Meet Andrew

Andrew Foster was born on June 27, 1925, in Alabama. As a young boy, he loved learning and dreamed of helping other people. He never imagined that one day he would change the lives of thousands of Deaf children around the world.

When Andrew was 11 years old, he became deaf after getting spinal meningitis. Life became much more difficult, but Andrew refused to give up. Instead, he worked even harder to achieve his dreams.

A Life-Changing Event

Never Give Up

Andrew wanted to attend college, but many schools refused to accept Deaf students. He kept trying until Gallaudet College welcomed him. In 1954, he became the first Black Deaf person to earn a bachelor's degree from Gallaudet.

A Big Dream

Andrew believed every Deaf child deserved an education. He felt called to travel to Africa to help children who had never been given the chance to go to school.

The First School

In 1957, Andrew opened his first school for Deaf students in Ghana. Many children learned sign language, reading, writing, and important life skills for the very first time.

Traveling Across Africa

Andrew traveled to country after country, often by bus, airplane, and even on rough roads. He worked tirelessly to open schools for Deaf children wherever they were needed.

During his lifetime, Andrew helped establish more than 30 schools for Deaf students in 13 African countries. Thousands of children finally had the opportunity to receive an education.

A Great Teacher

Andrew did more than build schools. He trained teachers, encouraged families, and inspired Deaf children to believe they could accomplish great things.