Thanks to Jamie Berke who discovered a rare gem today: a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant is run by 30 deaf Pakistanis in Pakistan (although it is managed by two people who are not deaf).

This is such a bright news to see coming out of Pakistan: deaf people fully capable and self-sufficient to run a busy KFC restaurant somewhere in Pakistan. I'm guessing it may be in the capital of Pakistan - Islamabad, as there are about 40 KFC outlets throughout the country (SOURCE). What else do I know? I've never been to the country, let alone ever meeting one deaf Pakistani.

Kudos to the KFC Corporation and Family Educational Services Foudnation for showing their willingness to employ, train and help deaf people to become thriving, productive workers in a society that shuns and oppress deaf people, especially a country like Pakistan.

I recall few years back there was a deaf woman who's an assistant manager of a McDonald restaurant in the American south. She was interviewed in a newspaper article about her can-do attitude and positive abilities to perform as a deaf assistant manager in a fast-paced environment.

EDIT: Fixed a broken link.

UPDATE ~ 1.16.2007: A man named Richard Geary posted new information about the deaf Pakistans running the KFC restaurants, read below:

Just to clarify for the above posters, there are now 3 KFC outlets in Pakistan run primarily by the Deaf:

1 in Karachi in Gulshan Iqbal,
a 2nd in Lahore on the Mall Road,
and a 3rd in Rawalpindi.

Each restaurant is staffed by the deaf, with one hearing manager on duty for customer assistance.

Our organization, Family Educational Services Foundation, assisted in organizing this project in collaboration with KFC. We are running a school and training center here for deaf children and adults called “Deaf Reach Training Center.” The majority of the employees at KFC come from our Center.

This project has had wonderful results in 2 areas: First, it has provided employment for nearly 100 young deaf adults. It is extremely difficult for the Deaf to find employment in Pakistan, so this has been a great opportunity.

Secondly, it has created a good deal of public awareness of the needs of the Deaf. Again fulfilling a big need in this country.

We have recently launched a new Job Opportunity program with a large local pharmaceutical company, in which they will also employ deaf people. This likewise has great scope to provide opportunities for the Deaf to succeed.

I hope this serves to clarify any questions or misunderstandings, and please feel free to write to me with any further questions.

Sincerely,
Richard Geary
Project Director
FESF
www.fesfpk.org

SOURCE - click on the Comments link next to the date.

This is a great opportunity for many deaf Pakistanis to enrich their lives, a big thanks to the Family Educational Services Foundation in Pakistan. Cheers.