Maiden sign language poetry album ready

Young poets from Mountain View School for the Deaf in Thyolo, have recorded the country’s maiden sign language poetry album courtesy of a copyright fund granted to youthful creative Luckier Chikopa.

Speaking in an interview during the close of the K2.9 million Sign Language Poetry Project held at the school’s premises, Chikopa, who received the funds from Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma), described the initiative, which is her brainchild, as not only entertaining, but inclusive and edifying for the learners with hearing impairment.

She jumped on the cause after securing the funds from Cosoma where, among other things, she has been grooming students in composing poetry with assistance from teachers at the institution.

“It was one way of helping deaf children express their thoughts and fears. We had 15 students when the project started, but sadly one passed on along the way. The children are very talented and all they needed was grooming,” said Chikopa.

Cosoma Southern Region head Tikhale Chikanda hailed the project, saying they were impressed with its nature and the fact that it is the first of its kind in Malawi.

He said Cosoma is satisfied with the project’s quality and hoped that other creatives would learn from it.

“The album is copyright protected work for the children. It is criminal to abuse this material or use it without permission. If found guilty by the courts, the punishment is five years imprisonment,” warned Chikanda.

Themes in the 10-track album revolve around the environment, early marriages, the picturesque of Malawi’s nature and other personal challenges.