Events
Key Milestones & Events
2021 Parents of the Deaf Workshop
In a bid to tackle the varying issues that plague the deaf community, Botswana Society for the Deaf has recently formed the “Parents of the deaf Association”. The formation of this association was intended to create a psychosocial support system for parents of the deaf, many a times BSD has noted incidences whereby parents who discover that their children are deaf tend to struggle to adjust to the life changing condition, this struggle then affects the deaf in the sense that young members of the deaf community do not receive full and adequate support from their guardians and primary care givers.
The Parents of the deaf sign language workshop was held at Ramotswa Center for Deaf Education, attended by over 30 guardians who engaged in discussions and engaging activities intended to capacitate them to offer the best care to their children.
Each year, the workshop is held between the North and South regions interchangeably.
Life Events in the Deaf Community
Over the years, various life events and activities have happened within the deaf community, this is testament to the fact that the deaf despite their challenges can live active & fruitful lives. BSD has since 2019 supported 3 marriages within the deaf community:
- Mr & Mrs Kealeboga from Kanye in 2019
- Mr &Mrs Nage from Mogobane 2021
- Mr &Mrs from Serowe in 2021
On the same note, BSD has supported (7) families in offering dignified funerals for members of the deaf community being:
- Mr Wantlha Bakwadi
- Mr Batho Zambo Gaananoge
- Ms Gadifelle Gontse Shoo Module
- Mr Thabang Mokao
May Their Souls Rest In Peace
Courtesy visit of the First Lady to RCDE
On the 10th of September 2020, the First Lady of the Republic of Botswana Mma Atsile visited RCDE, her visit was indeed a nod of approval to BSD for the work done in deaf advocacy and empowerment, during her visit, she donated a sewing machine to BSD and highlighted that the efforts and strides taken are recognized and seen.
For the team and staff of RCDE, the visit was highly welcome as it further creates awareness on BSD and the two centers, Furthermore the Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security and MP for Ramotswa also visited the centre.
Deaf Awareness Week - 2019
Deaf Awareness week is one of the most important international commemorations for the deaf community globally, understandably so, this week stands as a hallmark event on the annual calendar of BSD. Throughout the period of 2019-2021 BSD has without fail assured a dignified recognition of the week. In 2019 the commemorations were held at RCDE officiated by the director of people living with disabilities at the office of the President. The event highlighted the need to honor and recognizes the deaf community, their culture as well as the accomplishments and issues as the deaf in Botswana. Within that week commemorations were centered on promoting the positive aspects of deafness and the social inclusion of the people it affects, and raises awareness of the importance of meaningful connections and effective communication for people who suffer from hearing impediments
Empowered to vote.
A flagship event that focused on democratic inclusion of the deaf in Botswana, BSD pioneered the Empowered to Vote event which took place on the 15th of November 2018 at the University of Botswana. The key objective of the event was for the deaf community of Botswana to be empowered to vote through extensive knowledge of the benefits of voting and what each political party in Botswana has to offer.
The event rationale was based on observations made by BSD that led to the realization that there is gap in the information that the Deaf community receives in being politically knowledgeable with basic voting rights and procedures as well as party manifestos.
