Tendekayi Katsiga

Hearing Screening in Maxixe Primary School,Mozambique

Tendekayi

Katsiga

Country of residence

Botswana

Age

Job category

Self-employed

Sector of Activity

Private sector

Type of Impairment

Hearing

Extent of Impairment

Mild

My top 3 facilitators

Assistive devices and personal assistance

I received a solar powered hearing aids, which assisted me to develop my speech and hearing. Therefore presenting me with an opporturnity to attend school. The batteries are recharged by the sun and the lifespan is 3 years.

Education

Education has enabled me to break the cycle of poverty. I have managed to gain employment and also provide for my collegues who are hearing impaired.

Laws, Policies and Institutions

We took the initiative and partnered with First National Bank (FNB) Botswana where it trained bank tellers countrywide to sign language in order to assist with bank-related functions. As a result, deaf communities in Botswana that were previously unbanked were able to access banking services. With the support of First National Bank of Botswana, we developed the first HIV/AIDS book in Sign Language. We managed to reduce HIV/AIDS transmission rate form 38% to 10% in deaf communities.

We advocated for a sign language interpreter on National Television and the government of Botswana changed its policy and made it mandatory for all the programs on National Television Broadcasting to always have a sign language Interpreter.

My Journey

08.2002 - 02.2003

Developed affordable Solar Powered Hearing Aid

Read more information

Life’s calling moments happens at any time. Mine took place 10 years ago, when l met a boy called John in a mall. John brought a newspaper to me, he wanted to know the contents of the newspaper. My mind wondered why a 12 year old boy could not read a newspaper. In the midst of our pivotal moment, l realized that John is hearing impaired. For a moment, l was frozen.
Out of curiosity l visited John’s school and realized that John goes to a deaf school. The school has been a recipient of Hearing Aids through Non-Governmental Organisations. The hearing aids were only used for a month. Due to the problem that the batteries were not available and the batteries are expensive. People would rather buy bread than buy hearing aid batteries. Deaftronics is a company that assembles and provides solar rechargeable hearing aids and accessories and other support services such as training and repairs. Our products provide children with the ability to learn to listen develop speech.

Tendekayi Katsiga Biography

Deaftronics Website