LeaMcD Educational Service for Deaf Ethiopians was an International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded by US citizens Neal and Rebekah Payne (Becki Leach McDonald) for the sole objective of providing free quality education service for the Deaf in Ethiopia. Rebekah (Becki) spent much of her young adult life in Ethiopia with her first husband, Carl McDonald (now deceased, who held a MA degree in Deaf Education), and with her parents. Her father, Lyle Leach, was director of the Church of Christ Mission in Ethiopia (1971-1975), which pioneered the first school for the Deaf in the country, now called Mekanissa School for the Deaf.
During her youth, Rebekah (Becki) worked at the Mekanissa School for the Deaf until she was compelled to leave the country due to the tragic death of her parents and the hostile attitude of the Derg Regime. Another tragedy occurred when, after some time of mourning for her parents, Rebekah and her first husband, Carl McDonald (now deceased), were prevented from returning to their work at the Mekanissa Deaf School due to closely held secrets of rapes done on Deaf students by the Deaf school director and a few teachers while Carl and Becki were in America.
Years later when Rebekah returned to visit Ethiopia she discovered that the educational needs of many Deaf were still not met. The dropout and repeating rate of Deaf students were extreme. Rebekah with the support of Neal Payne (Rebekah’s second husband) determined to continue from where she left and founded LeaMcD Educational Services for Deaf of Ethiopia. As a couple, Neal, and Rebekah had a God given vision for the Deaf in Ethiopia. Their desire was to bless the Deaf in Ethiopia with spiritual, educational, and other needs as God directed. For years, LeaMcD solely funded by Neal, Rebekah and later joined by Covenant Transport Company/USA.
LeaMcD Educational Services for the Deaf of Ethiopia legally registered in 2005 was working in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Education to improve education for the Deaf. The Ministry of Justice legally licensed LeaMcD from Charities and Societies agencies to provide Deaf education at the first and second cycle, and general high school, preparatory, and college level. For a total of 11 years, LeaMcD was working with Addis Ababa Education Bureau to tutor an annual daily average of 100 Deaf second cycle (5-8th) and high school and preparatory students (9-12th) An annual average of 100 Deaf students attended LeaMcD tutorial classes Monday through Friday prior to establishing the Deaf high school. In addition, LeaMcD offered several other vital programs for the Deaf community including job placements and older Deaf adult education.
LeaMcD had amazing success in the country’s Deaf Education History, in that over 90% of 8th-grade Deaf students passed the national exam. On the other hand, LeaMcD was accredited fully second-cycle primary (5-8th) and general secondary school (9-10th) for the Deaf, where it prepared Deaf students for college and tertiary education, and also, later, a mandate was given by the Government of Ethiopia to open a teacher training college.
During those unusual years, Neal was in America, and Rebekah was living in Ethiopia most of the time. The Love Letters between Neal and Rebekah from 2001 through 2011 can attest to the beauty of sweet love between a married couple while simultaneously being obedient to God’s assignment for them to bless the Deaf of Ethiopia. Even though at times, it seemed impossible and obstacles insurmountable, they determined unreservedly to continue to serve the Deaf with their hearts, minds, and sacrificed nearly all of their personal finances.
Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties and other challenging obstacles, LeaMcD was forced to close its doors in 2012, but not without future hope and a promise to one day return in order to permanently conquer past overwhelming challenges. With the aid of other interested stakeholders, LeaMcD has every intention to reach its attainable goals for the sake of Deaf education and equal opportunities for all Deaf in Ethiopia and for the Glory of God.