Namibian advocate for deaf rights Samuel Immanuel (34) is appealing for financial assistance to pursue his studies after being accepted at Gallaudet University in the United States (US).
Immanuel lost his hearing at the tender age of five due to an unknown condition.
Despite numerous efforts by his family, including seeking medical help in Angola, nothing restored his hearing.
Immanuel, who was raised by a single mother, says his life has been a testament to resilience in the face of hardship.
“I was born with my hearing and became deaf in my childhood. Raised by a single and unemployed mother, I faced significant challenges after losing my father in 2002 and my eldest brother in 2008.
“Despite having three brothers and one sister, financial support from my more affluent relatives was limited, especially regarding school fees,” he says.
“I am committed to advocating for the deaf community and have been involved in various initiatives to promote education and human rights.
“I am currently working towards furthering my education at Gallaudet University in the US, which will significantly enhance my ability to support and empower the deaf community in Namibia,” he says.
He adds that throughout his education journey, financial struggles caused considerable anxiety and stress, particularly in grades 9 and 10.
Immanuel’s educational journey began at Engela Training Centre, continuing to Eluwa Special School and later, Mweshipandeka High School.
He says, fortunately, the support of friends gave him hope which allowed him to continue with his studies.
While he faced immense challenges during his secondary school career, it was his passion for education that drove him to keep pushing forward.
Immanuel told The Namibian that despite his best efforts, financial constraints forced him to drop out of Mweshipandeka High School in 2011 due to unpaid fees.
Determined to rise above these obstacles, Immanuel took on various jobs, from working at Shoprite to teaching at JJ’s Care Centre for children with disabilities.
“I eventually returned to Mweshipandeka to complete my studies, though walking long distances and tending cattle often interfered with his academic success.”
He says his dream of furthering his education has been a rocky path.
In 2022, he was accepted into Gallaudet University, a prestigious institution in the US renowned for its deaf education programmes. This achievement was a beacon of hope for Immanuel.
He says it soon became apparent that securing the N$850 000 required to cover his tuition and other expenses would be his biggest challenge yet.
“Despite seeking assistance from numerous institutions, including government ministries and organisations, my pleas for help have largely gone unanswered,” he says.
According to Immanuel, the US embassy, for instance, does not fund undergraduate studies, and the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund denied his request.
Immanuel did not meet their point system, which highlights the systemic barriers for deaf learners in Namibia. This makes it extremely difficult for them to meet such academic requirements.
Immanuel stresses that he has faced disappointment from those he expected support from within the deaf community because of his disability.
He says he will remain committed to his advocacy for deaf rights in Namibia.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are multiple causes of hearing loss in children.
WHO says although these factors can be encountered at different periods across one’s life span, individuals are most susceptible to the effects during critical life periods.
During childhood, hearing loss could be caused by chronic ear infections (chronic suppurative otitis media), collection of fluid in the ear (chronic nonsuppurative otitis media), meningitis or other infections.
WHO adds that many of the causes that lead to hearing loss can be avoided through public health strategies and clinical interventions.
“Prevention of hearing loss is essential throughout the life course, from prenatal and perinatal periods to older age.
“In children, nearly 60% of hearing loss is due to avoidable causes that can be prevented through implementation of public health measures. Likewise, most common causes of hearing loss in adults, such as exposure to loud sounds and ototoxic medicines, are preventable,” WHO adds.
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