A longer version of this blog (with background information about the project) was posted on Limping Chicken 19th April 2018:
Lamin is one of the community interpreters we sponsor, and last Friday he was interpreting with the Gambia Deaf Women’s group for their fourth anniversary celebration, as they had also invited hearing guests to their celebration.
We were meeting at Tulyaka Signs, Gambia’s first Deaf / signing restaurant, where all the staff are Deaf and use Gambian Sign Language (GSL). (Tulyaka means “can’t hear” in the local Mandinka language.)
As part of their celebration they had awards, for the longest serving member, most active members, etc. And then, whilst Lamin was interpreting, they announced the award for the “best interpreter”. And luckily I caught it all on film.
Lamin is one of the community interpreters we sponsor, and last Friday he was interpreting with the Gambia Deaf Women’s group for their fourth anniversary celebration, as they had also invited hearing guests to their celebration.
We were meeting at Tulyaka Signs, Gambia’s first Deaf / signing restaurant, where all the staff are Deaf and use Gambian Sign Language (GSL). (Tulyaka means “can’t hear” in the local Mandinka language.)
As part of their celebration they had awards, for the longest serving member, most active members, etc. And then, whilst Lamin was interpreting, they announced the award for the “best interpreter”. And luckily I caught it all on film.
Transcript of the video - taken from Lamin's interpretation into English:
"Fanta is here to hand over the prizes. And the most active member of the Women’s Group from 2017 to 2018 is Adabi Punjaba, she’s the most active member. The best interpreter, Lamin Sonko! Wow ..."
"Fanta is here to hand over the prizes. And the most active member of the Women’s Group from 2017 to 2018 is Adabi Punjaba, she’s the most active member. The best interpreter, Lamin Sonko! Wow ..."
And in one video are all the reasons why this project is so important.
The Deaf women are motivated, active, they are changing the world for Deaf women in The Gambia. They visit parents who won’t let their daughters go to Deaf centres and events, give Deaf women loans when they need them, and have a lot of fun.
But when they have problems with their family, or they need to go to the hospital, they text Lamin, who always comes to interpret, for free. Because he recognises the need, there’s no one else to do it, and people won’t yet pay for interpreting.
For Deaf Gambians to be empowered with their families, to have training, be able to work, be healthy, informed, they need interpreters. Our project wants to train more interpreters so that Deaf Gambians can do all of these things.
If you’d like to help us achieve this, you can make a donation, or become a monthly supporter, by clicking here.
Or if your organisation may be interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact Darren directly (darrenth@gmail.com)
The Deaf women are motivated, active, they are changing the world for Deaf women in The Gambia. They visit parents who won’t let their daughters go to Deaf centres and events, give Deaf women loans when they need them, and have a lot of fun.
But when they have problems with their family, or they need to go to the hospital, they text Lamin, who always comes to interpret, for free. Because he recognises the need, there’s no one else to do it, and people won’t yet pay for interpreting.
For Deaf Gambians to be empowered with their families, to have training, be able to work, be healthy, informed, they need interpreters. Our project wants to train more interpreters so that Deaf Gambians can do all of these things.
If you’d like to help us achieve this, you can make a donation, or become a monthly supporter, by clicking here.
Or if your organisation may be interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact Darren directly (darrenth@gmail.com)