Rise Up Project Profile-Central Asia
Central Asia: A New Ministry to the Deaf Community
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in Central Asia. One of the reasons for this is a lack of swimming programs countrywide. The problem among women is even more amplified. Throughout Central Asia, it is estimated that 79 percent of men and 31 percent of women can swim, but that number is exaggerated by income inequalities or physical disabilities. In our region of Central Asia, the number is estimated to be closer to 50 percent of men and 10 percent of women that can swim. This means that many parents cannot teach their children how to swim and don’t have even a basic knowledge of water safety.
Our project aims to teach deaf women and children how to swim. The first phase of our project has already begun. Spring 2023, we are teaching 10 Deaf women how to swim, to rescue actively drowning victims, and to provide first aid for drowning victims. The second phase of the project will involve teaching Deaf children how to swim at a week-long camp in summer 2023. The same women who were a part of the first class will help us supervise and assist swimming instruction at the camp. There will be refresher courses offered twice throughout the year for the camp participants. Fall 2023, we will teach another group of 10 Deaf women how to swim. We will utilize some of the original participants as assistants to our swimming instructors.
Quality swimming instruction is both a need here and a priority for our organization. However, our purpose is not just swimming education. One percent of Deaf people within Central Asia are Christian adherent, but in the northern region, there are no known believers among the Deaf population. Our hope and aim are that this project will allow us to spend more time with and go deeper in relationship with the Deaf community to show them the love of the Savior. We foresee this project allowing us intentional time with Deaf women and children, as well as the families of those children—many of whom live in regional areas where there is no local church and essentially no gospel access.
The funds will be used for pool rental, the hiring of believing instructors and a believing project administrator/translator, first aid and CPR trainings, and transportation for participants from the regions outside of the city. The adult classes are comprised of two months of classes and a first aid and CPR training. The children’s classes will begin at a week-long camp intensive. After the camp, two additional four-week refresher courses in fall 2023, two refresher courses in spring 2024, and parents’ first aid and CPR trainings will be offered. The cost of transportation from the regions to the pool is prohibitive for most families, and a closer pool is not available. Helping parents and their children come in from the regions will allow us extended time with the parents during class time and trainings. At least one AM worker, and ideally a local partner, will be present and asking the Lord for good conversations with the parents of our participants.
Please pray that the Lord will use this project to grow His Kingdom among the Deaf of Central Asia. Through our Sign Language Education Project, we have spent considerable time in building trust with the Deaf community. We hope that this project will allow us to further press into relationship and share more fully about the Savior. The local word for “lifeguard” is the same word that they use for “savior.” Please pray that as the women and children in this project learn about “lifeguarding,” they will learn about the true “Lifeguard” of their souls. Philippians 3:20–21 says: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Alliance Women has set a goal to raise $8,000 for the start-up of this ministry to the Deaf community in Central Asia. Please visit www.alliancewomen.org/give to participate.
