There are currently no state-run educational centers for the deaf in EG.
The lack of access to specialist education is compounded by social stigma around deafness and wider disabilities. As is the case in many African nations, being deaf in EG means many face isolation and abandonment by family members, resulting in a lost generation.
Pilar Bilongo, a teacher who studied sign language, understood the urgency of educating deaf children as early as possible and founded La Fe, a school for deaf children in the port city of Bata in 2013. La Fe became the first school in the country to accept deaf pupils over the age of seven with no previous training in sign language.
As Pilar trained new teachers, the school expanded and admitted children with other disabilities with the support of UNICEF, becoming more inclusive. The school now has 104 students today.
Trident Energy financed Pilar’s training since it entered EG for several months and she was able to train other teachers and parents on how to work and communicate with deaf children.
Trident Energy continues to support the school through financial donation initiatives to provide essential school supplies and financed the end of year celebration, handing gifts for the best students, teachers and all the children in preschool.
La Fe provides a vital source of inclusive education and support to ensure students can reach their potential. This has led to some fantastic achievements already including students winning international tournaments and one student winning a global photography prize and invited to showcase their work in Madrid. The teachers are now all trained in sign language and specialist teachers for vocations including tailoring and carpentry also teach at the school.
Trident Energy continues to be committed financially and is proud to support the school and nurture its growth.
Pilar Bilogo, Founder and Director of the school“As a teacher and a mother, I feel terrible when I see wider society and parents giving up on deaf and disabled children – thinking they cannot achieve anything or grow up to be important people. Today, after many years of hard work, seeing the young students of La Fe not only able to read and write but also use technology, and do everything other ‘normal’ children can do is the biggest reward I can receive. Our students can now communicate amongst themselves, with others, work and have a happy, healthy and productive life. I am very thankful to Trident Energy for believing in our school and continuing to support us in many ways.”