Helping Hands ~ Volunteer at Disabled Communities

Ms. Mumtaz is Deaf and from South Africa, here is her short life story. Why I am putting her story here? you know most of Deaf have very poor skill of reading / writing even after passing their graduation. Mumataz's is struggling and improving her reading / writing skill, this shows that if one try he/she can improve his/her reading/writing skill (written communication is most important these days just think about Email, Instant Messaging, SMS via cell phone, you'll need good reading writing skills to utilize these tools). So I thought it'll be good to put her story here in her own words so many other Deaf may inspire and try to improve their education quality. Good luck to Mumtaz and those who are struggling for better education.

(Akram)

Asallaam Alaykum I would like to write about my story life. I start writing about my childhood and story life.  My name is Mumtaaz. I am from South Africa. I am 24 years old. I am deaf because of my birth. I am female.  I was 5 or 6 years old when I went to the V.N. Naik School for the deaf in 1983 in Newland, Durban ( name of the place and city) I was 6 years when I was pre school. After 3 years, I was very good all of my subject when I was std 2. But my parents wanted me to go to other school in Ispingo Hills, Durban. My other school's name is Durban School for the Hearing Impaired.  There is only oral school, but there is no sign language for some old system. My mother wanted me to speak speech and lip-reading clearly. I didn't know lack of my knowledge when I listened my parents. My parents took me to go to the Speech Therapy. I had spoken my speech for four years in 1989 to 1995. I gave up myself, when I was very tired to speak speech. I suddenly felt awareness about my deaf identify and needed to study some education. I didn't know any when I felt and needed to study myself. I was moving in other school in 1989 to 1997. But I didn't complete my matric. (Grade 12). I was unhappy in our school, because there is very slowly for deaf pupils who learn or study very limit education. I was not satisfied, when I needed to advise them, but I can't help myself to teach them. I didn't know how to read and write. I tried to write for short composition and read too limit. My friend (my best friend pal from my previous school) suggested me to go to the USA, because of my studying. I was thinking about going to study in the USA. But My parents didn't want me to go to the USA. I didn't go because of my religion (Islamic). They didn't allow me to go there because of the risky alone in the USA. My parents and I did meet my friend's parents to discuss about studying in the USA. My parents accepted me to go there. I decided to leave in our school in May 1997. My parents and I was flying to the Washington DC, USA. I enrolled in some university for English Second Language. I am not good in English. I had to learn for some new grammar, reading skills, and vocabulary. I was 1 7 years old, when I was in the USA for my alone. I admitted you that I am scared in the USA for my alone without parents. My parents are in South Africa. I had to accept staying in the USA.  I didn't use to learn anything in my life alone without family. I was positive myself to learn anything to do. I am interested to learn English in my life. After 3 years in 2000, I improved in English, but I am not satisfied to learn some English. I need to learn more and more English language. I left USA, but I didn't want to stay there anymore. I missed my family and I have to stay with my parents, but I missed my friends and education in USA. Of course, I have to accept things in my life and family.  I was in South Africa last May 2000, I had private tuition with special person who taught me in English very well. After 1 years, I was little improving in English, but I need some more English for my reading skill and writing. I don't give up myself and I have to learn and read in English of importance. I want to courage the deaf people who must learn and study in English. Because deaf people need to communicate with hearing people how to write and read for some question.  I still continue writing and reading when I have to courage myself to my best chance. I enjoy reading my books from library, and magazine. I addicted in English when I was 20 years old! J  I hope that deaf people enjoy reading my story life.  Thank you  Mumtaaz  South Africa

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