Chitipa organisation for the deaf, dumb pleads for funding

An organisation for the deaf and dumb in Chitipa has pleaded for funding to roll out its activities early 2017.

Among other things, the organisation wants to train the deaf and dumb in technical education and also teach sign language to interested individuals to bridge the communication gap between the deaf and the rest of the community members.

Founder of Long Hope Centre for the Deaf (Lode), Willie Mphaka(34), said in an interview in Mzuzu that he believes the deaf and the dumb can redefine their role from passive recipients of charity to proactive participants in wealth creation.

“For a long time, people with disabilities have faced numerous challenges that have resulted in their exclusion from mainstream society. This has made it difficult for them to access their fundamental social, religious, political and economic rights,” said Mphaka.

The founder, who is deaf and holds a Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), is working as a houseboy in Mzuzu to finance the organisation.

“As a faith-based organisation, we believe in prayer and unity on the road to achieving our goal to contribute toward transforming and improving our social and economic status through integrated and holistic approach,” he said.

Mphaka said these goals can only be realised in collaboration with partners.

The centre has so far registered 32 persons from the district. n