DIHA Project trains 13 New Sign Language Interpreters
Some 13 people have completed 14-week training in Sign Language organised by the Disability Inclusive Humanitarian Action (DIHA) project. The training culminated with a 2-day refresher workshop that took place at Baptist Center, Nkwen from March 29 -30, 2023.
The refresher workshop followed documented outcomes of how the trainees put knowledge gained from the 14 weeks’ training to use especially at institutional level. Thus, the 2 days training had as objectives to review what was covered in the 14-week programme, provide support in areas of challenges identified by trainees and re-establish support pathways and resources for trainees to further improve their skills. The refresher workshop took place under the theme, “Promoting access to services for the deaf community”
In his opening words, the DIHA Project Manager, Mr. Awa Jacques Chirac thanked the participants for their strong sense of purpose in deciding to undergo the training. He called on them to go back and use the knowledge gained to break barriers that exclude persons with hearing impairments at their institutional and community levels. He entreated them to make use of the first ever sign language dictionary produced by the SEEPD programme to continue to improve their skills.
The main facilitator, Mr. Che Manasseh told participants that they have been trained to facilitate access to services as a right for deaf people. During the training, the newly trained signed language interpreters refreshed their knowledge on interpreting live medical interventions and live working and church sessions, and press conferences.
At the end of the training, participants who were drawn from the Santa, Bamenda 3 and Jakiri Councils, the Mbingo and Nkwen Baptist Hospitals and 3 inclusive education resource centers, were awarded certificates for successfully completing the course.
Before handing over the certificates, the SEEPD Assistant Programme Manager, Mr. Tamon James told the sign language interpreters that the certificates will be useful only if knowledge gained is put into practice.
For her part, the DIHA Project Coordinator, Asheri Ngah encouraged them to keep practicing by teaching others as this will enable them not to forget knowledge gained. “Make good use of the whatsapp forum for questions and worries,” Asheri added.
The participants appreciated the CBC Health Services DIHA project for having given them the opportunity to bridge the communication gap between people with hearing impairments and other community members. They promised to go back and continue sharpening their skills in their places of work by signing for deaf persons accessing their services, teaching their colleagues sign language and interpreting for deaf persons in their communities whenever need arises.
One of the participants from Nkwen Baptist Hospital, Wepnje Moses, the main receptionist and focal person in charge of customer care said, he used to face a lot of difficulties when he comes in contact with patients with hearing impairments. “For my 26 years of working with the CBC Health Services I have faced a lot of challenges communicating with patients with hearing impairments because I was handicapped in that area. I will now bridge the gap between patients with hearing impairments and screeners when they come for consultation.”
The DIHA project is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office through CBM.