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Miss Deaf Africa |23 May 2015

Seychellois Melita Gilbert crowned second princess  

Eighteen-year-old Praslinois Melita Gilbert who represented Seychelles at the Miss Deaf Africa pageant, was crowned second princess at the event which was won by Miss Deaf Lesotho Tlhokomelo Sabole while the first princess went to Miss Deaf South Africa.

The event, which was held from May 4-9 at the Buffalo Hotel in Mpumalanga, South Africa, is an annual beauty pageant that began in 2012 and it aims to promote cultural diversity, beauty and the potential of young deaf women across the African continent.

Contestants came from Lesotho Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa.

Miss Gilbert was accompanied to the pageant by the chairperson of the Association for People with Hearing Impairment (Aphi) Anita Gardner.

Earlier this week Miss Gilbert shared her experience with deaf pupils at the Au Cap school.

She said taking part in the pageant was the best thing to have happened in her life and it was a great, wonderful and unforgettable experience.

“I was actually at home doing nothing. I always look forward to going to Mahé to take part in the deaf association's activities, there I was introduced to the deaf pageant arena at a very young age. I had Shana David, Miss Deaf Seychelles and Miss Regatta 2009 as my role model and I wish to thank her wholeheartedly for all her support,” Miss Gilbert said.

“When I was selected as a contestant for the Miss Deaf Africa, my childhood dream came true but I have to admit that the competition was tough as most girls were former deaf queens in their countries,” she explained, adding that she is happy to have won something for her effort.
 
She said the pageant was a very enriching event for her as she met a lot of different people, learned about new cultures and other sign languages.

“It was also an eye opener for me. I knew education for deaf children in Seychelles was a challenge but then I saw that during question time which was done in writing I was the only one who could not read and write and thankfully I had an interpreter! From this point I was determined  that upon my return I will support the deaf association to promote equal education rights for deaf people in Seychelles,” Miss Gilbert said.

She noted that she is going to push for Aphi to start literacy classes for all deaf students like herself and this is why she visited deaf pupils at Au cap school on her return.

“I wanted to encourage the pupils to take their studies seriously. As for me I want to become more independent. I want to become a beauty therapist so I am grateful that Aphi is working on a training project to train young deaf women in this domain.

She thanked Ms Gardner for all her patience, training tips and support which have helped her to clinch the position.

Ms Gardner for her part said Ms Gilbert came back from the event very confident and determined.
 
“We are very proud of her; she has made Seychelles very proud!”

She said Ms Gilbert still has a busy calendar; she will be representing Seychelles at the Miss Deaf World event which will be held in Prague in July and just after that both of them will attend the Deaf World Conference to take place in Turkey. She will also be representing Seychelles at the forthcoming Indian Ocean Island Games in Reunion.

Aphi takes the opportunity to extend its heartfelt gratitude to Air Seychelles for sponsoring airfares to the pageant, Miriam Hoareau for her stunning dress, the media and the business community of Praslin for their support, noting that the association always welcomes and appreciates any support it can get.



M-A.L

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