Challenge
All the social challenges facing South Africa's 2 million Deaf citizens, from unemployment to marginalization, stem from the lack of recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as an official language. Deaf education standards fall far behind hearing schools and drop-out rates are high. Almost 80% of Deaf adults are unemployed, locked out of the economy, and surviving on social grants and family support.
Description
I Love Coffee does not have a minimum education or literacy entry level. We recognise SASL as an official language and all training and most of our internal communication is given in SASL. We use barista training to teach work ethic, build confidence, and prepare for job readiness. We also train a variety of communication skills to assist our staff to function in a hearing workplace. We encourage staff to identify their own career paths and help them to follow them.
Outcomes
Our direct beneficiaries are unemployed Deaf black youth. We have a proven business model that leads them out of dependency to dignity and integration. Within 3 months they develop the skills and self-awareness to grow in the organisation or explore further work or study opportunities with newfound confidence and life experience. Our secondary beneficiaries are their immediate families who no longer have to support an unemployed member of the family.
