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Gambia: The Deaf And Hard of Hearing Need Help
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FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
14 January 2008
Posted to the web 14 January 2008
Modou Jonga
The deaf and hard of hearing, who are part and parcel of society, definitely need help as was made evident by the utterances of their leaders at their Annual General Meeting.
The Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, on Sunday, 12 January, 2008 held its Annual General Meeting at its Brikama Regional Office.
The President of GADHOH, Mr. Abdoulie Njie, in his welcoming remarks, noted that the AGM marks a milestone for the development of his Association. Mr. NJie commended the Brikama Area Council, Regional Governor's Office and its partners for their support.
He noted that the communities should be sensitised on the plight of its members.
Karamo Sanyang, the Chairman of GADHOH Western Region committee, noted that the Annual General Meeting is the first of its kind and that in the last year GADHOH was able to open a nursery school for deaf children. He noted that twelve pupils were enrolled and that five were transferred to the deaf school at Kanifing. Mr. Sanyang said a plot of land was jointly provided to the GADHOH regional office by the office of the Regional Governor and the Brikama Area Council. On the achievement of GADHOH over the year, Mr. Sanyang said training on Information Technology, English Language and Organisational Development was organized to equip its members with knowledge and skills to effectively manage their affairs.
Speaking further, Mr. Sanyang noted that limited funds has undermined the ability of the branch to carryout its activities, including mobility constraints, in reaching out to deaf people in remote areas in the region. He also revealed that classrooms in the nursery school are less spacious and are thus overcrowded. He noted that students who wanted to register are told to wait as there is limited space, noting that a more spacious and comfortable classroom is needed.
He said unemployment is rife among its members due to the high illiteracy rate amongst them.
While noting GADHOH's desire to establish a training centre for deaf adults, Mr. Sanyang urged parents to register their deaf children in its nursery school. Pointing out the constraints of GADHOH, Mr. Sanyang complained that its members are often isolated and discriminated against in society and lack facilities to access timely and relevant information on television and radio.
He urged the government and its partners to help in making information accessible to them through the provision of sign language interpreters.
While noting that two female students were enrolled to be trained as interpreters, Mr. Sanyang revealed that a website has been opened to enhance GADHOH correspondence.
Meanwhile, dilating on the constraints of the GADHOH, Mr. Sanyang lamended the lack of funds which makes them unable to pay their staff. He noted two teaching members of staff of its regional nursery school have not been paid since November, 2006. Mr. Sanyang noted that the said staff have to rely only on allowances to make ends meet.
On his part, Abdoukabir Drammeh, committee member of GADHOH, revealed that his Association has a total membership of 155, out of which 92 are male while 63 are female; He urged society to change its attitude towards its members. He countered the notion of their inferiority and said they have potentials to excel like the hearing people.
Dilating on the GADHOH regional branch plan for 2008, Alvean Jones, VSO volunteer noted that, they intend to engage in intensive home visits in the western region. They also intend to engage in sign language classes, established a deaf club, training of interpreters, fundraising activities and development, among others.
Speaking at the meeting, Isatou Sanyang, Director of GADHOH Female Wing urged members to engage in learning self-employment skills so as to be self-reliant. She also urged the government and other parastatal bodies to provide opportunities for their voice to be heard.
Mrs. Sanyang noted the resolve of GADHOH to work for the betterment of its members. She urged for the unified and concerted efforts of its members.
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The meeting was chaired by Mr. Lamin Ceesay, Deputy Director of GADHOH.
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