Update from Umivita for July 2012

JULY 2012 PROGRESS REPORTS

EDUCATION

Sign Language Training for volunteers

Eight (8) volunteers from United Kingdom including Two Tanzanear Executive Board members had learnt Swahili Sign Language programs at Buguruni School premises.

Benefit: To smooth communication between with the deaf people and acquiring knowledge about signs and more about deafness and their culture

Visiting deaf suffering heart problems

UMIVITA visited deaf pupil of Buguruni School , Agathon Lyanga, at his home resident, Tabata Kimanga, in Dar es Salaam . This young man is suffering from heart problems that kept him out of the school for entre season of this year.

Because treatment for his condition is not available in Tanzania , Mr. Lyanga needs 8 Millions tsh. for treatment in India .

Benefit: Though our visit out there had no direct benefit, it give him a comfort and hope of recovery while we are trying our best to find sponsor for his journey to India .

Seacom Day

UMIVITA played a crucial role that seen Seacom Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mark Simpson based in South Africa offering 4 state of art modern computers to the Buguruni School .

Benefit: modern computer will have pupils another advantage for to transform their education into e- based knowledge.

Disappointment:

One of setback on the month was failure of some parents of the deaf children to enrol their children to school on time despite of places available for them free of charge. In this regard, four chances for four former deaf students of Buguruni to study at Amani Christian Training Centre, in Iringa were lost. They didn’t report there as required without reasons being given to us and hence making them to wait for next season.

Location, attendance and hours spent:

The evening programme was conducted at Temeke and Twiga deaf units buildings and the average number of pupils attended the programme was 50 pupils with 15 hours spent.

PROGRESS REPORT

Participating Best NGO Awards

UMIVITA was one of a few selected NGOs to compete Best NGO Award in Tanzania in recognition of its contribution to the welfare of young deaf people in Tanzania . The process is organised by The Foundation of Civil Society.

Benefit: This nomination shows how UMIVITA is gaining popularity among the public for its services to the deaf young people and this will even promote more its name among the member of public.

Exchanging knowledge with deaf friends

A group of 12 deaf students from Netherland visited UMIVITA Officials and met Buguruni pupils to exchange ideas and knowledge on experience and examples of approach, strategies and programs that promote effectiveness in life, education and other social issues. The group were led by Josh Wesserman, a son of prominence leader of Dutch Association for the Deaf and the Owner of Wesserman Travel Company. This group was in its way to visit a place of interest such as National Parks and Zanzibar adventures.

Benefit: this exchanging knowledge programs was excellent place benefited both of the sides from the shared, applied knowledge and had especially Buguruni pupils opportunity to be a future leaders on topics that they had been addressing during the contacts.

Contact with Tanzanear member

UMIVITA had fruitful discussion with Tanzania board member, Judith Roberts, on various issues ranging from its general budget including that of health insurance to activities to name few.

Benefit: the discussion led to approval of some of our requests including increase of salaries and other important issues which will maintain and even increase motivation among the staffs’ members and hence increase professionalism.

And other day to day activities