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Cards speak for deaf youths - Fiji Times Online
In many cases people with disabilities are seldom thought of and are often neglected.
That is why for a group of 12 or so deaf students, it's a mind-set they want to erase from people's mind.
Just ask Mitieli Kalou, who is deaf, and in sign language said more deaf people should be encouraged into the job market.
The group I'm referring to are renowned for the hand-made greeting cards they make.
They operate out of the Foundation of Rural Integrated Enterprise and Development or FRIEND, an economic empowerment non-government organisation based in Lautoka.
These students make cards for special occasions like Valentine's Day to the everyday greeting cards.
A trip to the FRIEND centre last Tuesday, had me wondering what work the deaf students were doing and how did they communicate with each other and the hearing unimpaired.
Kalou said the work he does was great and he encouraged other deaf people to join them
These youths started in 2004, with most of those who started the project still there.
Their numbers have been bolstered by other like-minded people joining them.
Last year the youths entered the Fiji Development Bank's small business awards and scooped the new initiative award.
The project has won international acclaim with the ICT Youth award in Tunisia.
FRIEND director Sashi Kiran said the youthscome from Tavua, Ba, Lautoka and Nadi daily to make cards for their livelihood.
She said the move to get deaf youths involved in the project came about when she saw a group of deaf youths chatting among themselves at a function. She said after talking to them, she found many of them lacked opportunities to improve their lives.
As part of the NGO's governance program, a meeting was called which 60 deaf young attended. There a needs assessment was carried out as the hearing challenged young people spoke about challenges in communications, education and employment.
"For communication, we encouraged them to teach sign language to people themselves, something they have been doing on Saturdays for the last couple of years," she said.
"It's very exciting and the response from the general public has been good.
"We have been trying to upgrade their English language. They have access to other training programs we have for staff."
Kiran said at the time many of the deaf youths had been laid off from the garment industry and the centre had to think quickly about income generation, and so the greeting cards project was born.
The project started with only three girls and has now grown with a large number of boys.
In an interview, young Nilesh Kumar, in sign language, said more deaf youths should be encouraged to work at the centre.
"We have a card stand in every Morris Hedstrom shopping centre and every duty free outlet. There are about 40 stands in all," Ms Kiran said.
"In a day the youths can make up to 80-100 cards, but that's if they stick to just doing their tasks.
"In a week the youths can make up to $190 a week.
"But when they start chatting they need to use their hands to communicate with each and that can slow them down.
"But they have a lot of fun doing the cards."
Kiran said FRIEND provided the materials for the cards and everything was done at the centre to maintaining quality and consistency.
In many cases people with disabilities are seldom thought of and are often neglected.
That is why for a group of 12 or so deaf students, it's a mind-set they want to erase from people's mind.
Just ask Mitieli Kalou, who is deaf, and in sign language said more deaf people should be encouraged into the job market.
The group I'm referring to are renowned for the hand-made greeting cards they make.
They operate out of the Foundation of Rural Integrated Enterprise and Development or FRIEND, an economic empowerment non-government organisation based in Lautoka.
These students make cards for special occasions like Valentine's Day to the everyday greeting cards.
A trip to the FRIEND centre last Tuesday, had me wondering what work the deaf students were doing and how did they communicate with each other and the hearing unimpaired.
Kalou said the work he does was great and he encouraged other deaf people to join them
These youths started in 2004, with most of those who started the project still there.
Their numbers have been bolstered by other like-minded people joining them.
Last year the youths entered the Fiji Development Bank's small business awards and scooped the new initiative award.
The project has won international acclaim with the ICT Youth award in Tunisia.
FRIEND director Sashi Kiran said the youthscome from Tavua, Ba, Lautoka and Nadi daily to make cards for their livelihood.
She said the move to get deaf youths involved in the project came about when she saw a group of deaf youths chatting among themselves at a function. She said after talking to them, she found many of them lacked opportunities to improve their lives.
As part of the NGO's governance program, a meeting was called which 60 deaf young attended. There a needs assessment was carried out as the hearing challenged young people spoke about challenges in communications, education and employment.
"For communication, we encouraged them to teach sign language to people themselves, something they have been doing on Saturdays for the last couple of years," she said.
"It's very exciting and the response from the general public has been good.
"We have been trying to upgrade their English language. They have access to other training programs we have for staff."
Kiran said at the time many of the deaf youths had been laid off from the garment industry and the centre had to think quickly about income generation, and so the greeting cards project was born.
The project started with only three girls and has now grown with a large number of boys.
In an interview, young Nilesh Kumar, in sign language, said more deaf youths should be encouraged to work at the centre.
"We have a card stand in every Morris Hedstrom shopping centre and every duty free outlet. There are about 40 stands in all," Ms Kiran said.
"In a day the youths can make up to 80-100 cards, but that's if they stick to just doing their tasks.
"In a week the youths can make up to $190 a week.
"But when they start chatting they need to use their hands to communicate with each and that can slow them down.
"But they have a lot of fun doing the cards."
Kiran said FRIEND provided the materials for the cards and everything was done at the centre to maintaining quality and consistency.