DEAF org. HISTORY
Dumaguete Effata Association of the Deaf or D.E.A.F. was established on March 31, 2002 after a Holy Week Retreat in Bacong, Negros Oriental facilitated by Rev. Fr. Raul Ragay with Br. Dennis Libarnes of the Gualandi Mission for the Deaf along with Deaf leaders from Cebu.
Two years later, on November 8, 2004, DEAF's application for SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) was approved. Becoming a civic group, Deaf remains linked to the church through the DEAF Apostolic Circle (DAC), the sector of the organization which functions for the evangelization of other Deaf persons by facilitating Catechism classes, assisting in organizing retreats and/or sending Deaf to join retreats hosted by other Deaf organizations elsewhere; and by assisting in the interpreting responsibilities every Sunday for the Holy Eucharist.
On April 12, 2008 after another spiritual retreat facilitated yet again by the Gualandi Mission for the Deaf, the organization formally added various sectors namely (click here).
DEAF, Inc. is the first official and only formal organization of the Deaf in Negros Oriental which aims to cater to the socio-cultural needs of the Deaf in the province, and is a member of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, the largest governing body of all Deaf organizations in the country.
Objective
- To educate the Deaf about Filipino Sign Language, Deaf awareness and advocay through workshops, trainings and seminars.
To encourage D.E.A.F. members to develop spirituality through catechism classes, retreats, and the efforts of the Deaf Apostolic Circle,
To develop social interaction between the Deaf through sports activities, camps, excursions, trainings, livelihoods and related programs.
