Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association - (KSLIA)

KSLIA Special AGM

2012-01-24T18:27:00.001+03:00

Dear Interpreter,

In accordance with the KSLIA constitution articles on Annual General Meetings and Special Meeting Clauses, that gives concerned members the mandate to call for and conduct a meeting on issues concerning the association, we being concerned members and as an official of KSLIA hereby call for a Special Annual General Meeting in the next 21 days starting from the date of this letter.

The meeting will take place on Feb 24 2012 at KNAD Offices on Twiga Towers off Murang’a Road from 10AM - 12Noon the agenda for the meeting will be as follows:

1. Review of previous period from last AGM to date

2. Election of officials

3. KSLIA future – opportunities 2012

4. KSLIA – KNAD cooperation

5. AOB

Please confirm your attendance by leaving a comment below.

Thanks

Founding Chair and Liaisons Officer

KSLIA – Restructuring Committee

Appreciation

2009-06-16T14:58:00.002+03:00

Thank You all for the contributions you made to make the funeral possible. Words can not express the gratitude the family and community had spoken last weekend in Oyugis. The best summary is " let us all embrace peace and reconciliation, take time before you approach a thorny issue and seek a constructive solution. Mzee Dominic contributed immensely to the development of many NADs in Sub Saharan Africa, let us honor the memory by building a stronger Deaf community in Kenya and the region"

Update on Mzee Dominic's burial

2009-05-27T12:21:00.004+03:00

FYI!

Yesterday the 1st meeting of friends from the Kenya Deaf community resolved that the Meetings will continue from Wednesday 27 May 2009 to Wednesday 10th June 2009 at Immanuel Church of the Deaf, 7th floor, Kenbanco House, Moi Avenue/Haile Selassie Avenue junction. Please, feel free to attend ot the said dates and also send your generous
contributions. Please, inform others in your wider network of friends and acquitances.

Dominic Ouma Majiwa passed away on Monday, May 25, 2009 in Nairobi. He is
a former Executive Officer of Kenya National Association of the Deaf
(KNAD) and the immediate past Director of the World Federation of the
Deaf, Regional Secretariat for Eastern and Southern Africa (WFD-RSESA).

Following are some condolence messages received from the disability movement

----- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/05/27 09:34:47
Subject: Fw:Re: Burial plans for Dominic Ouma Majiwa

I have received the news of the passing on of Majiwa with deep sadness.

I have known Majiwa as a Champion for Disability Rights for close to 20
years. He was always calm and dignified in his interactions with me and
others. Even when he disagreed with one of us, he did it with respect and
made it clear that he was dealing with the issue not the person. I learnt
many lessons from Majiwa.

May our God give his family His Peace that passes all understanding!

Majiwa, go in beauty! May you enjoy the company of the Saints!
Shalom, Salome �

----- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/05/27 10:23:55
Subject: Fw:RE: Burial plans for Dominic Ouma Majiwa

Dear colleagues and comrade,
On my own behalf and that of my family I wish to sincerely mourn my departed
comrade, whom I worked with for many years in the struggle for a barrier
free and inclusive society. It's sad that he passing on a time when the
fruits of what he fought for are just about to ripen, anyway that happens in
most struggles. As we mourn the death of Dominic, lets remember what he
stood for and scarified so much but more importantly note that indeed the
struggle is far from over; the disability act 2003 has not been implemented,
the UN convention may still follow the same path unless we go back to the
drawing board and restrategize, remain engaged, bado mabambano, lets soldier
on,mungu amueke ndugu yetu mahali pema peponi,fare thee well dear brother.
Phitalis Were Masakhwe �

----- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/05/28 16:28:15
Subject: Fw:Fw: Re: Burial plans for Dominic Ouma Majiwa

Hi all
We have received the news of the demise of our beloved colleague and champion of the disability issues! We join the family and friends in thanking god for the time we had with Majiwa and pray that we shall have his spirit continue to motivate us to champion issues affecting the Disabled without fear.
May God rest his soul in eternal peace.

Kindly keep us posted on the arrangwements.

Alex Munyere
Chairman - UDPK and Albinism Society of Kenya

----- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/05/29 09:28:16
Subject: Fw:RE: Re: Burial plans for Dominic Ouma Majiwa

Dear All,
Our condolences to the family, friends and the entire disability fraternity. May the almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace
Kennedy Akolo
Program Manager – Disability - VSO

Passing on of Mzee Dominic Ouma Majiwa - Founding Member of KNAD (Fathers of KNAD)

2009-05-26T15:24:00.002+03:00

It is with profound sorrow and shock that we announce the death of Dominic Ouma Majiwa. Dominic pass away yesterday at his home in Nairobi.

He was one of the founding members of Kenyan National Association of the Deaf - KNAD, Former Chair of KNAD, long serving chairperson of various committees within KNAD, Regional Secretariat for Eastern and Southern Africa RSESA - WFD project, a Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) Trainer/Mentor, Local Leader/Elder, a Father, a Husband, a Friend and a Brilliant Son of Kenya.

***********
The details of the funeral arrangements will follow as soon as the family releases official communication on the same.
************

Some of the work and times of Mzee Dominic Ouma are available here:

http://www.sdrf.se/sdr/object/files/obj_47207e69791c7.pdf

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17981253.html

http://asksource.ids.ac.uk/cf/display/bibliodisplay.cfm?ID=28560&db=keywords&display=full

We share in the sorrow and loss with the family, relatives and friends. May the Lord give the family peace and comfort.

Rest in Peace Mzee Dominic Ouma Majiwa

Posted by Webmaster!

Notice for KSLIA Annual General Meeting to be held on 21st March 2009

2009-03-01T22:18:00.000+03:00

Notice for KSLIA Annual General Meeting to be held on 21st March 2009

Dear Members/Stakeholders,

Notice hereby given for the meeting above. The meeting will be held at KSLRP offices at UoN Nairobi at 9am the agenda for this meeting are:-

1. Progress review 2008
2. Emerging issues and challenges
3. Ratification of the Code of Ethics/Standard business procedures/practice
4. WASLI Africa Rep update
5. Election of office bearers
6. 2009 plans

Please confirm you participation for the above meeting by sending and email or sms to the chair.

Thanks

at your service.

Jack Owiti,
Chairman, KSLIA.
Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association,
Working towards quality standards in Sign Language Interpretation.
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www.kslia.blogspot.com -The e-forum for Kenyan Interpreters!
____________________________________________________________________

Happy Holidays

2008-12-11T19:29:00.005+03:00

KSLIA wishes all its members, clients and supporters a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2009

Seasons Greetings from KSLIA

Thanks

2008-10-21T19:36:00.002+03:00

Thank You to the Deaf community in Kenya for the dignified send off for Solomon Kayia founding member of KNAD.

Thanks to our interpreters on the ground for the support and professional services rendered during the time.

May the Lord Rest Solomon's Soul in Eternal Peace.

peace

Chairman
KSLIA

Passing on of Solomon Kayia - Founding Member of KNAD

2008-10-06T11:16:00.000+03:00

Dear KSLIA Fraternity,

It is with profound sorrow that we communicate the passing of Mr. Solomon Kayia!

Our heartfelt condolences go to the family, friends and esp to Peninah Vulimu one of the long serving Interps and CODA.

On behalf of KSLIA we welcome you all to the funeral arrangement meetings at KENBANCO House 7th Floor opp Railway Station from 5pm for fundraising and funeral arrangements.

We need a couple of interps to be there for the meetings to interpret the meeting proceedings. We appreciate the team that interpreted this sundays meeting - Joseph, Elizabeth and Jane. A special request goes out for those who understand the Maragoli dialect to volunteer to be interps for the funeral day and the church services both here in Nairobi and the village. Please get intouch with the chair on 0723343516.

May the Lord rest Solomon's soul in eternal peace! His dream for an accessible society for the Deaf Kenyans lives on! His heritage and legacy will shine on beyond his years on this earth!

peace

Jack Owiti
Chairman, KSLIA.
Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association,
Working towards quality standards in Sign Language Interpretation.

KSLIA National Forum

2008-07-18T12:28:00.006+03:00

KSLIA National Forum 2008

KENYA SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS’ ASSOCIATION - KSLIA
And

GLOBAL DEAF CONNECTION (KENYA)

with funding from

USAID

KSLIA NATIONAL FORUM

2008-07-18T12:06:00.003+03:00

Highlights .........here are some notes from the meeting and final report.

Prior to 2004, the Deaf community was highly critical of the individual interpreters who were only thinking about making money. Instead the deaf asked for higher quality in interpreters. The deaf felt exploited. From here emerged a need for training of interpreters. The curriculum began to be developed.

There is competition between interpreters about the same jobs. Interpreters are working alone and in isolation.

Interpreters have their specific area, which they protect and work in.

There is a need for fieldwork around the country to collect the sign used in the different regions in order to develop and expand Kenyan sign language.

There have been interpreters trained in Nordic countries, but when they returned to Kenya, they did not sharing the knowledge they achieved. There is lack of cooperation between Deaf community (consumers) and interpreters (service providers)

Many deaf people have problems with interpreters. One problem is that many Deaf are lowly paid and can’t afford fee for interpreters. There are also problems with educational levels between interpreters and deaf that creates difficulties with communication.

In 2007, Deaf Aid, a Norwegian NGO with a strong country presence in Kenya, sponsored the first writing workshop held in Nairobi (Rosa Mystica conference centre). All major stakeholders were represented, including the Ministry of Education, KIE, KNAD and KSLRP. Representatives from Deaf Associations across the country also participated. The first draft was successfully negotiated through the KIE Course Panel.

On 8th and 9th May 2008, the KIE academic board was expected to review and make a decision on the final draft of the curriculum, after which it will be published.

KNEC is the proposed examiner and the trainers proposed are the current interpreters;

The curriculum is designed for the award of a Diploma in KSL Interpreting, after 2,880 hours of course work, and spread over two years.

The full Report will be availed soon

We are in the process of organizing for the first ever Interpreters Mentoring Workshop in August of 2008.

JaChair,
KSLIA

Jotes from the just concluded 2008 National Interps Forum

2008-04-25T10:07:00.002+03:00

That was one bundle of FUN!!!!

Thank you all for showing up at the GDC sponsored national forum! it was great to hungout with everyone, the music, the dancing, the chatting and venting!!! I am still waiting for the final report to share with you.

Steve and Monica are working on the final report of the forum plus the photos.

Lets roll our sleeves and begin to WORK - As if we have not been working!!!!! you might be saying....BUT we have a million things to do, I invite you all to get working!

For more info on how you can be involved -

kslia_chairman@yahoo.com

we are on facebook too..... just search KSLIA or KSLIA forum

have a great Labor Day

JaChair!

NEW YEAR NEW THINGS

2008-03-17T14:39:00.002+03:00

Dear Interp,

Welcome to the New Year 2008, our association activities began in slow motion mode for the better part of the first two months. We were affected by the political crisis of which all of you are aware of and had to cancel the National Forum for all Interps in Kenya.

Things are looking up and we are regaining calm and peace countrywide.

In this newness there are several new things we need to keep in mind.

1. National forum will definately happen in April/May
2. KSLIA quarterly meeting April/May
3. JKUAT is recruiting for a Diploma in Sign Language Course - please see press for details, you can also visit their Waiyaki Way town campus for more details.

Keep reading this postings, we are working on making it more appealing and relevant to your needs.

thanks,

Chairman

Working with Sign Language Interpreters

2007-07-09T10:56:00.000+03:00

Here are some guidelines........

Interpreters’ Professional Code of Ethics

A Sign Language Interpreter Will:

1) Maintain Confidentiality
2) Demonstrate Ethical Business practices
a. To be on time
b. To be dependable
c. To dress appropriately
d. To be discrete
e. To be honest
f. To be environmentally – friendly
g. To charge reasonable fees
h. To declare and avoid conflicts of interest

3) Convey the spirit and intent of the message
a. To meet the consumers linguistic needs

4) Maintain respect for the consumer
a. To maintain professional distance
b. To provide advocacy and information

5) Remain impartial
a. Do not give personal opinion during interpreting assignment

6) Continue Professional Development
7) Conform to the Code of Ethics

DRAFT #1
September 3, 2006
Sign Language Interpreting Workshop, Machakos

Press Release!

2007-07-09T10:36:00.000+03:00

In compliance with the Persons with Disabilities ACT 2003 Kenyan Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) would like to enlighten the general public of it’s mandate and mission in provision of quality Interpretation services to the Deaf community in Kenya.

KSLIA was registered in 2000 under the Societies Act with the goal of providing quality interpretation services to the Deaf community in Kenya. KSLIA will strive to reach this goal by focusing on the following objectives:
1. KSLIA will maintain a registry of qualified and practicing interpreters in Kenya. KSLIA will continually maintain a high level of professionalism by enforcing the Interpreter code of ethics, continuing education and a license maintenance program for all its membership.
2. KSLIA in collaboration with like-minded stakeholders will establish a research, training, certification and regulatory process for accrediting interpreters in Kenya.
3. KSLIA will strive to form networks and forums for its members to exchange ideas, best practices and mentoring as part of its activities
4. KSLIA will develop information, education and communication materials on issues of Deafness, Sign language, Deaf Education, Deaf Culture and Heritage, establish resource centers for information sharing and dissemination.

Since its formation KSLIA in partnership with local and international organizations has facilitated the training and certification of 20 interpreters in Kenya. KSLIA has drafted and adopted a code of ethics, continues to update its registry of interpreters, organizing interpreter trainings and forging new alliances gearing to reach its goal.

Exciting times lay ahead and the work of KSLIA will now look at working towards the provision of quality interpretation services, providing equal access to information, education, communication and other essential social services to the Kenyan Deaf community.

Chairman, KSLIA.

Visit us at www.kslia.blogspot.com Email: kslia_chairman@yahoo.com

KSLIA providing quality professional interpretation service!!

KSLIA the journey - Reflections from the April Interpreters Training

2007-05-15T08:52:00.000+03:00

Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association was set up by a group of 20 local interpreters after a training by the first Deaf Education US Peace Corps Volunteers in September of 2000. Prior to this training there were several short term trainings conducted by KSLRP/KNAD dating back to 1980s and 1990s. Several Interpreters were trained in interpretation theories and code of ethics. These core interpreters from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia later replicated that training to their counterparts and it was hoped that these efforts would result in a stronger force of interpreters. Development in the other countries are hard to trace, however, in Kenya those efforts have been translated into an association. Like many countries in the world, interpreters in Kenya are rarely available, usually seen as('unqualified') due to the fact that most are usually friends to the Deaf, family members or teachers of the Deaf and largely there is a deficiency due to the lack of a training program/certification process.

KSLIA is an indigenous initiative evolving and strengthening the face of the Interpreting profession in Kenya. Kenya has a huge interpreter community that is active and isolated. Many Interpreters are working in various settings all over the country with little or no formal Interpreter training. KSLIA is in the forefront advocating for the establishment and sustaining of training programs all over Kenya. KSLIA hopes to improve and elevate the standards of Interpreting in Kenya through the following objectives:

a)To secure official recognition of interpreting profession by the Government, various service providers and the general public

b)Encourage and promote initiatives in improving the standards of interpreting and interpreter training and pay scale of interpreters depending with their level and skills of interpretation through certification.

c)Cooperation with other recognized bodies concerned in the welfare of the deaf and in provision of S.L Interpreters throughout the world.

d)Awareness creation on Deafness and Interpreting through publication of information materials

e)To collect and raise funds for the achievement of goals and objectives through membership fee, subscription, contribution, gifts or donations, commissions and payments, fund raising whether in money or otherwise from both members and non members.

f)To maintain and administer a registry of Interpreters in Kenya, including certification and license maintenance procedures.

g)Enforce a code of ethics and mediate conflict between the Interpreters and their clients.

KSLIA is working towards the establishment of a training program and a certification process for it's membership.

Global Deaf Connection (GDC), Deaf Aid (KRITD project), and KSLIA have set up the second national workshop for KSL/English interpreters in April 2007. This brought together more than 15 Interpreters from all over the country, the workshop's focus was on "Interpreting: Theory into Practice" this workshop was a follow up to the training held in August 2006 in Machakos. Further to this there is the final phase of the training to be conducted in December 2007. These training have been sponsored by GDC through a USAID grant with additional contributions from Deaf AID and KSLIA.

As a result of these trainings and the training needs assessments and feedback received from participants, there is a great need for a fully fledged training program focusing on all aspects of Interpreting from Language training, actual interpreting, various skills needed to the code of ethics. KSLIA will be in the steering wheel to ensure that the views, needs and aspirations of the Kenyan Interpreters are articulated and addressed by future trainings.

KSLIA envisions its role in a three pronged approach - the three C's - Certification of members, Continuing education for the practicing Interpreters and Conflict resolution through enforcement of the Code of Ethics.