Deaf Ministry December 2003

Deaf people all over the Earth share the same challenge-the struggle to break the chains of deafness and become a legitimate member of the society. Well developed democratic countries grant could care for the people with such a disability. Hearing impaired people are usually diagnosed of all newborn and most probably immediately provided with a hearing aid. If they don’t fully merged into the hearing world, the country still leaves them many options to realize their life potential.

So what about Ukraine? Is the situation any different here? The answer is a definite yes. Unfortunately, deaf people of Ukraine are isolated within their own community. They live inside their own world, and every contact with the ” big world” is almost sure to bring them frustration and pain. An interview with a leading man Zhitomir audiologist repealed some aspects of the problem.

Victor Hodakivsky is a young doctor with only seven years of practice. However, he is one of the best audiologists in Ukraine. He was the one to urge the law of 2001 stating that infants should undergo mandatory audiological examination. The fact is that in Ukraine, until the year of 2000, children used to be examined by an audiologist only after they turned five years of age. Now, a professional will tell you if the child diagnosed with a hearing loss at the age of five is unlikely to ever use voice communication. Automatically, the child’s intellectual abilities will be reduced. Conversely, if you provide the infant with a hearing aid at the age of six months, his language skills will develop at a normal pace. You probably think ” well, how can you not examine the infant? Why would you wait five years?”

Regrettably, most of Ukraine’s troubles originate in the lack of finances. The situation with audiology is no exception. In 1993 computer-related or theological examination was done legislatively adopted in Europe as obligatory. In Ukraine’s such a diagnostic method appeared in 1995. Since this examination is available only in the capital city of Kiev, the number of people signing up for it is enormous. The waiting period can be up to seven years. Obviously, the situation is critical. Moreover, Ukrainian and medical universities don’t even offer to qualification of an audiologist. Usually, otolaryngologists treat hearing-impaired people.

In the western world 80 percent of hearing impaired people attend regular public schools, and in Ukraine only 60 percent if of them go to specialized schools. The rest don’t receive any education at all. It’s a terrible statistic for such a high potential country as Ukraine’s! And all this still doesn’t give a full account of the problem.

In Ukraine at specialized schools for the deaf, teachers are not allowed to use sign language. It is like being in a class where the teacher speaks nothing but Chinese! This is what most classes are like for deaf students in Ukraine. You’re lucky if you speak Chinese, but the majority probably doesn’t. The students can’t hear a word, and yet are required to learn the lesson. How absurd is that?! It is not surprising that most deaf people are of much lower intelligence than the hearing people.

It is obvious that all these problems spring up from one big shortcoming. If children were provided with a hearing aid get a proper time, they would have a chance to live their life to its fullest. Only 19 percent of the deaf and Ukraine’s possess a hearing aid. What about the remaining 81 percent? This is the case where money can save many lives

Dr. Hodakivsky pointed out the necessity for having equipment for computer ideological diagnosing in every region of the country as well as providing to death with hearing aids.

Our hearts, to those who have never heard their mother’s lullaby is, the sound of the wind playing with the autumn leaves, the pearling of the water springs, not even their own voice … even though they cannot hear, we’re still able to make a difference in their lives. We most definitely can improve the lives of those whom God has allowed to deaf. By Olya Mangusheva

Our ministry to the deaf in Zhitomir was initiated a few years ago, when that mission to Ukraine’s was giving out Christmas presents at a local specialized school for hearing impaired children. The hearts of MTU’s staff or overwhelmed with love for the kids and with a desire to reach out to them. The staff started praying for this ministry and especially for people to take the lead in it. In the meantime, the mission was providing deaf children with medical help at MTU’s clinic.

Last year caught made it possible to minister to the hearing-impaired children of our region. He provided volunteers who formed a friendly ended enthusiastic team, and also means and ways to carry out the ministry. Team is comprised mostly of college students take sign language classes at the mission. During last year the team undertook regular trips to the specialized school in a small village near Zhitomir, ministering to the students in praise songs, skits, and sermons.

Every weekend Sunday school and Bible classes were conducted at the school for those who were interested. Children were eagerly waiting for us to come to their school with their program. And every Wednesday and Sunday older students attended services in Loving Community Church. They were willing to, because they saw that they were loved for who they were, and they opened their hearts to us. During summer camps several children repented and give their hearts to Jesus. We continue praying that God but

However, last year God enabled us to accomplish even more than that. The abstinence Department of the mission also conducted abstinence classes at the deaf school. Young students heard for the first time true facts about abortions, STD’s, AIDS, drug abuse and their negative consequences. The knowledge they had about things listed above was limited and for the most part incorrect. Therefore, this information was extremely decisive; it helped many make the right choice for their lives.

This year we decided to continue pursuing our goal: children need to learn about Christ on a regular basis. However we faced a problem: local authorities prohibited running all services and Sunday schools at the deaf school without a special permission from the head of the city council. Heart team prayed, believing that God controls everything and that He would find the best solution possible. We didn’t have to wait long; within a week we were allowed to continue our services and school. At present the headmaster of the school, although reluctantly, permits us to calm, yet her art remains extremely hard. Her ministry is still forming so your prayers would help us a great deal. Thank you for all the support your providing. God bless you!
Olya Yastrebova

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