Young Life Chile, Breaking the Silence
Chile
Over 2,000 deaf teenagers in Chile long to be known, understood, and loved in the language of their hearts. Young Life is ready.
More than 2,000 school-aged deaf children in Chile face barriers that extend far beyond hearing loss. Many experience isolation, limited educational opportunities, and little access to the Gospel in their own language. To hire a part time staff member to oversee the deaf ministry in Chile, provide leader training in Chilean Sign Language and deaf culture, and to offer 20 scholarships and transportation to YL camp for deaf students. Your vote will help Young Life create a place where deaf teenagers are fully welcomed through caring relationships as part of a Chilean Sign Language bilingual community, and the life-changing hope of Jesus.
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The opportunity
Imagine growing up surrounded by people you love but rarely being able to communicate with them. For many deaf teenagers in Chile, that is everyday life. While their hearing peers naturally build friendships, join activities, and explore faith, many deaf young people face barriers that leave them isolated.
More than 2,000 school-aged deaf children live in Chile, and more than 95% of them are born into hearing families who do not know Chilean Sign Language, creating profound communication barriers from childhood. The overwhelming majority have never experienced an inclusive community where they can fully participate. Many students also face learning barriers, functional illiteracy, social isolation, depression, financial hardship, and transportation challenges that prevent their invitation and participation in extracurricular activities.
Less than 1% of Christian communities in Chile are accessible to deaf people, leaving thousands of young people without the opportunity to fully understand the Gospel in their own language. Young Life Chile began in 2007 and in 2024 the ministry to deaf students emerged. Leaders and staff enter the world of young people, building trust, and walking alongside them. Through this proposal we can equip more trained leaders who know Chilean Sign Language to invite kids to friendship and community. Together, we can transform loneliness into belonging and isolation into hope, reaching young people who have never heard the Gospel.
The plan
To hire a part time staff member to oversee the deaf ministry in Chile, provide leader training in Chilean Sign Language and deaf culture, and to offer 20 scholarships and transportation to YL camp for deaf students.
Expected outcomes
- Two bilingual, inclusive Young Life clubs for deaf students will begin in 2027.
- 8–10 new leaders (both deaf and hearing) will be trained in Chilean Sign Language and inclusive ministry.
- 20 deaf students will attend Young Life camp through scholarships.
- Families will experience greater connection as communication barriers begin to give way to deeper relationships and shared hope.
“Young Life Chile is breaking the silence and indifference by building a place where deaf teens are heard, valued, and loved in a language they can fully understand.”
Vote for Young Life Chile and help deaf teenagers be known, understood, and loved in an inclusive community built for them to experience the Gospel.