A conversation with Lugha Ishara.

“Make space, let Deaf children be seen and heard. Let them lead. Only by doing this will we be able to see beyond the Disability to really experiencing their skills, talents, passion, their life.”

This is a conversation with Ann Karau, a co-founder at Lugha Ishara.

1. Tell us the birth story of Lugha Ishara. What was the inspiration behind the organization?

Behind Lugha Ishara are 4 strong, diverse women co-founders, each with her own story of how we got here.

Now, Lugha Ishara has grown beyond the 4 of us, we have a power house of staff, volunteers, families and partners who work closely with us towards our vision where we dream of?A world where Deaf children can fully and truly thrive

?To the founder’s story, the common denominator has got to be Nancy Nyambura Wagi Maina, who is the brains behind Lugha Ishara, bringing in Penninah Waturi?(she?is Deaf), Susan Thuo and I, Ann Karau at different times in the Lugha Ishara journey.

?For me , God was working on me, preparing me to be part of this beautiful story. After years in the development sector, I built a strong passion and belief in inclusion and particularly Disability inclusion. Over the years, I supported in the design and roll out of programs centering around meaningful inclusion and leadership of marginalized groups including People With Disabilities.?

?As I settled in a new role at VSO?(an?international development organization), I was given space to grow my passion further but more importantly, I got to share an office space with a really powerful gentleman Richard Mativu, a fellow development practitioner who was Deaf. Richard gently pushed me to learn basic signs so we could communicate effectively with each other. That was a powerful journey and the beginning of the immersion to the Deaf space.?

?A few years in, I gave birth to my son, Kwe and immediately, I was confronted with the realities of how mothers want only the best for their children, how communication with your children is such a powerful tool in their development. Just then, these two pieces, motherhood and my disability inclusion passion came together and I became a fellow worker in building Lugha Ishara.

?At Lugha Ishara, we wake up daily giving our all, seeking to ensure transformational development of Deaf children and families.

?2. Your mission… Transformational development of Deaf Children and Youth. Talk to us about it.

As we were coming up with our organizational strategy, we really took time and continue to do so, to immerse ourselves into what changes needed to happen for Deaf children and their families to thrive.

?We landed on a mission of transformational development, where growth is happening spiritually, emotionally, physically, psychologically… all rounded. And that is at the heart of who we are. We work with Deaf children and their families by taking a holistic view of their lives and aspirations and together with them, develop solutions to meet these needs.

?3. If there’s anyone wondering how the media can better serve deaf children and youth in Kenya, what would you advise them to do?

?Make space, let deaf children be seen and heard. Let them lead. Only by doing this will we be able to see beyond the Disability to really experiencing their skills, talents, passion, their life. By doing this we will also demystify and destigmatize sign language?(the?3rd?recognized official language in the constitution). We will open up a whole new world of exciting, varied communication and engagement.

4. Would you advocate for sign language to be added as a mandatory language to be learnt in schools?

Oh yes.

First, Kenyan sign language is the 3rd?official language as highlighted in chapter 8 of the constitution of Kenya.?But beyond that, it is a beautiful, expressive, and rich language. By expanding the use of Kenyan sign language and sign language more broadly, we are breaking communication barriers. We are enabling Deaf children to develop language like their hearing counterparts from very early on in life and you know the saying?‘language?is the currency of life.’

I must also say that the benefits of learning sign language for even hearing children are many and vastly documented, so this will benefit all. My son, 3 and hearing, started learning sign language early and I can tell you it has helped his cognitive and also fine motor skills development immensely.?

?5. What opportunities are there for individuals and organizations to get involved with Lugha Ishara?

We are a movement, so there are many ways to plug in.

?You can join us and become a Sign Language Champ! By learning sign language as a family, institution or company, contact us on?[email protected]?or sign up for affordable online Kenyan?Sign Language?classes?

?You can partner with us to end language deprivation through supporting and collaborating with us through the delivery of our products: like our Hang Out Hub where Deaf children and their families meet weekly to connect, heal and learn sign language together as children build their talents.

?You can follow us on our?social media handles?and plug in to our events and volunteer opportunities.