FMMFMMFederation of the Deaf in Federation of the Deaf in

MadagascarMadagascar

The situation in The situation in MadagascarMadagascar

Population in Madagascar = 19 million Population in Madagascar = 19 million people – appr. 1 % of this number are deaf people – appr. 1 % of this number are deaf (appr.190000)(appr.190000)

Only appr. 2000 deaf people are registered Only appr. 2000 deaf people are registered in the schools and/or associationsin the schools and/or associations

Many deaf people live in isolation, extreme Many deaf people live in isolation, extreme poverty, no access into schoolpoverty, no access into school

FMM chronicleFMM chronicle

1950: 1st school for the deaf in Madagascar, by 1950: 1st school for the deaf in Madagascar, by Pastor Erick BPastor Erick Børgenvik (Norwegian Mission).ørgenvik (Norwegian Mission).

FMM chronicleFMM chronicle 1962: 1st association of the deaf in Madagascar 1962: 1st association of the deaf in Madagascar

(FMSM): no donnor, no effective project.(FMSM): no donnor, no effective project.

FMM chronicleFMM chronicle 2004: establishement of the Federation of the 2004: establishement of the Federation of the

Deaf in Madagascar (FMM). Deaf in Madagascar (FMM).

Donnor: Norwegian Association of the Deaf Donnor: Norwegian Association of the Deaf (NDF)(NDF)

The FMM projectThe FMM project GOAL: to improve living conditions for deaf in GOAL: to improve living conditions for deaf in

MadagascarMadagascar Donor = the Norwegian Association of the deafDonor = the Norwegian Association of the deaf Implementation of the 3 years action plan Implementation of the 3 years action plan

2007-2009 (Deaf Action in Madagascar, DAM)2007-2009 (Deaf Action in Madagascar, DAM) Main project activities:Main project activities:

Interpreter educationInterpreter education Production of Sign Language BookProduction of Sign Language Book at Madagascar at Madagascar The organization FMM The organization FMM (lobbying, training, (lobbying, training,

awareness raising, networking, capacity building awareness raising, networking, capacity building etc)etc)

Main project activityMain project activity

Iterpreter EducationIterpreter Education

Sign language bookSign language book

Lobbying and organizationLobbying and organization

The FMM projectThe FMM project PURPOSE: to improve living PURPOSE: to improve living

conditions for deaf in Madagascarconditions for deaf in Madagascar DURATION: 2006 - 2009DURATION: 2006 - 2009 MEAN: the action plan 2007-2009 MEAN: the action plan 2007-2009

(Deaf Action in Madagascar, DAM)(Deaf Action in Madagascar, DAM) BUDGET: approx. 50 000 USD per BUDGET: approx. 50 000 USD per

yearyear COOPERATION: local stakeholdersCOOPERATION: local stakeholders

Problem situation for Problem situation for deafdeaf

Poor living conditionsPoor living conditions unaware of their human rightsunaware of their human rights Stigmatization and isolationStigmatization and isolation No access to public schoolsNo access to public schools Only 8 deaf schools (Church and Only 8 deaf schools (Church and

private)private) Scarcity of interpreters (only 5 Scarcity of interpreters (only 5

interpreters)interpreters) Absence of Sign Language bookAbsence of Sign Language book

FMM activitiesFMM activities To educate 13 interpreters in 2007, and To educate 13 interpreters in 2007, and

continue to educate 20 more interpreters in continue to educate 20 more interpreters in 2008 2008

To produce the first sign language book in To produce the first sign language book in 20072007

To lobby government in deaf rights (access to To lobby government in deaf rights (access to public services, e.g. education)public services, e.g. education)

Lobby government to take responsibility of the Lobby government to take responsibility of the interpreter situation (interpreters = a interpreter situation (interpreters = a profession)profession)

Awareness raising about deafness, in civil Awareness raising about deafness, in civil society (e.g. news interpreted on TV)society (e.g. news interpreted on TV)

The 1st results at this The 1st results at this timetime

13 deaf clubs (7 before) with 250 members13 deaf clubs (7 before) with 250 members The 1st video supportThe 1st video support

for malagasy sign languagefor malagasy sign language Interpreted newsInterpreted news

on National TVon National TV

14 new interpreters14 new interpreters The FMM is recognized by the local NGOs The FMM is recognized by the local NGOs

as a minority group organizationas a minority group organization

The organization FMMThe organization FMM

One General Secretary (full time)One General Secretary (full time) One assistant (full time)One assistant (full time) Two project leaders (that originally Two project leaders (that originally

work as teachers in deaf schools)work as teachers in deaf schools) One treasurer and one accountant One treasurer and one accountant A board consisting of members from A board consisting of members from

the 12 deaf clubs in the regionsthe 12 deaf clubs in the regions Meetings and seminars during the yearMeetings and seminars during the year

It is a challenge!It is a challenge!

To fight for the rights of deaf people in To fight for the rights of deaf people in Madagascar in the futureMadagascar in the future

The future is a challenge: lack of money The future is a challenge: lack of money and supportand support

FMM hope to makeFMM hope to make

a difference!a difference!