Meerkats and cubs from 1st Edenvale and 1st St Benedicts Cub Pack spent a meaningful few hours at the Max Ordman Deaf Association (MODA) on September 23, the International Day of Sign Languages.
MODA is housed at Rand Aid’s Thembalami Care Centre in Lombardy East and provides a full-time home to older deaf people.
The visiting cubs, under the leadership of Pack Scouter Desiree Hogan, learnt some basic sign language by showing residents printed words, such as ‘father’, ‘mother’, ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ and asking the residents to teach them the sign language version.
“They then spent time interacting with and playing games with the residents,” says Esme van der Walt of Thembalami and MODA. “The parents brought cakes and other treats, which were enjoyed by all, and Miss Deaf SA Monequ Edwards also popped in.”
The UN General Assembly proclaimed September 23 as the International Day of Sign Languages in 2017 to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realisation of the human rights of people who are deaf.
In July, sign language became South Africa’s 12th official language.
A happy gathering of young and old spent a meaningful few hours together.
Evan Pantazis and Joel Chibvongodze with resident Gail Lester.
Kent Wang, Callum Olivier and Quadir Gierdien interact with resident Sydney Le Sueur.
Blake Backos and resident Pieter van der Westhuizen.
Barry Waldeck, Lesley Nuyten, Lidia Elliott and cub Leandro Figueira.
Evan and Ericson Hogan with resident Basil McIntyre and Desiree Hogan.
