The Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing GADHOH female Wing awarded certificates to 17 of its year 2007 students recently.

Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Isatou Sanyang Director of GADHOH female Wing, revealed that the students were trained on skills such as sign language, tie and dye, sawing, soap and omo making. She said that skills training for a deaf person are very vital, as it would not only create self-employment but also enable them to contribute towards national development. She appealed to the general public to support the deaf people and also for parents to send their deaf children to GADHOH new office at Kanifing to learn skills. This certificate would show your parents and employees your competence,” she said.

In deputizing his Director, Mr Lamin Ceesay Deputy Director of GADHOH said that the female wing is a special interest group under GADHOH promoting the welfare of deaf women and girls. He applauded the female wing for their achievements. He revealed that they have received a bus from Foundation Buganala to transport students to school. He called for the abolition of all forms of discrimination against deaf people arguing that whatever a hearing person can do a deaf person can do as well if not better. Mr Ceesay also encouraged the certified students to put into practice the skills they acquire.

Others speakers include Mrs. Alvian Jones a VSO volunteer with GADHOH; Abdoulie William tailor with the wing and Sainabou Cham a PTA member.

Meanwhile, out of the total number of students certificated three received intermediate while fourteen received elementary levels.