Virtual sign language training program for those with special needs

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Adi Salaseini Fong. Picture: SERAFINA SILAITOGA/FILE

In empowering women, the Cakaudrove provincial women’s group organised a virtual sign language training program for those with special needs.

Members of the Na i Soqosoqo Vakamarama i Taukei Cakaudrove (SVTC) who travelled from around the province as far as Taveuni attended the training in Savusavu.

Group president Adi Salaseini Fong said this was done to empower women who were traditionally skilled in making handicraft products.

“The training was organised to help our members who are deaf and mute to register their business by using sign language and such training is not provided in our area,” she said.

“We did not budget for nor were we aware of the costs involved in hiring a sign language interpreter but we are grateful to the US Embassy Economic Recovery Project grant officers for allowing us to adjust our project budget in order to accommodate this.”

One particular member, Asenaca Takayawa, who travelled from Somosomo Village on Taveuni is a well-known traditional crafter and tapa designer who has depended on this for income.

For this case, Adi Salaseini said they attended to her needs because she faced challenges in registering her business.

But for Ms Takayawa, the training was a blessing.

“Tapa designing is a lucrative business and I am grateful to SVTC for facilitating the services of an excellent sign language interpreter to assist me during the US Embassy Economic Recovery Project funded entrepreneurship training and even to my quest to register my business,” she said.

“I just wish that more young women would show an interest in tapa designing as a business.”

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