Return Mission to Kenya for Hearing Centre MD - Winter 2006

A school for the deaf in a remote area of Kenya may be a far cry from a pleasantly appointed, well-resourced hearing centre in Seaford, Sussex. But for Robert Davies, Managing Director of Seaford Hearing Centre, the Reverend Muhoro School for the Deaf has become a familiar sight.

Robert recently completed his third visit to the school which is located in the district of Mukurwe-ini on the slopes of Mount Kenya. In his suitcase was an array of much-needed equipment to donate to the school – hearing aids, diagnostic equipment, teaching aids, batteries and a laptop computer – with a total retail value of £60,000.

With him on the trip was Matt Cannon, his business partner at Sevenoaks Hearing Centre. Together they braved a 10-hour flight and a lengthy drive over near impassable roads during the country’s rainy season.

The school was started in 1993 with just ten deaf boys.  It now has a roll of 106 boys and 95 girls aged 16 to 22 – with plans underway for further expansion.

The school has a mix of deaf and profoundly deaf boarders from Kenya and as far afield as Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. They integrate with day pupils with full hearing which helps them retain and develop their powers of speech.

Robert and Matt were able to test and fit many students, some receiving a hearing aid for the very first time – and they treasure the memories of the pupils’ delight and satisfaction once their aids were up and running. The rest of their time was spent teaching the hearing technician and other members of staff how to use the new equipment.

Robert, who has funded the visits himself, commented: “Once again we are indebted to the many manufacturers who willingly allowed us to press them for donations of aids and equipment. They included Phonak, whose support enabled us to take digital aids to the school for the first time; GN Resound who supplied an Aurical, without which digital aids could not be fitted; and Rayovac who once again gave us vast quantities of batteries.

“The school, through the heroic efforts of their management and staff, has achieved so much in the absence of a welfare system and with limited state funding. It is dependent on charitable support and we are delighted to help them in this way. In total over £100,000 worth of equipment has been donated on our visits – and we will continue to support them.