Jess’ relationship with the Deaf Association in Aden, Yemen

I was introduced to Yemen in 2006 when I spent five months in Aden teaching English in exchange for Arabic instruction. Teaching English to Aden’s teenagers, who could afford to study at the private English language institution, convinced me to explore the community. I had free time and wanted to volunteer somewhere in order to experience a wider range of Yemeni civil society.

Deaf friends in America taught me Signing Exact English, a Sign Language used in America, thus I was interested in Yemeni Sign Language (YSL). I found a Deaf Association in my neighborhood, in Aden, and told them I was interested in learning their language and volunteering for them. They taught me YSL, showed me their facilities, and took me on a weeklong trip with 40 deaf students around Yemen. I quickly realized that my idea of ‘me volunteering for them’ was a nice gesture, but I did nothing but receive YSL lessons and accompany the Deaf School on a field trip.

After falling in love with the dedicated teachers and students in the Adeni Deaf Community, I wanted to give back to them. I believe that if generous people from outside of Yemen know what this Adeni Deaf community does with the little money they are given, that citizens of the world will support them. I want to bring their story beyond Yemen, and returns to Yemen with support in the form of funds. That was the goal of my Fulbright research project, to produce a film documentary about Aden’s Deaf Community.

Deaf Association’s Work

The Hearing teachers of the Deaf told me about their funding, obstacles, and future goals for Aden’s Deaf Education. The Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of the Deaf and Mute (Deaf Association) is a government funded association under Yemen’s Ministry of Social Affairs with the responsibility to provide Deaf Education to Aden’s Deaf students in Public schools.

With minimal funding from the government, the Deaf Association educates and empowers children who would otherwise be lost in a society which does not have a space for them. The Deaf Association often creates spaces in society for Deaf students and adults: deaf students have access to sports and chess teams, and deaf adults can work in carpentry and sewing workshops. The Deaf Association uses its minimal government funding to facilitate a Deaf classroom with a signing teacher in one public school in each major neighborhood in Aden.

Each Deaf classroom is unique in its compellation of students, materials, and experience of the teacher. Some classrooms I visited held students of different ages and learning levels together; others might have three different age groups in one room, separated by a sheet hanging down from the ceiling; and others may be instructed by a struggling teacher who is far from fluent in YSL. In all the classrooms I visited and all the situations I witnessed: the teachers float around the room with animated faces and positively encouraged the deaf students, the students raised their hands and eagerly competed to answer the teacher’s question first, and there is present a sense of persistence looking towards the future.

"From My Hands من يدي" my documentary about Deaf Edu. in Yemen

"From My Hands من يدي " is a documentary that I did about Yemen's Deaf Education. It was recently accepted to the Tallgrass Film Festival. From My Hands من يدي will be shown in Wichita Kansas at these times and locations:

	Fri. Oct 24 2008, 1:45 pm | Old Town Warren Theatre Old Town Warren Theatre 2
	Sat. Oct 25 2008, 8:30 pm | Old Town Warren Theatre Old Town Warren Theatre 1
	Sun. Oct 26 2008, 3:30 pm | Orpheum Theatre

I am really excited about it, but unfortunately, I can't be there to present it. I really hope it raises awareness about the need to support the Deaf Association in Aden! Here is the beautiful poster for the Documentary, I hope I can post the documentary online soon!