Up Close … with Anita Gardner, chairperson of the association for people with hearing impairment (Aphi) |04 February 2020

Anita Gardner

Giving voice to the voiceless

By Vidya Gappy

“If you achieve a voice that will be heard, you should use it to speak up for the voiceless and oppressed. If you possess any power or authority, you must strive to use it to help and empower the powerless”- Craig Murray.

Our special guest for this week’s Up Close column is Anita Gardner. She dedicates her life for the cause of the deaf people and all of this came after she went on a trip to South Africa. She is considered as the mother, the friend and the ‘listener’ of the deaf community in Seychelles.

Who is Anita?

“I am married with a son and owner of a retail business. I am the chairperson of the association for the deaf in Seychelles, the chairperson of the Seychelles sign language interpreter association, the secretary of the deaf sports association and also the chief executive of Miss Deaf Africa and Mr & Miss Deaf Indian Ocean pageant. I can describe myself as a positive person, a quick planner and also a quick problem solver! I am very sensitive to vulnerable people and I enjoy adventures. I like travelling, swimming and sewing. Note: If I am bored I can drive everyone around me crazy!!”

Childhood/teen years and young adult

Anita tells us that her childhood was amazing and she grew up with her two brothers and three sisters at the Tea Plantation at Morne Blanc. They explored nature, eating wild berries, santol and guavas.

“I did my primary school in Seychelles, and then I left Seychelles for a while. Upon my return I worked in the tourism sector. I experienced other jobs here and there but I never felt grounded. I then studied management & business at the then Seychelles Institute of Management (now The Guy Morel Institute) and opened my shop in 2002,” she recalled.

Involvement with the deaf initiative

“I found sign language fascinating and always wanted to learn and it became a reality when I went to South Africa on holiday. And that time visitors’ permits were only for a month but I wanted to stay for an extra month but the only way I could do that was leave the country for 24 hours and then return. Luckily my friend in South Africa knew someone living at the border of Namibia and the plan was for me to just cross over then return the next day. I decided to stay a day or two in Namibia for a visit. The first day in there I attended church services and I chose to sit at the back. During the service I realised I was sitting with a group of deaf persons and someone was translating everything for the congregation in sign language! I was so excited and from then on I decided this is what I want to do! Instead of staying a few days I stayed for one month! I was then introduced to a lady who was the seamstress of the First Lady of Namibia at that time and we exchanged ideas about fashion and recycling. She invited me to her workshop and while we were talking a bus stopped in front of her workshop and about eight girls walked in and she said that she teaches them to sew after school. They were all deaf! I remembered at that point I said to myself that this is not a coincidence!! I spent seven months going back and forth between Seychelles and Namibia learning as much as I could. Upon my return, I started a project called ‘Curiosity project’, empowering young men and women to become entrepreneurs. They manufactured clothes and jewelry and sold in our outlet in the Victoria Market. We also participated in international and national fashion shows. At this point we caught the eyes (and ears) of the media and a great partnership has developed until today. Today I wish to thank the media who have been a key partner in promoting deaf people’s rights.”

Anita you are someone we cannot dissociate from the movement ‘Lizye pour tande’. Tell us more about your association and what made you pursue your service for the deaf community?

“I discovered that contrary to other countries I visited, Seychelles lacked services for deaf people especially education through sign language. I started information sessions with the deaf people about deaf rights.

“In 2005 with some friends and deaf persons and their families we launched the association of people with hearing impairment. The association is run by deaf and hearing members. Our main objective is to ensure that deaf people in Seychelles enjoy the same rights as their hearing peers. Our proudest achievements are opening the first school for the deaf in 2010 which is situated At Au Cap, launching the sign language interpreter services, launching the deaf sports association and most recently publishing the Seychellois sign language dictionary.

In April we will open the first centre for the deaf at Mont Fleuri. We depend mostly on sponsorship to fund our projects and we also have government support.”

When I first met you and told you about my child having some hearing issue, you took your time to explain to me what I should do and give me courage. Immediately I could see the unconditional love you have for people. Where does this courage and compassion come from?

“I am very grateful that the deaf community has welcomed me in their world – ‘The world of silence’. It is only with them that I was able to develop my potential and knowledge about deaf people and to master the sign language. I feel very privileged that they have entrusted me with the responsibility not to become their leader but to become their partner, their guide and their voice! I have a profound respect for them! I have a profound affection for the children and this is the main reason I do what I do.”

You have been behind the dictionary and the pageant. Please describe your journey.

“Because deaf people learn and gain access through sign language, we had to establish the Seychellois sign language. We proudly published the Seychellois sign language dictionary last year. The project took ten years to materialise and I am proud to say that the team who worked on the project consisted mainly of deaf persons. The dictionary is on sale at R300. In line with the publication, we are inviting the general public to join our sign language classes.”

Our conversation with Anita Gardner ended with the other activities she is involved with.

“Furthermore, Seychelles is the organiser of Miss Deaf Africa and Mr & Miss Deaf Indian Ocean. The objective of such event is to empower young deaf women and men and also to give them the equal opportunity as their hearing peers. In the past the event was organised mostly in South Africa and it is only since 2018 that it is being organised in Seychelles. The 2020 pageant will be held at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino in November.

“The association for the deaf is here offering services so there is no excuse not to come forward to participate. Our 2020 theme: ‘Sign language for all’! So let us make Seychelles an inclusive society by learning sign language.”

Photo sources: Anita Gardner