Greetings Everyone,

Today we went to two deaf schools. First deaf school we visited is called Noluthando School for the Deaf. Another one is called Dominican School for the Deaf in Wittebome. Nouthando School for the Deaf served students from pre-primary to ninth grades. Also, it included life skills for students who are fourteen to eighteen. One thing that impressed us was the students make metals bars for rails, windows, and doors around campus. Each class we went had at least five students with teacher and deaf teacher aide. Those students have showed their skills by doing counting and tell their name and sign. One class, Jennifer and their teacher were able to share how we came to South Africa with globe. Students' reaction were so adorable when our and their teacher explained where we came from and we are deaf like them because they thought we were hearing. After that, we visited vocational center that have electricity and welding. Also, this school have hospitality and barbershop classes. In those classes, students can obtain certificate before they graduate if they pass exam. In electricity class, students were able to fix wires so they have knowledge to install electricity wires in the house. The students were able to fix wires independently most of the time and teacher help them if they struggle with it. This school does not have any dorms but it provided bus and students will have to ride bus at 4 am in the morning every day to arrive school before 10 am. When we were at vocational center, students were excited to see us and ask us variety questions. As we leave from that school, the students were eagerly to tell us goodbye.

When we went to Dominican School for the Deaf, we were able to visited several classes. One class had three and four years old students with deaf teacher and they were able to have many exposure to South Africa sign language as possible at early age since their parents are hearing and doesn't have any knowledge with sign language. Also, there was a class where students did artworks through sewing and glossing. This school is residential and provided dorms for students who live far away and teachers or staff who don't have any home. This school had provided Afrikaans sign language class for certain students. After we visited two deaf schools, we went to the District Six Museum.

The District Six was an area where black people lived but government want them to leave because that area had rich opportunity to change because it is near mountains which it is good location for higher prices. Those areas were demolished quickly without any of those former residents' knowledge. Our tour guide was former resident of District Six and he was able to explained his experiences. Colored people were forced to move to Cape Flat which it doesn't have anything and took while to reach to city for work or doing errands. Since those buildings were destroy, the government were able to sell to variety property developments. Now day, the cost of living is expensive. Former residents of the District Six have expressed their feelings and they decided to move on instead being angry forever. In museum, former residents were able to sign their name to remember their time.

~ Precious

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Comments:

Wanda Kelley: Thanks Precious for sharing this experience with us. I am glad you all were able to visit the two Deaf schools. Continue to enjoy!

Crystal Schwartz: Sad to hear that genocide happens in South Africa too where the goverment wants to push the black people out so that they can profit from building businesses there. However it's good to hear that the residents decided to move on instead of being angry. The students sound like they were in awe to find out you all were were deaf too, like them. A great opportunity to be good role models for them visiting from America. Hope you got pictures of the names in the museum, curious to see how many signed their names. Precious, we miss you! Keep enjoying the experience, we are counting the days until we see you again! Stay safe, everyone.

Cynthia Foss: Wow and I thought our daily commutes to school were long. 6 hours one way in the morning?

Traci: Glad you all got to see the two deaf schools, bet it was enjoyable moment meeting the kids. Can't wait to see more what your trip brings you all in Johannesburg next. Thanks Precious for sharing!