Ministry team moves forward on hearing project in Kenya

(Photo courtesy Africa Inland Mission)

Kenya (MNN) ― Treating hearing loss for children is complicated in countries that have access to the newest technologies, but imagine how much bigger the challenge is in developing nations.

In sub-Saharan Africa, over 102 million children aged 5-14 suffer from moderate to severe hearing loss. In Kenya, of the approximately 13,000 children currently in deaf schools, more than 5,000 are believed to have correctable hearing loss.

If the loss goes untreated, the prospects for these children are bleak. That's why Dr. Thomas Boeve, an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, and his wife Jolene, a nurse and Audiology Technician, began a full-time ENT and Audiology Department at Kijabe Hospital where they serve through Africa Inland Mission. Their goal is early detection of hearing loss, and age and disease appropriate treatment to correct the disability.

They also helped establish the Ears to Hear project to provide quality solar-powered hearing aids and to develop a state-of-the-art testing and treatment facility in Kijabe. When fully funded, this facility will bring lifelong benefit to some of the poorest people in the world, reaching far into sub-Saharan Africa.

The facility is $66,470 away from that goal. 

However, the building project is in progress. Plans have been drawn up and discussed. The team is looking forward to an expansion of three more rooms and a quiet audiology room to add to the ENT clinic.

Their mission, aside from assisting persons with hearing loss and helping to correct the disability, is to share the love of Christ and the Word of God with their patients. Says Jolene, "It is pure joy to see the first smile on a child's face after putting a hearing aid on them."