D.O.O.R Deaf Opportunity Outreach

Anissa had the amazing opportunity to visit DOOR here in Nairobi.  DOOR International's vision is to bring God's Word and Biblical Christian fellowship to Deaf communities worldwide.  DOOR was established in 1983 as a ministry dedicated to the training of Deaf leaders and the establishing of indigenous Deaf churches.  Their current work has been focused on translating the God's Word into the various Sign Languages of the World, using technology for recording & graphic design to produce DVD series for the Books of the Bible.

The whole process of the work they're doing is so intriguing! It is a very refined process. 

They have green rooms for recording and color coded shirts for various roles. 

The story is being signed while the picture is in the background. They have story boards, etc.

It was the neatest thing I had ever seen!  There were Deaf adults from various African countries all living there in the dormatories and working full time on translating the Bible into their own country's sign language.  I met Deaf people from Ghana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria & Tanzania!!!!

They all communicate using Kenyan Sign Language as the common sign language.  When I was in Africa in 2011, I never got to meet any Deaf people in Kenya.  I only had exposure to Ugandan Sign Language, which about half the signs are the same as in ASL.  I found Kenyan Sign Language fairly similar as well.  Ghana Sign Language is the closest to American Sign Language, however.  It was amazing to see how quickly I was able to communicate with so many Deaf people from so many different countries! 2 hearing people from 2 different countries could sit in a room together all day and never be able to communicate (via spoken language) unless they started acting out & gesturing.  But because of the visual/gestural nature of signed languages, 2 people from 2 different countries are able to find a common ground for communicating. I had always heard that it was true, but now I got to experience it first hand.  It was seriously one of the most invigorating phenomenas I've ever experienced! 

In addition to the Deaf translators, videographers, editors & graphic designers who work in the computer/video labs, they also hire Deaf staff for the cooks, gardeners, housekeepers, etc.  If you think Deaf people in America have a hard time getting jobs, you can imagine how much harder it is in a 3rd world country.  People with disabilities are often viewed as cursed, so DOORS empowers and enables Deaf adults, gives them a purpose and a sense of pride.

As a special treat, we got to join their staff Bible Study. We worshiped in KSL (Kenyan Sign Language) to the beat of the drum! I love their sign for hallelujah!  Their signs for God, Jesus, and name signs for Biblical characters are the same. We even got to have communion with Deaf Kenyan brothers & sisters in Christ!! What a special visit indeed!

There is also a jewelry making business where some of the Deaf women work to generate a source of income.  To see more about this ministry or to order some jewelry or DVDs on line go to www.doorinternationl.com