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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
WHILE most people undertake sign language training for professional purposes, Makara Alice Masawi from Gwanda was motivated by the desire to communicate with her speech and hearing-impaired friends.
At first, she would communicate with her speech and hearing-impaired friends by writing down on a piece of paper. Her friends went on to teach her informal sign language which made it easier for her to communicate with them.
Masawi went a step further to receive formal training in sign language. She first received her training at Leonard Chishery Foundation and also trained under the Sunrise Sign Language Academy.
Masawi said she also attends online sign language training sessions. Her expertise in sign language has seen her interpret during events in Gwanda. Organisations and even Government departments engage her for sign language translations during public gatherings.
“I started learning sign language in 2016 through my friends. I have friends who are speech and hearing-impaired and I used to find it difficult to communicate with them. I took it upon myself to learn sign language. I did my formal training in sign language at Leonard Chishery Foundation and also trained under the Sunrise Sign Language Academy. I’m still undergoing training and I also attend online training at home,” she said.
Masawi added: “I became close to speech and hearing-impaired people as I don’t see any difference between us. They are just human and instead of segregating them we should mix and mingle with them and create long lasting friendships.”
She said while her sign language training journey started off on a personal level, she now wanted to use her skills to remove communication barriers faced by people with disabilities.
Masawi said she was in the process of broadening her knowledge of American sign language as it was the standard version used in most countries. She said it was her desire to become a renowned sign language interpreter.
“When I started learning sign language just to chat with my friends I realised that I could further develop my skills to address communication challenges faced by the hearing and speech impaired. I have been engaged by a number of organisations to do sign language translations during meetings. I intend to enhance my skills by attending more lessons,” she said.
Masawi said people with speech and hearing-impairment continue to be left out because of communication barriers.
“Sign language is one of the 16 official languages in the country and we should make an effort to learn it. We must at least learn the basics,” she said.
Masawi also works with a number of organisations in Gwanda. She is a Gender Equity Social Inclusion champion, Disability Champion, an interpreter with CHASE Disability Foundation and a counsellor with the International Organisation of Migration (IOM). She said she has also assisted the Legal Resource Foundation with some court cases involving the visually and hearing impaired.
Masawi said there was a need for more organisations and Government departments to adopt sign language translation during public meetings and workshops. She said there was also a need for sign language to be taught in schools.
Masawi said there was also a need for communities to be educated on the importance of interacting with people living with people with disabilities. She said it was unfortunate the country still has families that hide their relatives with disabilities.
Online Reporter