Talking hands in Cajamarca

Inclusion and educational opportunities for young deaf people in the High Andes

Imagine you get your first textbook in primary school, but no one can teach you how to read it. This is what happened to Judith Rodríguez, 15 years old and deaf. She comes from Cajabamba, a remote province in the Peruvian high Andes of Cajamarca. From an early age, it was difficult for her to make herself understood. But she was inventive: she created her own language with simple hand signs. Her parents, impressed by her creativity, wanted her to have a chance at education. They heard about offers for the deaf in the regional capital Cajamarca and sent their youngest daughter there - a daring step. Among other things, Judith learned sign language in Cajamarca. Her self-confidence blossomed. Currently, she attends the fourth grade of the public secondary school, supported by sign language interpreters. She has many friends and does well at school.

Background

Peru is the third largest country in Latin America. The Corona crisis, combined with a subsequent political crisis, hit the country hard (BMZ 2022). According to the World Bank, around 26 % of the Peruvian population lived below the national poverty line in 2021 (World Bank 2023). Although the government increased existing social assistance programmes, most poor families do not have access to them (Suarez Rojas, 2021). The crises also have a very negative impact on the education system. Only those with sufficient economic means can afford a good education (Gómez-Arteta & Escobar-Mamani 2021). Deaf children and young people have particularly poor access to education (Defensoría del Pueblo, 2020). Peruvian laws prescribe inclusion, i.e. pupils with disabilities should also have unrestricted access to education and attend mainstream schools (Bonilla, Cueto and Felipe 2021). In reality, however, things are different. The Ombudsman’s Office (“Defensoría del Pueblo”) warned in 2019 that 76% of public secondary schools and 83% of private secondary schools do not provide adequate educational opportunities for deaf students (Defensoría del Pueblo, 2020). According to the school census, 587 deaf students were excluded from primary and 350 from secondary education in 2019 alone (ibid.). There is no alternative for them. Against this background, the promotion of the integration and education of young deaf people in Peru is urgently needed.

The good deed

Most deaf people in Peru have a hard time participating in educational opportunities on an equal footing. This is where your good deed comes in. The non-profit association Asociación Holanda promotes the social participation of young deaf people and opens up educational opportunities. Thanks to your good deed today, sign language lessons can be offered in kindergartens for deaf and hearing people. Interpreters also translate lessons at primary and secondary schools. These measures help children and young people to participate in lessons without restrictions - they achieve learning success. In addition, the language development of children with residual hearing is promoted. Through these offers, the city of Cajamarca is developing into an oasis for the deaf in Peru. In the meantime, the first graduates of the educational programme of the Asociación Holanda are attending the university.