Charity Works: Full Circle, A Deaf Student Becomes A Teacher Of Hope

By Sharon Doherty

Most of us can remember a teacher who made a real difference in our lives, someone whose warmth, patience, and sense of humor helped us discover a love of learning. But imagine how much more powerful that connection can be when you are a Deaf child meeting a teacher who is also Deaf, who understands your world and your language completely. Laura is one such teacher.

Her story begins when her parents enrolled her at EEESMA School for the Deaf in 2013, at the tender age of fourteen. Before that, Laura had limited access to formal education. Like so many Deaf children in México, she came from a family with limited financial means, and her only option was to sit silently in a public-school classroom. Her teachers, through no fault of their own, did not know sign language, and her parents had not had the opportunity to learn it either.

For a young child, that meant living in a world with very little communication, a world of isolation and quiet frustration. But Laura’s story takes a hopeful turn. With remarkable perseverance, determination, and a bright, curious mind, Laura began to thrive at EEESMA School for the Deaf. There, for the first time, she could communicate freely in Mexican Sign Language and truly understand what her teachers were teaching. Her hearing teachers, trained in sign language and deeply dedicated, came from places such as Irapuato, México City, and Colima. Together, they created a nurturing environment that allowed Laura and her classmates to succeed. EEESMA became the first school of its kind in the State of Guanajuato, offering Deaf students not only an education but also a sense of belonging and pride in who they are.

After graduating from high school, Laura dreamed of going to university, but that dream came with enormous challenges. Attending classes in person would require a full-time sign language interpreter and tutors to help her navigate complex academic concepts, resources far beyond her family’s reach. Then, unexpectedly, a door opened.

After the pandemic, online education became more common in México. For the first time, Laura could imagine pursuing a degree virtually, with the support of her former teachers and mentors at EEESMA, who offered to interpret and guide her along the way in an EEESMA classroom during school hours. With their help, the support of her family and her own determination, Laura successfully earned her Undergraduate Degree in Education, a remarkable accomplishment.

To understand just how extraordinary this is, it helps to know that according to INEGI, México’s national statistics agency, only about 4.1% of Deaf people in México ever attend higher education. Most face barriers such as a lack of early access to sign language, few Deaf-friendly schools, and minimal educational support. Laura’s achievement stands as a powerful example of what is possible when opportunity, positivity and cooperation come together. Twelve years after her first day at EEESMA, Laura’s life has come full circle. Today, she is a qualified teacher at the very same school where she once sat as a young student, now guiding the youngest children in the primary classroom. Her role is profound: teaching her students Mexican Sign Language, their first language, while helping them learn to read and write in Spanish, their second language.

Most of all, Laura has become an inspiring role model for every child at EEESMA. Her success shows them, and their families, that being Deaf is not a limitation but a source of strength and pride. Through her story, Laura reminds us all that with access to language, education, and love, every Deaf child can grow into a confident, capable adult, a person who not only thrives but helps others do the same.

At EEESMA School for the Deaf, our mission, in addition to providing an academic education in sign language, is to help every Deaf child discover their potential and achieve the level of success they dream of. For some, that dream may be to continue to university; for others, it may mean learning valuable vocational skills offered by EEESMA such as computer technology, woodworking, jewelry making or leather crafting. Whatever their path, each child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a fulfilling future with confidence and pride.

The school relies entirely on grants, donations and fundraising events to support its operations and programs. We hope you will choose to be part of a Deaf child’s life-changing journey.

Learn more about EEESMA Schoolfor the Deaf, located at Umarán 107, and how your support helps open doors for Deaf children. Visit www.eeesma.com