Introduction
In 2022, the execution of the Kemper Foundation’s activities returned to “normal” after the influence of COVID in previous years. Unfortunately, negotiations with the central government have shown no progress. However, cooperation from local authorities increased considerably and the AMCRE/Kemper Foundation team in Dakar therefore turned to these institutions through deaf parent organizations.
I. Project progress
A. Training deaf children
a) Sign language lessons
The 2021/22 school year began in most homes (deaf training centers) on November 1, 2020 and welcomed 206 students, including 72 girls, distributed among the 16 operational homes. Of this total, 47 were new students. Literacy and sign language classes were taught by 22 instructors appointed by parents and friends of the deaf. In 2022, following the success of 2021, sign language courses were provided for the second year to 100 non-deaf people, such as parents, friends of deaf people and especially primary school students. This occurred in half of all deaf homes, with the number being 88 non-deaf students. Cooperation with primary schools close to homes remained good. Some school principals have even provided a classroom for these lessons in order to promote better communication between hearing and non-hearing students. The fact that some advanced deaf students help their instructor to teach new students also went well in 2022 (“approach to the education of the deaf by the deaf”), with a follow-up sheet for each student.
b) Controls
AMCRE monitoring visits have resumed. Three missions took place: in Diamagene, Malika and Pikine. Inspection visits took place every month, mainly to homes in the suburbs of Dakar. During these visits, the quality of teaching is checked and, where appropriate, the association of parents of deaf people is assisted with advice and assistance. AMCRE staff increasingly works with modern technology: video chats via WhatsApp contact are established with the instructor and with students in order to evaluate the performance of instructors and students and, if necessary, improve them in the training of instructors.
c) Training of instructors
An instructor refresher course took place from December 12 to 17, 2022 in the new AMCRE office, Tivaouane Peuhl, during which 9 instructors from nearby regions were trained. Some parents and friends of deaf people also participated in the course. François Manga and Babacar Seck were the trainers of the instructors. At the end of the course, the instructors were subjected to a test in order to have a certain guarantee of their skills. They should also train other new instructors.
d) Collaboration with public schools close to homes
This collaboration is very important to promote the integration of deaf children into hearing society. Facilitators from several homes for the deaf (Gandiaye, Kaolack, Keur Madiabel, Bignona and Diohine) participated in the “Cellules Pédagogiques” program, organized by teachers to expand primary education with activities of local interest.
e) Cooperation with the government
The Ministry of Education committed at the time (2021) to prepare a new agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Kemper Foundation, in which, in addition to recognizing the work of the Foundation and AMCRE, an amount of government support in costs and collaboration between public primary schools and homes for the deaf, and the making of a video would be recorded. Pending the development of this agreement, AMCRE will now focus on strengthening associations of parents of the deaf and, through them, on a possible contribution from Municipal Services.
f) Educational material
Over the past year, time has been dedicated to preparing a wider variety of educational materials and work that will continue into 2023. A Kemper Foundation promotional video was also produced about the work of literacy of the deaf of the Foundation. This was carried out by Bibvision, based on a scenario developed by Jan, using AMCRE reserve funds. The film aims to further involve the public in this work and to make parents of deaf children understand the importance of education for their children.
g) Work after training
Seven other associations of parents of deaf children have now followed the example of the Keur Madiabel parents’ association: older students are placed in local artisan workshops to learn a trade. This concerns the profession of tailor, hairdresser, wood, metal and aluminum worker, mason, electrician, shoemaker, gardener or restaurateur. AMCRE is working on a statistical representation of these activities.
h) Remuneration of instructors
With the support of the RKWO, most of the compensation paid to instructors is financed by the Kemper Foundation via AMCRE. At the same time, parent associations are reminded by AMCRE that they are the ones who must make the greatest contribution to the payment of instructors in the interest of the continuity of this important work. Unfortunately, in many places it is still difficult for parent associations to achieve this.
B. Live better with the knowledge acquired
This Kemper Foundation program is part of the program of activities of the CREs (Educational Resource Centers) in Senegal. The proposal for the rehabilitation of eligible learning centers was developed by the former president of the Foundation and presented to the National Center for Educational Resources (CNRE).
C. Promotion of reading
After this project had worked well for several years, the library managers of the two localities (Diarère and Ndondol) encountered problems: the books borrowed were no longer returned. As a result, AMCRE felt compelled to ask the Foundation to suspend the supply of new books until this issue was resolved.
D. Strengthening infrastructure (homes for the deaf and CREs)
The construction of a wall around the Gandiaye CRE, tendered in 2021, was completed in 2022. The Gandiaye CRE, built according to the same architecture as the other CREs, is considered a prototype for the future development of homes for deaf. In addition, four applications were received for support for construction projects, two from UNESCO clubs and two from parents’ associations. After review by AMCRE, more details will need to be provided before these projects can be submitted to donors.
II. AMCRE
– AMCRE submitted an activity plan with a budget for 2023. In response, the board of directors of the Kemper Foundation indicated that it would guarantee an amount of up to 43,330 euros. In 2021, the AMCRE secretariat was made up of 2 full-time employees, including the administrator (Nfally Sany Diatta) and 1 intern (Lamine Diallo). In addition, there were two specialists in the deaf project: François Manga and his assistant (Babacar Seck).
– the AMCRE Board of Directors is made up of 5 unpaid members: Babacar Fall (president), Fatou Ndiaye (secretary), Mamadou Hervé Fall (treasurer), Félicité Salzman (2nd treasurer), Aliou Doumbouya (Communication member) and two advisors: Jan de Bosch Kemper (general) and Honorine Fall (accounts).
III. Friends of the Kemper Foundation
The list of Friends of the Foundation now includes around fifty families. Friends of the Foundation in the Netherlands have received a special newsletter about the Foundation and its activities. In France, friends collected an amount of 590 euros in 2022; in the Netherlands it was 549 euros. This represents a total of 1,139 euros from all the friends of the Kemper Foundation.
IV. P.R. activities
– Newsletter: the Foundation Newsletter was published twice in 2022.
– Kemper Foundation website: maintained by the treasurer.
V. Organization and board of directors Kemper Foundation
The board of directors of the Kemper Foundation met on October 9 for the annual meeting in Schilde. Due to high inflation in Senegal, a 10% salary increase for staff was agreed as well as the same increase in pay for volunteers. An amount of 43,330 euros was guaranteed for the 2023 budget presented by AMCRE (this has already been communicated to AMCRE). We noted with gratitude the donation from the municipality of Schilde which was once again obtained thanks to the efforts of Bert, member of the board of directors of the Foundation. Although the exact amount has not yet been announced, we can expect a contribution of around 2000 euros. Kemper Foundation board members Malinda Van Geijtenbeek – de Vos van Steenwijk and Melcher de Bosch Kemper have decided to leave the board in 2022. The candidacy of a new board member , Maaike Smit Sibinga, was approved. On November 10, the Board of Directors officially bid farewell to the former Foundation Treasurer and Public Relations Member, Albert Kuiper, after providing volunteer services to the Kemper Foundation since 2006. On the same occasion, we met Maaike Smit Sibinga. In 2022, President Carla and Foundation Board Member Jan visited Pete and Cherif Lo. Carla, accompanied by secretary Wilma and guest Els Labberton, undertook a mission to Gandiaye, then to Ndondol, Diarère and Pikine. Secretary Wilma and board member Jan attended an AMCRE board meeting in May 2022.
VI. FINANCIAL REVIEW 2022
1. the Kemper Fund
The year 2022 brought a significant loss on the financial markets due to various interest rate increases and the war in Ukraine, which was also unfavorable for the development of the Kemper Fund.
For example, the value of the Kemper Fund on January 1, 2022 was still €482,606.77 and on December 31, 2022 the value had fallen to €405,801.13. Please note that the Kemper Foundation transferred €25,000 from the Kemper Fund to its current account to pay for current projects.
2. Overview of the ABN/AMRO Kemper account
Balance on January 1, 2022 in € 20,942.38
Revenue in €
Contribution GROS SCHILDE 2,495.00
Contribution from the Kemper Fund 25,000.00
RKWO donation 7,500.00
Donation to friends Kemper Foundation 1,139.00
Total income 57,076.38
Expenditure in €
AMCRE declarations 32,933.00
Chamber of Commerce Fee 40.00
Website costs 198.44
Bank and transfer fees 211.85
Book purchase 81.60
Total expenses 33,464.89
Balance as of December 31, 2022 23,611.49