Key points:
- Begun in 2020, Yatosha Deaf Ministry has already transformed the lives of more than 600 people in the Tanzania Conference.
- The ministry aims to restore dignity, build confidence, raise awareness and empower parents to understand and communicate with their Deaf children.
- Goals include expanding into new districts, building more training centers and establishing a Deaf school.
A quiet but powerful movement that began in 2020 to respond to the forgotten Deaf community has grown into a ministry that has touched hundreds of lives in Tanzania, reshaped families and inspired the wider United Methodist Church.
Through sign language training, Christian education, health awareness, agriculture programs and home visitation, Yatosha Deaf Ministry has transformed the lives of 626 beneficiaries in the church’s Mwanza and Dar es Salaam districts. Yatosha is Swahili for “enough.”
Each week, 20 to 30 participants gather at First Deaf United Methodist Church at Viwege for fellowship and learning, strengthening both faith and community bonds. The ministry uses a “Teaching, Learning and Sharing” model to provide spiritual guidance and practical skills that empower individuals to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.
At its core, Yatosha Deaf Ministry is about restoring dignity, building confidence and empowering parents to understand and communicate with their Deaf children.
The Rev. Isaya Mwita Matiku, the first Deaf ordained pastor in the Tanzania Conference and a beneficiary of the program, described how Yatosha changed his life.
“Before I discovered sign language and Deaf fellowship, I lived without clear communication or direction. After joining in 2022, I gained language, faith and purpose,” he said.
“Through mentorship and support, I responded to God’s call, and today I serve as a pastor.”
Matiku now leads others, teaches the Gospel and visits Deaf students in schools. His role is both pastoral and inspirational, guiding young beneficiaries and showing them what is possible.
“One powerful experience was seeing Deaf believers being baptized and worshipping together for the first time,” he said. “My hope is to see more Deaf leaders raised and more churches established for Deaf people across Tanzania.”
Yatosha Deaf Ministry has plans to expand its impact by building Yatosha Deaf School in Sengerema, which would accommodate 300 students. The goal is to raise $625,000 for the project. So far, planners have raised $37,700 and secured additional pledges totaling $62,759.
Tanzania’s Deaf ministry has grown through the support of partners including the United Methodist Committee on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries, which is funded by Global Ministries; Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas; Lighthouse Fellowship United Methodist Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania; United Women in Faith; and a number of individuals, including retired Bishop Peggy Johnson. Together, they have invested financial resources and a vision of inclusion, justice and hope for Deaf individuals across Tanzania.
How to help
Deaf student Elizabeth Zacharia said her life was difficult before joining Yatosha Deaf Ministry.
“I could not communicate well with my family or teachers,” she said. “I often felt alone. After joining the program, I learned sign language, which changed my daily life. Now I can express myself, understand others and participate in school activities with confidence.”
Zacharia’s journey reflects the ministry’s impact at the grassroots level. She now dreams of becoming a teacher for Deaf children, inspired by the support she has received.
“My family understands me better, and we communicate more easily,” she said. “I feel included in the church and community. My dream is to continue my education and become a teacher for Deaf children so that I can help others like me.”
The Rev. Isaka Ibrahim, superintendent of the Dar es Salaam District, explained that Yatosha was motivated by the need to respond to the Deaf community, continuing a vision initiated by the late Rev. Levi Nyasinde to initiate such a ministry in his home conference. In 2020, the ministry was revived with renewed energy and purpose.
Ibrahim said that the ministry has had impacts both spiritually and socially.
“We measure success through transformed lives,” he said, citing the Rev. Matiku as an example.
“At the same time, young students like Elizabeth now access education, communication skills and confidence through sign language and school support.”
He also acknowledged the challenge of limited resources, stigma and few trained interpreters. Yet, through partnerships and training, the ministry continues to respond. Plans are underway to expand into new districts, build more centers and strengthen education through land acquisition, school construction and training programs.
“This holistic investment impacts not only individuals but (also) entire families, creating ripple effects of transformation across communities,” Ibrahim said.
The Rev. Weekend Juma, a community member and legal representative of Bishop Mande Muyombo, described the ministry’s significance. Muyombo leads the North Katanga Episcopal Area, which includes the Tanzania Conference.
“Yatosha Deaf Ministry is vital to the mission of The United Methodist Church in Tanzania because it reflects Christ’s call to inclusion, justice and love for all people,” Juma said. “The ministry ensures that Deaf individuals are not left behind but are fully included in the life of the church.”
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This vision reflects a long-term commitment to creating spaces where Deaf individuals are both welcomed and empowered to lead.
Juma, whose son is Deaf, highlighted the ministry’s impact on families.
“Before, many parents did not know how to communicate with their Deaf children, leading to frustration and isolation. Now, through sign language training and regular visits, families are more connected and understanding.”
Juma stressed that the ministry supports growth at all levels — from children gaining confidence to adults becoming leaders.
“The church plays a big role by providing spiritual guidance, training and a place of belonging. The program has reduced stigma and encouraged inclusion,” he said. “My message to other parents is to support and educate your Deaf children. This ministry is shaping a community where everyone is valued and included.”
Rashid is director of the Tanzania Conference’s Yatosha Deaf Ministry. Chingwe is a communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at [email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free UM News Digest.
