Mbulelo Mpofu,Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
The Sign Language Interpreter Trust (SLIT), in partnership with Ecobeads Africa and the City of Bulawayo Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), came together to celebrate Deaf Awareness Month at Amakhosi Cultural Centre on Tuesday.
The event highlighted the talents of the deaf community through music, dance, drama, and climate change lessons in sign language, aligning with the 2025 International Week of Deaf People theme: “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights”.
Deaf Awareness Month, observed every September, aims to raise understanding of the unique communication needs and vibrant identities of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Ecobeads Africa showcased its innovative approach of turning discarded materials into beautiful beadwork. Their initiative, “Eco Beads: Deaf Youth Reclaiming the Youth Through Art”, combines youth-led awareness, education, research, and development with recycling and waste-to-art initiatives in urban Bulawayo. The project was selected for the Microgrants under the City of Bulawayo YCAF Round.
Earlier this month, Michael Zowa, project lead at Ecobeads, collaborated with SLIT to incorporate the deaf community into climate action through art. Participants transformed discarded items such as Jacaranda seeds, plastic bottle bottoms, and old CDs into striking jewellery, promoting resourcefulness, environmental care, and practical skills like waste collection and sorting.
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