has not only improved the children’s lives but also planted a seed of hope and possibility at the school.
“Sports require us to work and plan as a team, so I had to get comfortable speaking to people and connecting with them.”
Hope for Tomorrow
De Santos Deaf Centre has achieved incredible milestones, but its journey is far from over. The school dreams of acquiring more resources; sports jerseys, shoes, and nets to improve its programmes. It also seeks support to strengthen its classrooms and ensure that every child’s potential is nurtured to the fullest.
This remarkable centre reminds us how far one gets when we work together. With strengthened support, De Santos can help its students overcome obstacles and shine brightly, and prove that deafness is not a barrier but a uniqueness that should be embraced and celebrated.
