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Sign Language Making a Big Difference in the Lives of the Deaf in Uganda

Sign Language Making a Big Difference in the Lives of the Deaf in Uganda
Bernadine Racoma

A nonprofit, Uganda National Association for the Deaf, endeavors to make a difference in the lives of deaf people in Uganda through sign language. A documentary produced by Channel 4, a British broadcaster, how the life of Patrick Otema, a 15-year old boy who was born deaf was transformed by sign language.

The excerpt from the full documentary, “Unreported World,” was recently released on YouTube this month. It showed how his life was transformed from being mostly isolated in his hut to being an animated, happy young man when he at last was taught to sign.

One of the lucky ones

Patrick Otema’s case was not unusual because a majority of people born deaf in Sub-Saharan Africa did not have access to schools for the deaf and therefore did not learn sign language, according to Kiki King, the journalist that created the documentary. With no other means to communicate with other people, they were trapped in their own little world. But now, with the help of Uganda National Association for the Deaf, changes in the life of Patrick Otema and others like him, are slowly beginning to see some positive changes.

Patrick Otema lives in a remote area in Uganda. He had no access to a school for the deaf; had never learned to sign and was unable to communicate properly with anyone all his life.

Otema is cared for by his father Charles who use the most basic of gestures for Patrick to understand him, such as getting a hoe and digging in the garden. After his work is done, Patrick returns to his hut where he remains alone for the rest of the day.

First sign language school

The Uganda National Association for the Deaf is a nonprofit that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals who are hearing impaired. The video featured sign language teacher Raymond Okkelo who is also deaf. He received intensive training in sign language and teaching and has gone back to his hometown to start the very first sign language school there.

Journalist King observed Patrick Otema’s first day in sign language class. The students were of varying ages. There was a boy aged nine and a woman who was already 80 years old. The journalist was amazed at the transformation in Patrick from the moment he saw others like him follow the signs the teacher was showing them. From being detached and reserved, he was seen smiling broadly as he tried out the signs.

The director of the documentary, Daniel Bogado, posted on Reddit that Otema is still enrolled in the course and showing great progress.

Statistics

According to the World Health Organization, Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest number of children with hearing loss in the world, which is often a result of contracting diseases such as malaria, mumps or measles, which are endemic to the region. Being deaf is also considered a curse in this area of Africa.

The initiative to put up sign language schools in the remote areas of Uganda is undertaken by Uganda National Association for the Deaf and Sign Health UK. They have several proofs of how sign language has made a difference in a deaf person’s life and the video showed how much a conversation can change a person’s outlook.

The full documentary, Unreported World: 15 and Learning to Speak will premiere on November 21, 2014.

Image copyright: wckiw / 123RF Stock Photo

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