By Sariba Manneh
The Gambia Deaf, Arts and Culture will present the ‘Mr and Miss Deaf’ Gambia pageant contest on Sunday, 23 October 2023. The said organization, which is a non-profit organization, pledges to empower, enhance and support the growing community of deaf women and men.
Adama Jammeh, Chairperson of the Deaf Arts and Culture Organisation of the Gambia, said their organization is committed to excellence by providing a platform for contestants to demonstrate not only their unique talents, intellect and beauty, but their overall personal and humanitarian goals.
“The esteemed winners of the competition will represent The Gambia in Tanzania for ‘Mr and Miss Deaf Africa beauty pageant as Ambassador of the Deaf community,” she said.
She said the legacy initiative serves to amplify the voice of the deaf which will enable them to experience a transformational journey through leadership, personal and skills development programmes.
Lamin D. Sonko, head of sign language interpreters in the Gambia, said the ‘Miss, Mr and Mrs Deaf’ Gambia, aims to provide avenues for deaf people in The Gambia, to improve their self-esteem and confidence and guide them on using their entrepreneurial skills by raising funds for themselves.
He said the pageant’s vision is to see the country’s deaf society develop through the medium of the beauty and entertainment industry, enhancing self-discipline, confidence, freedom of culture and presenting opportunities, by empowering them through competition.
“This way, when the competition is over, they can use their skills to make a living for themselves and improve their work ethics. We want to empower the deaf community and to build a bridge between the deaf or hard of hearing, and those who can hear,” he added.
