“I think two of the biggest challenges Deaf people face in gaining employment and becoming self-reliant is having to deal with communication & attitudinal barriers. I want to be a good model for my friends who live in similar situations, and I’m trying my best to work hard in order to make my dreams come true. For me, the most important thing is to be independent from others. So I am very happy now, because I’m living independently on my own.”

“I participated in the Visions Leadership Academy from 2014 – 2015. I am so happy, because I passed my O/L exams. I scored the highest and was ranked first in my school. The reason I was able to achieve this result is because of the Visions classes. In my village, there is no place to have extra classes. The other problem is a lack of teachers in important subjects. Because I was not getting good marks, my school selected me as a student for this program. I have started to study hard since that day. Now I can see the results, not only in my education, but I also received a good character certificate from my school recently…I have grown in my education as well as in soft skills. I wish to participate in the Visions programs continuously.”

“One should be a model to children. I have learned how to mold children through games and about what the best qualities of leadership entail – to act morally, to achieve excellence, and to endeavor to set an example for others.”

“I am really happy because I got the opportunity to see the daily progress of deaf people, especially youngsters and children. From my observation, your project is helpful for the deaf people in three ways. Firstly, you hired the right people for the right place (deaf teachers, interpreters and deaf education professionals)…Secondly, as we all know, the deaf people had no chance to meet each other, to share their life experience, to play games, to improve their signing skills, etc. However, now thanks to your project, they have opportunities at school, at the Deafness Center, and in their workplaces. Thirdly…[y]ou are making a lifelong progress for the deaf. Imagine, in the world there are in millions of projects but very few of them work to change the life of people…To me, making people happy is the most important and the best work. When I see the deaf kids playing together, having fun, talking about different issues they like, improving their signing skills, I can imagine their bright future.”

“One should be a model to children. I have learned how to mold children through games and about what the best qualities of leadership entail – to act morally, to achieve excellence, and to endeavor to set an example for others.”

“I have great hope that my son will grow up and work beside me, which gives me plenty of joy and hope for the future. People who are deaf like me should not expect anything or depend on anyone. They should love the way they are and manage their own lives. Begging is the worst thing. I want to share my life experiences with others to encourage them to be independent and to lead their own lives. I thank all who supported me for enabling me to improve my life.”

“For many years, no boys in my village passed their Ordinary Level examinations, because our village is very remote and has a lack of teachers. Other reasons for this is that often after age 16, boys get married and go to work to earn money to support their family…I took this challenge when I was studying in Grade 10. Now I am able to see the results of these efforts… I recently qualified to study at the Advance Level. I am so happy to get this result…I have to change the attitude and culture amongst the boys in my village. If I did not come to the leadership classes, I could not have achieved this success. The Visions team enabled me to achieve this.”