02 Dec 2013

Botswana Association for the Deaf (BOAD) and Ms Universal Petite Botswana have signed a partnership agreement aimed at helping the hearing impaired.

Speaking during the launch of the partnership in Gaborone on Friday, November 29, Ms Universal Petite 2013, Tshepiso Bagwasi said she wanted to be the ambassador for the deaf. She said she wanted to bridge the gap between the hearing impaired and rest of the society.

Bagwasi said Botswana had to break the communication barrier, through learning sign language so that they could be able to communicate with the deaf people and assist them in all areas.

She pleaded with the media, corporate organisations, government departments, parastatals, schools and other learning institutions and every member of society to support the BOAD in this course.

Bagwasi said that she will be working with them to raise funds through activities and help them organise events and sourcing for sponsors to implement their projects. She said with the help the deaf people will also have confidence to do everything independently without being assisted as they would not t need anyone to be their interpreter especially in places like hospitals, and other areas where everyone is entitled to privacy.

She said she is hopeful that the partnership will bring desired results for the deaf community in Botswana. ENDS