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Around the world, individuals who are deafblind often live on the margins of society, unseen, misunderstood, and isolated. In many cases, families struggle with feelings of shame or hopelessness, unsure of how to help their children who face dual sensory loss. Without proper support, deafblind children are deprived of essential communication, exposure to life experiences, and the opportunity to develop vital concepts about their surroundings. This leads to profound developmental delays, social isolation, and total dependence.
Recognizing these challenges, the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf (HLID), founded by the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East in 1964, established the first Deafblind Department in Jordan in 2001. As the only such facility in the Arab Middle East at the time, HLID provides comprehensive services including rehabilitation, education, and vocational training, specifically designed for the needs of deafblind children. Through tactile learning methods, students learn to communicate, explore, and engage with the world.
Mohammad Samaha joined HLID in 2001 at the age of six. At the time, he had no way to express himself or connect with those around him. Over the next several years, HLID’s team worked closely with Mohammad and his family to lay the foundation for communication using tactile language. He learned to identify objects through 3D models, navigate space independently, and develop daily living skills.
Between 2009 and 2018, Mohammad’s progress accelerated. He began to associate Braille letters with words and objects, mastered tactile communication, and developed a sense of time through calendars. His learning extended far beyond academics: he gained confidence through vocational training in cooking, laundry, pottery, and shopping, skills that would one day allow him to live and work independently.
In 2022, Mohammad achieved what had once seemed impossible. Father Jamil Monir Khadir, General Executive Director of HLID, shared with us that Mohammad graduated from HLID and became the first deafblind person employed in the Arab Middle East, working in HLID’s housekeeping department. He now navigates the school campus with independence and pride, contributing to the community that once nurtured him.
Mohammad’s incredible story is a powerful example of what is possible when institutions are built on compassion, inclusion, and expertise.
Because of your generosity, AFEDJ is able to support HLID and other life-changing institutions of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Your gift enables the training of specialized teachers, the development of adaptive learning tools, and the creation of opportunities that break cycles of exclusion and despair.
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