Dancing to her own tune

After Gloria Kampondeni became deaf following a Tuberculosis attack in 1990, she made the choice to forge ahead against all odds. In the 21 years that she’s been living in a world of silence, Gloria has attained a diploma in education, a specialist teacher of the deaf certificate and a bachelor of arts Degree in Primary Education. Currently the only deaf teacher of the deaf and lecturer at Montfort College and Centre for Education of the Deaf, Gloria opens up to AKOSSA MPHEPO, via email, on breaking the silence that surrounds her, finding joy in laughter and leaving a legacy in the education of the deaf in Malawi.

The country commemorated the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on December 3. Of what significance is the day to you?

 

This day is of great significance and often brings excitement to me because it gives us the opportunity to showcase our talents and let the public know that ‘Disability is not Inability’.

Do you think that the Malawi Government is doing enough for people with special needs?

 

More needs to be done on Special Needs Education where there is acute shortage of assistive devices like hearing aids for the deaf, Braille machines for the blind. We solely depend on foreign donors. Also, the country only has one college that trains specialist teachers of the deaf, blind and learning difficulties. I think government needs to do something on this as the number of those needing special education facilities increases every day against the few teachers produced by one college. The other thing is that we have very few schools for the deaf, which means that trained teachers end up on a waiting list and some deaf students are denied the right to education because they cannot access nor be accommodated by these schools.

What is the biggest challenge faced by the deaf in Malawi?

 

Access to information due to communication problems. Government should assist in this area to ensure the Deaf are kept informed of events taking place around them. I have a TV, but I do not benefit from almost all the programmes due to lack of interpretation services. The abolition of the Ministry of Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly is another area government needs to reconsider as the fraternity knew where to direct their requests.

Could you please take me back to that day in 1990 when you lost your hearing?

 

So much time has passed, but I cry every time I talk about this day. It’s a long story, but it was on April 20 and on a Friday to be precise. When I woke up, I was okay. I did my household chores then helped my brother set up a vegetable garden. I had a baby, Angella, who on this particular day turned two months. As I was working, my maid called to say Angella was crying and I had to attend to her. I asked her to get my bath water ready so I could clean up before handling the baby. After I took a bath, my body felt lifeless. I could not even hold Angella because I could not move my arms. I was teaching at Mtambanyama Community Day Secondary School (then Distance Education Centre), in Thyolo at the time. I was rushed to Malamulo Hospital in Makwasa. Tests revealed that I had TB/Meningitis and Pneumonia. I later lost consciousness and remained thus for almost two months. My doctor (Gilbert Burnham) helped wean Angella. I was then put on Streptomycin IV treatment. I lost hearing in the course of my treatment as the disease was advanced and the medication they put me on was so strong. When they discharged me on the 29th of June, I had left a part of me on that hospital bed.

What were the early days like? How did you adapt?

 

I felt lost and isolated as I could not pick up what was happening around me. I often cried and kept poking my ears to remove what I subconsciously felt was blocking them. It didn’t help that people around me thought I was funny and that I was pretending not to hear. My own son used to laugh at me when I failed to understand what he was saying to me. I was often bitter and withdrawn. When I got back to work, I told my students and my colleagues to communicate using simple signs and gestures. I asked them to write either on the chalkboard or paper when they wanted to ask, answer a question or contribute to a class discussion. My family gave me all the support and were with me during this time and my faith in God helped me persevere.

Wha does it mean to be deaf?

 

I live in a world of silence. I do not know who or what is coming behind me. I cannot hear melody, and dance only to the tunes in my head. Each day I am thankful for God’s protection over me and the fact that I have gone through the day without being run down by a car. Oftentimes, I hear of an event a few days after it has happened as people assume everyone can hear them when they talk even when I am there. I remember having been promoted to the grade of Head of Department (P7) in 2002. Though I was assigned a department, I was not allowed to act on that post let alone be a deputy so that I could learn. People just assumed that ‘because Gloria is deaf, she cannot perform.’ If that is the case, how do I manage my household? They forget that practice makes perfect.

What keeps you going through these trials and tribulations?

 

I find joy in laughter because that’s only when my voice can be heard. Laughter is the best medicine and this helps me forget my worries. Oftentimes I am left out in a conversation and to make people remember I am there, I crack a joke so everyone laughs. When people tell me I am noisy, I respond that it is because they can hear my voice but I cannot hear theirs. I am rarely given an opportunity to speak and when I get the chance I utilise it to the fullest. The love of God motivates me and having lived 21 years as a Deaf (not dead) person affirms that God has a purpose for my life.

Who is Gloria?

 

I am the third born in our family. There were 10 of us but now only four remain. I have three children, one boy and two girls. I also live with my deceased brothers’ and sister’s children. I am divorced but I have something in the offing. In 2009, I won 2nd prize in a competition organised by U.S based Voice Flame Writers International (VFW). When I saw the call for stories in the newspaper, something urged me on to write. I have discovered that as I live in a world of silence where nobody seems to care, I can off-load my pain on paper. I also like crocheting, embroidery, knitting, baking, flower and vegetable growing. I also like reading stories and spiritual books. I like travelling and meeting people.

Who are the people that form your support system?

 

My parents, brothers and sisters have given me all the support and love. My children and friends give me the joy of living. My grandchildren infuse my days with laughter. I have friends who encourage me when I am depressed and support me when need be.

You are very close to your interpreter, Betty Wisiki and fondly refer to her as ‘your daughter…

 

Oh yes, Betty and I met sometime in the late 90’s when I was introduced to Malawi National Association of the Deaf (MANAD). Betty was among the few hearing young men and women who took interest in sign language and were aspiring to become interpreters. I fell in love with her and she is just like one of my daughters. Her parents know me very well and they know Betty is mine.

You recently studied towards your degree in Primary Education…

 

It was tough going as the lecturers would just talk without considering that they had a deaf student. A colleague from my college, Sidaya, helped me a lot as I was copied down whatever she wrote. I asked for a Note Taker from the college and they provided one who assisted me. The lecturers got used to my frequenting their offices for explanations and clarifications. It paid off and I am now a graduate!

When all’s said and done, how would you like to be remembered?

 

I would love to leave a legacy in the history of education of the Deaf in the country.

Gloria’s Melody

Born on July 29 at Malamulo Hospital in 1957.

Studied at Mbalanguzi, Namame, Makande, Kanyongolo, Njedza and Mtambanyama Primary Schools.

Selected to Providence Secondary School in 1974.

Holds:

1. A Diploma in Education obtained from Domasi College of Education in 1996

2. A Specialist Teacher of the Deaf Certificate from Montfort in 1997

3. A Primary School Teacher’s Certificate from Blantyre Teachers’ College in 1983.

4. A Bachelor of Arts Primary Education Degree attained from Chancellor College in 2010