Deaf celebrate achievements

The Zimbabwe  National Association of Deaf (ZMNAD) has held the international week of deaf people event in Kelvin West offices to celebrate the sustainability of deaf leadership, human rights as well as their cultures.

The ran from 20 to 26 September under the theme celebrating thriving deaf communities.

The international week of deaf people is celebrated every year worldwide.

ZMAD national coordinator Daniel Masotsha said the event sought to empower the deaf communities.

"We as the organisation of the deaf want to take the opportunity to tell our members the importance of the last week of September throughout the world. Why do we have it on the international calendar, how it started, its aims and objectives," he said.

"We meet with deaf people every fourth night to share their experiences and ask their challenges. The commemoration will raise awareness on different issues and tell them how important they are".

However, Masotsha said financial constraints delayed the event and other awareness campaigns they are willing to conduct.

"Last we failed to commemorate the international week due to covid 19 restrictions. The main challenges that we have is lack of funding," he said.

"If we could have funders we would organise awareness campaigns and workshops with business owners to represent us. Communication breakdown hinders us because other communities don't take us seriously whenever we tell them we are deaf. This compromises our situations as we don't get what we deserve."