Signs of Life

Sign language is not something most people in the western world think twice about, but to those in remote, developing communities, sign language is generally a new and much needed form of communication.
In the small PNG village of Hula, two young deaf girls struggle to be heard and have only developed basic communication skills within their homes. Katey, 8, and Ema, 9, have been deaf since birth and, as a result of their limited communication, have had no access to education and a bleak outlook for their future.
A few weeks ago, a YWAM team visited Hula and was introduced to Katey and Ema. Jacob Newman, one of the volunteers, saw the opportunity to use his sign language skills to teach Katey and Ema the concept of sign language in the hopes to improve the communication within their homes. Over his two week stay, Jacob was able to teach the girls and their families signs for names, actions, and items around the house; Katey and Ema were incredibly receptive. It quickly dawned on them that they too have the ability to communicate and that there is a way for them to express their needs and emotions. Jacob also spent time working with the girls’ parents, preparing them to continue teaching Katey and Ema after his departure from Hula.
Not only do Katey and Ema now have a foundation to develop better communication, but their hopes to receive an education have also been restored. Jacob is arranging to send teaching resources to the local school in Hula so that the girls can continue learning with the support of their parents and local teachers. He hopes that they will soon be re-integrated into the schooling system, which will expand their opportunities for the future. Katey’s father believes that these girls are already eye-openers in their community, where only a few weeks ago, deaf people were regarded as a lost cause.
Both Katey’s father and Jacob hope to raise awareness of this need and call teachers to go to these locations, bringing the opportunity of education to those who otherwise would go without.