Our mission at EEESMA School for the Deaf is to ensure that all San Miguel de Allende children who are Deaf become literate, independent, and productive citizens who set and achieve life goals.
There are no publicly funded schools for deaf children in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico. If the parent of a deaf child with limited resources wishes to send their child to school they have no option but to send them to languish, virtually untaught, in a public school classroom with hearing students and with no special instruction in Mexican Sign Language.
EEESMA School for the Deaf opened its doors on September 3, 2012 to assist these children. A group of seven dedicated local residents and professionals, who had a special interest in helping deaf students in the community, came together to form the board of trustees, have the non-profit society registered, rent and renovate suitable premises, hire three Mexican teachers and reach out into the community to bring deaf Mexican youngsters together to improve their standard of education.
In 2019, for the first time, three young women completed their on-line high school classes. This is a huge milestone for EEESMA School for the Deaf and offers, first hand, role models to other young people who are Deaf. One of these graduates has gone on to earn an undergraduate degree in education and is now a teacher at the school. The young ones witness their fellow students' success and are inspired by it, working hard to achieve that same success, and maybe even more.
In recent years a Vocational Training Program at the school started up to help students transition from the school world to the working world. Workshops in sewing, carpentry and jewelry making have proven very successful with several students now employed or self-employed in their communities. Computer tech skills, computer coding and robotics have also been introduced. It is well known that being competent in computer skills will help level the playing field for deaf students seeking employment following graduation.
We also know there are many more deaf children in the San Miguel community who deserve the opportunity of an education; we continue to search for ways to bring them to this special school. Thank you for considering your support.