Organization: JUNIORS AND CHILD CARE FOUNDATION(JACCAFO)
Title: Hear to Learn: Preventing Early Hearing Loss among Children with Disabilities
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
Hear to learn: preventing early hearing loss among children with disabilities
Description:
In commemoration of World Hearing Day 2026, the Juniors and Child Care Foundation (JACCAFO) launched the “Hear to Learn” initiative at Somanda “A” Primary School in the Simiyu Region of Tanzania. This initiative aligned with the global theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: hearing Care for All Children.”
The main goal of the project was to raise awareness about ear and hearing health, promote early identification of hearing challenges among school children, and enhance community knowledge about preventing hearing loss. Rural communities often have limited access to ear and hearing care services, resulting in many children with hearing difficulties going undiagnosed. Therefore, the “Hear to Learn” initiative focused on delivering essential hearing care information directly to schools and communities. This approach ensured that children, parents, teachers, and community members understood the importance of hearing health.
Primary site: AFR – NonMember / Tanzania, United Republic Of
Region: AFR
Impactful Story:
A teacher from Somanda “A” Primary School, speaking on behalf of fellow teachers, explained that the training received during World Hearing Day provided them with a deeper understanding of the importance of ear health for school’s children.
“The training we received during World Hearing Day helped us understand how sound travels through the ear and how hearing can be affected. As teachers, we are now more aware and able to identify students with hearing difficulties early, allowing us to help them get the support they need,” Teacher Mgendi said.
General Photos
A radio awareness program was conducted at Bariadi FM.
Teacher Training: Utilizing the hearWHO App
Basic hearing screening activities were conducted
Students received education on ear care
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: persons with disabilities (including hearing loss), children and adolescents, older adults, rural or remote population
Met with individual policymaker: Yes
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: No