As the Southern Africa Project Manager at DeafKidz International, Yvonne has overseen the rollout of the DeafKidz Defenders programme, which, in 2024, was delivered to over 1,500 young learners across South Africa and Zambia. Reflecting on the year, she shared her experiences, challenges, and excitement for what lies ahead in 2025.
“It has been such a beautiful experience to share this knowledge with young people,” Yvonne says. “The excitement they feel and the confidence they gain in safeguarding themselves are inspiring.” One of the most rewarding aspects has been witnessing peer-to-peer support in classrooms, where deaf learners ensure their fellow students understand the key safeguarding concepts.
A memorable moment came at a school in Rustenburg, South Africa, where school staff proactively requested safeguarding clearances before the DeafKidz team entered the school. “It reaffirmed the school’s commitment to protecting children,” Yvonne explains.
Another high point for Yvonne was working with a combined school for deaf and blind children in Mpumalanga. Although the DeafKidz team couldn’t directly deliver the programme to blind students, they equipped teachers with tools to extend safeguarding knowledge to the learners.
When a class completes the 6-hour DeafKidz Defenders programme, the DeafKidz team makes sure to celebrate the learners’ achievements. Each learner receives a certificate and a pencil case to commemorate their journey. “The kids’ smiles when they receive their certificates are unforgettable,” Yvonne says. “We celebrate them deliberately, showing them they are capable, strong, and loved. It’s been a beautiful journey across South Africa and Zambia.”
Despite the successes, challenges persist, particularly around access to hardware and internet connectivity. Many schools lack sufficient computers, and those available are often dedicated to sign language studies, which are essential for deaf learners. “We don’t want to compromise their education,” Yvonne emphasises, “but our programme is equally vital in building their safeguarding skills.”
However, DKI has been making progress in addressing these challenges. The introduction of an offline version of the DeafKidz Defenders programme has made implementation in remote areas more feasible. “Now, as long as we pre-download the game, we can deliver the programme anywhere,” she notes.
Yvonne is particularly excited about expanding the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework. “Self-reflection as an organisation is powerful,” she explains. “By testing the effectiveness of our programme, we can identify gaps and implement solutions, ensuring a better experience for our young learners.”
New geographies are also on the horizon, with rollouts planned in Kenya. “These bring exciting opportunities and valuable cultural learnings that we can integrate into our process flows,” Yvonne says. “We’re committed to delivering an effective and efficient programme globally.”
For Yvonne, 2024 was a year of growth and advancement of DeafKidz International’s mission. With plans to refine the programme further and reach new territories, 2025 promises to be another exciting year. As Yvonne sums up, “We will work hard to ensure that every deaf child we reach feels empowered, valued, and safeguarded.”