Links between Uganda National Association of the Deaf and the Rwanda National Association of the Deaf
06 July 2004
- Country:
- Rwanda
- Organisations involved:
- Uganda National Association of the Deaf (UNAD)
- Rwanda National Association of the Deaf (RNAD)
- Synopsis:
Pascal Mutabazi, previously Programme Development and Information Officer with UNAD explains....
This was an ad hoc project, which UNAD undertook on its own initiative following a request for support from the deaf people of Rwanda. Three members of the Ugandan Association of the Deaf visited Kigali in 1998 to visit the deaf survivors of one the worst and most barbaric massacres ever to befall an African country.
Their mission was to organise an informal one-week workshop with the aim of reversing some of the damage done to the deaf movement by the genocide. The links between UNAD and RNAD were established by Mr Francis Oranit, who was then the chairman of the World Federation of the Deaf, Regional Secretariat for Eastern and Southern Africa (RESA). He was accompanied on the visit to Rwanda by his sign language interpreter, and a Kampala based deaf youth.
I was then Information Officer for UNAD and I joined the group to cover the information-related activities of the visit for WFD News, UNAD News, and a host of regional and international disability publications. Since then, both Mr Francis and myself have moved on from UNAD and are no longer working with the association.
Far beyond our expectations, the visit was a rewarding success that strengthened and nurtured a lasting spirit of cooperation between the deaf people of Uganda and Rwanda.
It is not known exactly how many deaf people were killed in the genocide in 1994, however it is known that there was little chance of escape for many Tutsi people who lived side-by-side with Hutu families. It is estimated that around 800,000 people died in total and it is known, that Hutu soldiers targeted vulnerable groups, for example Dixon Kamukama writes in his book that death squads killed almost all of the 750 mentally handicapped patients in Rwanda’s psychiatric hospital. It can be imagined, therefore that a huge number of the country’s deaf population were also killed.
The genocide also led to political instability and meant that the financial support, which RNAD had been receiving from the Swedish National Association of the Deaf, could not continue.
The visit led to a discussion with deaf leaders about their plans for the future of their organisation as well as a trip to visit a more rural area of the country. We also managed to organise a one-day workshop for sharing information and for training, which focused on leadership issues. RNAD members had reported problems relating to the leadership of the organisation and the lack of information sharing with the membership. The outcome of the visit was that Francis Oranit oversaw the election of an interim steering committee that would work hand in hand with the Chair.
Although not all of RNAD’s problems could be solved through the links with UNAD, the success of the project was that UNAD members were able to share some of their skills in networking, leadership and management. The project also helped to improve the confidence and self-esteem that is so important to help a young organisation grow and develop.
Since the genocide, Rwanda has been largely peaceful, and this has been a good environment for RNAD to re-build itself and develop its activities. RNAD has since received support from Handicap International and has managed to undertake some research into Rwandan Sign Language, establish a deaf art project in Kigalia and form a Deaf Women’s Association. Local societies of the deaf have also been established in Gitarama, Butare, Ruhengeri and Gisenyi areas.- Issues encountered:
- It was deemed necessary to establish an operating office for RNAD in the capital city of Kigali so that a coordinating office would be able to undertake responsibilities of forming regional branches in other areas of the country. This has now been established.
During the project, RNAD identified the following issues as particularly challenging the development of their organisation: Leadership problems, lack of sign language interpreters, absence of donors to fund projects, lack of deaf women leaders, poverty, lack of confidence and self-esteem, and lack of networking skills.
It was also noted that countrywide, there were very negative attitudes towards deaf people and widespread ignorance about deaf people’s abilities. There is also a lack of education facilities to train deaf leaders.
Furthermore, the absence of a single disability organisation at national level to represent all the interests of people with disabilities in Rwanda was highlighted and this continues to be a problem. - Recommendations:
- After the project, it was recommended that the WFD secretariat support RNAD to enable the deaf people of Rwanda to develop: much as it is doing elsewhere in Africa. The Swedish Deaf Association in particular was encouraged to resume financial support to RNAD.
Another key issue was the need for a strong umbrella organisation of disabled people in Rwanda to make sure that disabled persons are represented in national forums. This still needs to be addressed.
It is also recommended that international deaf volunteers and deaf development workers be sent to Rwanda to work with RNAD, to help establish links with other development actors in the country. This will help to build confidence and trust.
There is also need for the National University of Rwanda or the Kigali Institute of Special Education to spearhead long-term research in the development and use of Rwanda sign language.
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