What We Do
At the DeSanto Centre for the Deaf, we step into lives shaped by silence, poverty, and stigma, and help change their direction. Many of our students arrive having never learned language, never attended school, and never been seen as capable simply because they are deaf. Here, they learn to communicate, to learn, and to imagine a future beyond survival.
Through our school and community outreach programs, we are building something that has never existed in this region before: a Deaf community in Livingstone where deaf children and their families are seen, supported, and connected.
Through sign-language-based education, family engagement, and a safe, nurturing school environment that removes financial barriers, Deaf children and young adults gain the tools to participate fully in their families, their communities, and their own futures. This is where Deaf children find their voice, their belonging, and the possibility of a different life.
Removing Barriers to Education
We believe every child deserves access to education—regardless of financial circumstances or distance from school. To ensure that no barrier stands in the way of a child’s right to learn, we provide a free, high-quality education, safe transportation to and from school, and two nutritious meals each day.
Students receive all necessary uniforms and supplies, allowing them to focus on their education without worrying about basic needs. Removing these obstacles creates a learning environment where deaf children can thrive, build confidence, and prepare for a brighter future.
ZSL and ASL as the Foundation for Learning
At the DeSanto Centre for the Deaf, sign language is the foundation of everything we do. All teachers are fluent in both Zambian Sign Language (ZSL) and American Sign Language (ASL), and all academic instruction is delivered through sign language. Most children arrive having had little or no access to formal language, so learning to communicate clearly and confidently is the first and most essential step in their education.
Students begin by learning the fundamentals of sign language, building vocabulary and basic sentence structure. As they progress, instruction expands to include the signs needed for abstract reasoning, critical thinking, and self-expression across all subjects. This ensures that students are not only learning content, but are fully able to express ideas, ask questions, and engage deeply with their education.
Recognizing that communication does not stop at the classroom door, the Centre also offers sign language classes for parents and family members. By equipping families with the tools to communicate with their children, we help strengthen relationships, reduce isolation, and ensure that each child has a supportive and language-rich environment both at school and at home.
Full Academics
The DeSanto Centre for the Deaf provides a full academic program aligned with the national curriculum and advancement requirements established by the Zambian Ministry of Education. This ensures that Deaf students receive the same rigorous academic foundation as their hearing peers and are fully prepared to progress through Zambia’s education system.
Instruction includes reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science, all taught through accessible sign language-based instruction. With language access firmly in place, students are able to engage with academic content, build critical thinking skills, and demonstrate mastery at each grade level. As a result, the Centre has achieved 100% advancement from grade to grade, and 100% of graduates qualify to advance to secondary school.
Nutritional Meals
At DeSanto Centre for the Deaf, nutrition is not a support service. It is a core academic strategy.
We provide every student with two nutritious meals each day so their bodies are nourished with the same care as their minds. All of our students come from extreme poverty, and for many, these meals are the only reliable food they receive. Research consistently shows that adequate nutrition directly affects concentration, memory, and the ability to learn. Without it, even the best education cannot succeed.
Nearly 20 percent of our annual budget is dedicated to student meals because we see the results every day. Well-fed students are better able to focus, engage in lessons, and progress academically alongside their hearing peers. Our strong academic outcomes are inseparable from this commitment. Ensuring our students are nourished is not optional. It is fundamental to their education, their health, and their future.
Life Enrichment
Academic achievement is only one measure of a child’s potential.
At DeSanto, we believe that children learn best when their physical, emotional, and social needs are met alongside their academic ones. That is why our approach extends well beyond the classroom, providing nutrition, life skills, family connection, and experiences that build confidence, independence, and belonging.
Beyond academics, we focus on the essential life skills that prepare our students for independence and inclusion in their communities. From hygiene and self-care to problem-solving and empathy, every element of our program is designed to ensure that students have the tools they need to thrive beyond the classroom and lead fulfilling, self-sufficient lives.
Students gain hands-on experience through gardening, meal preparation, organized sports, creative arts, and vocational training, building confidence and practical abilities that serve them throughout their lives.
Many of these activities are deeply rooted in Zambian culture. Cooking traditional dishes together, for instance, is not simply a life skill but a way of belonging, connecting students to their heritage and to each other. In this way, every skill learned at DeSanto carries a deeper purpose: preparing students not just for independence, but for a full and connected life.
The DeSanto Centre for the Deaf extends its mission well beyond the classroom through community outreach, offering workshops for parents, caregivers, and community members. The response has been overwhelming. Families, educators, and even individuals with no prior connection to the Deaf community have come together to learn Zambian Sign Language and new ways to support deaf children.
The impact has been profound. For many children, this was the first time they truly felt understood. Parents shared stories of transformed relationships, where frustration was replaced with communication and isolation was replaced with connection. These workshops are not just about learning a language. They are about building a more inclusive and compassionate future for deaf children.
By raising social awareness, we challenge the stigma surrounding deafness and encourage the broader community to embrace and support Deaf culture. Through collaboration with local organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit partners, we are working toward a Livingstone where deaf individuals can contribute fully and achieve their potential.
Every term, DeSanto students explore the extraordinary world on their doorstep, from the thundering majesty of Victoria Falls and the wildlife of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Game Park to river cruises on the Zambezi and visits to the Livingstone Crocodile Farm.
These experiences are about joy, curiosity, and discovery. They are also quietly transformative for the broader community. In a culture where deaf children are too often absent from public life, our students move through the world with confidence and enthusiasm, dispelling cultural preconceptions.