Speaking the same language

Nestled a short walk from the shores of Lake Malawi is a rust-coloured brick elementary school called Bandawe Primary. Maxwell Jr. is one of its 62 students in the classes for deaf students. The fact that he attends school is a remarkable story in itself – UNICEF reports that only 33 percent of children in Malawi complete elementary school. But Maxwell’s journey is even more extraordinary because he is hard of hearing.

In Malawi, parents are sometimes frightened when their children have disabilities, believing someone is cursing their family. Some children are rejected at enrollment due to their disability and excluded from education entirely. Even when enrolled, children with disabilities are 50 percent less likely to complete primary school than their peers, according to a report by the International Center for Evidence in Disability. Without education, Maxwell is likely to grow up with few opportunities and face a cycle of material poverty.

But Maxwell’s school is different; at Bandawe Primary, staff provide opportunities for students who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and teachers get specialized training to reach these students. Maxwell’s teacher, Pearson Chimono, communicates with him using Malawian Sign Language (MSL), allowing Maxwell to learn, express himself and connect with his peers.

“He’s able to show his intelligence and one day use his God-given gifts within his community,” said Pearson. Bandawe is a Christ-centred school associated with EduDeo’s partner in the region. As Maxwell’s world opened up at school, a new challenge emerged at home: his parents didn’t know sign language.

Bringing learning home

Put yourself in the shoes of Maxwell Maseyal Sr., a father committed to supporting his son’s education. While Maxwell was learning to communicate with the world, he still couldn’t communicate with his dad. That gap was heartbreaking – and Bandawe took action.

With support from EduDeo’s partner association, the school secured funding to host a sign language workshop for parents at Bandawe Primary this summer. The goal was simple but profound: to help families speak the same language.

“The training was very important,” said teacher Alfred Chirwa. “It addressed the gap between our students and their parents in terms of communication. Before, learning stopped at the school gate. Now it continues at home.”

Chila explained that without sign language, parents couldn’t assist their children with schoolwork or emotional support. “It was lessening the time of learning for our students,” he said. “And emotionally, our students were negatively affected. That emotional disconnect was creating a dangerous relationship between parents and children.”

Parent-child connection

For parents like Robert Mwale, the workshop was transformative. “Our communication with our children is much simpler now,” he said. “Before, they were separating themselves from others. Now, they’re making friends and feeling included.”

Malay also noted that the training gave parents the tools to support their children’s learning at home, especially in situations where children had previously felt isolated. “Truly, this training has already shaped the learners in terms of character,” he said.

Maxwell’s father echoed the sentiment. “Before we came here, we had challenges in communication,” he said. “Now we’re learning sign language that will help us at home and even with school activities. It’s a privilege to gain this knowledge that will help our children and us as parents.”

The workshop didn’t just teach signs – it built bridges. For the first time, students like Maxwell can connect with their parents first-hand, not second-hand through teachers or interpreters. That shift is changing lives.

Headmistress Winnie Banda saw the change immediately. “Parents learned more signs, and that made the students happy at home,” she said. “There is good communication now between students and parents.”

In a place where education is difficult to access, Bandawe Primary is making learning personal. It’s not just about academics – it’s about relationships, dignity and hope. And now, thanks to this workshop, learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. It continues around kitchen tables, in evening conversations, and in the first-hand moments between parent and child.