Speech and hearing impaired graduates uplifted through vocational training

Pengevali Mukumangeni, a 29-year-old fledgling plumber with a speech and hearing impairment, says it is a special and proud moment for him and other trainees with disabilities to graduate despite the challenges they faced in order to achieve their qualifications. Pengevali was among over 400 trainees who received their certificates at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre in early September this year.

About 1000 trainees are expected to graduate from various vocational training centres countrywide. They completed their training between 2019 and June 2023, but no graduation ceremonies were hosted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mukumangeni said In his speech, which was interpreted by a sign language interpreter, that obtaining qualifications was not easy for the students with speech and hearing impairments, even more so because their course started when Covid-19 broke out. He expressed gratitude to the Namibian government for providing a conducive environment and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. "For us deaf graduates, we feel very proud and special because it was not easy to achieve this qualification.

But here we are today. We thank the Almighty God for helping us during the three years of training”, Mukumangeni said in sign language.

For us deaf graduates, we feel very proud and special because it was not easy to achieve this qualification.

Another trainee, Foibe Vilho, who obtained a certificate in automotive engineering, conceded that choosing a course where the majority of trainees is male, almost made her give up because she was doubting herself. She found engineering drawing challenging, but was always able to ask her classmates for assistance.

"I encourage people not to give up on their dreams. I almost did, because when I started, I told myself, this training is for guys and I won't make it. But I did make it. Look at me, I even went to World Skills Namibia”, Vilho said.

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