NF Trust celebrates international day of sign languages
September 27, 2022
Promise Dube and Nomvula Ncube
Choice News Africa
Gwanda –Nkomwa Foundation Trust (NFT) joins the entire world in celebrating the International Day of Sign Languages under the theme, ‘Sign languages unite us’ at a colourful event that was held in the capital of Matabeleland South capital Gwanda.
The 23 September is celebrated worldwide as the International Day of Sign languages. This day has been celebrated since 2018, in Zimbabwe.
Deafness is the result of damage to any part of the ear and the degree of hearing, loss depends on the severity of that damage. The implications of hearing loss vary from person to person and is related to the individual’s circumstances.
“Access to services is a common barrier faced daily by many deaf people. On this International Day of Sign Languages, we celebrate, recognize and promote the different national sign languages around the world. Together we sign onto a declaration of support for sign languages as an essential human right for deaf people, and sign for human rights!” said NFT Director Pick Nkomwa.
Deafness can be seen as communication impairment rather than merely loss of sound perception. Therefore it affects all personal social, educational and business situations. The World Deaf Federation estimates that about 80 000 people in Zimbabwe suffer from hearing impairments and the justice system, healthcare and economic development have been inaccessible to them.
Persons with disabilities are real advocates of their life. As the way of celebrating and recognising this day, the NFT look back at the impact of their efforts to deaf people. The NFT has managed to provide life skills to five deaf young people pursuing vocational training course in clothing technology, metal fabrication, hairdressing and cosmetology at Jairos Jiri Vocational Training Institute in Bulawayo. Further, the organisation is supporting 10 deaf learners across the schools in Matabeleland South Province.
Zimbabwe, through Constitution amendment (No 20) act of 2013, acknowledges that the nation has 16 officially recognised languages and Sign language is one of these languages. In line with Government thrust of leaving no one behind, NFT has made great strides in bridging the communication gap in capacitating the communities, the deaf, caregivers, traditional leaders, Councillors, Civil society organisations, Government officials and high learning institutions lecturers with basic sign language skills.
According to Nkomwa Foundation founder, to date, more than two thousand people were capacitated during the period January 2022 to July 2022. This was made possible with support from Sunrise Sign Language Academy and ALASO Academy.