Deaf Reach School and Training Center (DRSTC) founded by Richard Gerry in 1995 in Karachi and his branches in seven different cities of the country are became a hop for disabled children, as over 1250 deaf students getting quality education on fully scholarship basis in a very innovative atmosphere. According to experts In Pakistan one million children are deaf that is an alarming situation and wake up call for the government.
According to details, Mr Faisal Zahid Malik Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Observer visited Deaf Reach School and Training Center (DRFST) Karachi, director DF Francis Doherty, Principal Sakina Ali and his team warmly welcome and gave briefing about their work to Mr Malik and his team.
The center is maintained state of the art basis and provide all needs to deaf student, in which big hall, lab, fully hygienic kitchen and food, kind and skill full teachers, hearing adds, and so many other facilities that are needed are providing to the student.
While talking with Pakistan Observer, Director DRSTC Frances Doherty belong to Scotland told that Seven Deaf Reach Schools provide academic (KG – College) and vocational skills training to over 1,250 deaf, children and adolescents, 40% of whom are female.
The students come from low-income low-education backgrounds, and are on full scholarship. The schools are located in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Nawabshah, Rashidabad – Tando Allahyar, Lahore and Jhelum. Deaf Reach College opened for advanced studies 3 years ago, and a BA program began in 2019, he added.To answering a question, he told that in addition to academics, all students receive marketable skills training, preparing them to successfully enter the job market. Via Deaf Reach’s Employment Program, over 1,500 jobs have been provided, helping deaf young adults to become self- sufficient and contributing citizens.
Doherty further said that according to recent demographics in Pakistan, there are over one million children who are profoundly deaf, yet less than 5% of these children have access to education! Deaf Reach is one of the only branch networks of schools for the Deaf in Pakistan reaching out into rural areas, and is continually expanding its programs to further empower marginalized urban and rural deaf youth, the majority of whom are economically challenged, to provide a brighter future for them.
