The majority of Deaf students are integrated into hearing classrooms with little or no signing. They believe that clear communication will provide them access to a better life. Because of this, there is a desire for schools to be conducted in Panamanian Sign Language or the provision of educational interpreters. There is also a great need for interpreters in other public services such as courts, hospitals, media, etc. Currently, interpreters are hard to find in Panama and they are unaffordable to Deaf Panamanians.
Panama is predominantly Roman Catholic, with a significant Evangelical minority. The Deaf usually attend church with their families, but due to their communication limitations, they only understand so much.
The greatest needs mentioned in the Deaf community are for more Panamanian Sign Language publications and access to better education for Deaf people. There is also a need to train parents on how to support their Deaf children.
Deaf Panamanians often feel oppressed and discriminated against. Disability laws have been made, but they have not assisted the Panamanian Deaf community as much as they have benefited other disabled groups. Many Deaf Panamanians are unaware of the opportunities they are missing due to a lack of communication and knowledge about the hearing world around them. Deaf people want the opportunity to learn and become independent.
It is difficult for Deaf Panamanians to find jobs unless they are literate in Spanish and able to voice. Most often, they work in factories where communication is not required. Religion of any sort does not appear to be adhered to by many Deaf Panamanians. Deaf people socialize mostly on weekends in local malls or central parks. Panama City and David have the largest Deaf communities. There is a fair amount of interaction between Deaf people in Costa Rica, the USA, and Panama, which gives reason to the idea that Panamanian Sign Language is related to Costa Rican Sign Language and American Sign Language. An interesting note is that the Deaf community in Chiriquí province believes they are culturally and linguistically distinct from the rest of Panama.
Pray for the Lord to prepare and send out Deaf workers to the Deaf in Panama.
Ask God to provide worship services in sign language in Panama.
Pray for interpreters who love and relate to the Deaf.
Pray for the Deaf in Panama to hunger for spiritual truth and find it in Jesus.
Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Panama.
Anonymous
Deaf in Peru
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19007/PE
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
