Students Learn Hope at Lutheran School for the Deaf
Without Eph Phatha Lutheran School for the Deaf in India, Manojkumar wouldn’t speak and Lavayna would not understand the meaning of friendship.
Manojkumar and Lavayna are from underdeveloped villages outside of Bangalore, India, where illiteracy is common and resources for people experiencing deafness are rare. It is the only school for deaf students in more than a 60-mile radius.
A classroom of students at Eph Phatha Lutheran School for the Deaf in India sign “I love you”. The school receives financial assistance from LCMS World Relief and Human Care.
With a $20,000 grant from LCMS World Relief and Human Care, and cooperation of LCMS World Mission, Manojkumar, Lavayna and 44 other students are taught by three specially-trained teachers and cared for by a cook, watchman and housemother.
Rev. D.S. Christudoss, director of India Evangelical Lutheran Church Deaf Ministry, says the team “works around the clock,” and without LCMS World Relief and Human Care, the children might not receive the care and education they need.
“The school plays a vital role in education and in giving new life to the deaf children,” he said.
United Evangelical Mission-India provides sponsorship to 17 students for their physical needs, but there is great need for more student sponsorships.
The school opened its doors in 2003, with eight students. Since then, Rev. Christudoss estimates the school has served nearly 1,000 children and adults in the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC).
Manojkumar
When Manojkumar began attending the school three years ago, he didn’t speak. But since then, he has blossomed. He now speaks well, better than most students at the school.
He is described as active, charming, a good helper and loving to his peers.
He excels in Carom board, a game combining chess, billiards and other games, cricket and other sports. He won Carom board and drawing prizes at state-level competitions.
Manojkumar attends Eph Phatha Lutheran School for the Deaf in India where he learned to speak and excels in board games and sports.
Lavayna
Lavayna’sfamily is from a poor village where people were not friendly to her.
Her parents were initially apprehensive to let her go, but eventually agreed to let her attend the school and live at the hostel. Gradually Lavayna made friends at the school. Now she writes letters to her parents and does well in school.
While Lavayna struggles with speech, she excels in dance. She won prizes in dance at both an inter-school competition and the state level. She is learning to cook and garden after school and likes playing, skipping and drawing.
Both students will begin pre-vocational training next school year along with their regular academic training.
Lavayna attends Eph Phatha Lutheran School for the Deaf in India. She loves to dance and won awards at the state level.
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