Message from the KSLIA Chair February 2015


Message from the KSLIA Chair

February 2015

KSLIA is all of us. If KSLIA fails to deliver, it is all of us who have failed to deliver because the organization is simply our agent. We are the principals and our organization simply acts on our behalf. In a democratic dispensation, the organization is only one element co-existing in a social fabric of many varied organizations.

Members of an organization should share in the responsibility of joining with others to shape the future of the organization. As KSLIA members, we must take responsibility for the fate of our organization, in the end we will rejoice when we take the organization to the next level and achieve the progress that our hearts yearn for. This is what KSLIA leadership has endeavored to do together with those who mean well for the profession.

Therefore KSLIA office bearers act for the interests of the organization and not for personal interests. Where personal interests exist, the organizations’ interests must always carry the day. The current office bearers have therefore always acted for the interest of the organization. Some may not be pleased especially if they want to have their way. BUT anyone in our position would always do what the office demands i.e doing what is right to ensure the organizations’ interests always prevail.

Consequently, as an office, we may have rubbed some interpreters the wrong way as we execute our mandate BUT let it be clear to all of you that it is nothing personal. It is what the position we are in demands. It requires us to EXECUTE OUR MANDATE even when it doesn’t please everyone as long, as it is the right thing to do. This we will continue to do without fear or favour for the benefit of us all for it is the only way we can achieve the progress we yearn for.

THANK YOU and

God Bless you all

KSLIA National Chairperson


What is KSLIA?

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Central Business District, Nairobi, Kenya
KSLIA continues to support the establishment of a training program and a certification process for it's membership. 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.

Kenyan Interpreters

Kenyan Interpreters
KSLIA Members we appreciates you! every member is valuable. KSLIA endeavors to serve you and listen, for membership and welfare contact us here : KSLIA Membership and Welfare - info.kslia@gmail.com

Saturday, July 15, 2006

KSLIA Minutes 5th July 2006

Kenya Sign Language Interpreters (KSLIA) meeting held on 5th July 2006 at KSLRP 844 Building UoN.


Present
David Agondoa
Washington Akaranga
Akitsa Aggrey
Mary Njoki
David Lokorcholia
Simon Angira
Elizabeth Shiakamiri
Jane Muthoni
Miriam Eseme
Amos Wanyoike
Leonida Kaula
Lucy Atieno
Jefwa Mweri
Robert Mwirigi
Gathakari Judy
Mary Nzioka
Pricilla Mwangi
Anne Mwenesi
Jack Owiti
Christine Ondicho
Bedan Parimisa
Kariuki Catherine
Adhiambo Vickie

Apologies

Raphael Mbalo
Mercy Ngugi

Agenda

  1. Report from Present office/Officials
  2. WASLI
  3. Issues arising and way forward
  4. KSLIA – membership, officials, election of officials elections of regional representatives

AOB

  1. Training of Interpreters
  2. Interpreter remunerations

The meeting began some minutes after 10am.

The meeting began by the current officials giving an update of activities and progress since the registration of the association. It was noted by all present that since the elections in September of 2000 no major activities have taken place except the involvement of members in various forums and activities.

The current office bearers as the registrar’s records are as follows:-
  1. Chair – Jack Owiti
  2. Secretary – Mary Njoki
  3. Treasurer – Eunice Kasisi
These officials were elected to facilitate the formation and registration of an association for interpreters in Kenya. Since the registration there has been no major presence of the association. All present agreed to revive the association and move the agenda and objectives of the association for the interpreters’ profession to be recognized, visible and active in the Kenyan market. There are numerous issues affecting interpreters in Kenya and there is need for unity among the interpreters, vision and direction for the future of the profession in Kenya.

George Mweri attended the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) conference. The conference was held in South Africa in September 2005. The conference’s aim was to come up with a worldwide body for Sign Language Interpreters. His participation was as follows:-
  1. He was sponsored by the Finish Sign Language Interpreters Association
  2. He presented a country report on the KSLIA,
  3. Gained contacts from other associations
He reported that in that conference there was an election although no representative was elected for Africa. The conference discussed several issues affecting interpreters in Africa and the rest of the world. He has literature and other resources from the conference, which he has made available to the association offices. He also reported that since the conference Philemon Akatch is the vice chair of WASLI. Akatch is discussing the possibilities of having an African SLIA.

Issues arising – due to the low profile of the association many organizations do not know or recognize the interpreters body. Members present raised concerns about mushrooming of organizations purporting to train, certify and advocate for Kenyan interpreters without involving Kenyan interpreters. Such organization is Deaf AID which is working with KSDC hoping to train and certify interpreters – the members were shown a white paper proposal detailing the agenda of Deaf AID. Members resolved to have the Association write a letter to Deaf AID, the introduction letter will details our objectives and presence. George, Washington together with the Officials to schedule a meeting with Deaf AID. The meeting with Deaf AID was proposed tentatively to be on the 5th of August depending on their availability.

Members also mandated the officials to write letters to other organizations and government offices introducing the association and explaining our objectives and mandate. The organizations to be addressed include but are not limited to:-
UoN
Maseno University
KU
Machakos TTC
Kamagambo TTC
UDPK
KISE
KIE
UNDP
APDK
HI
CHESIRE International
KNAD
Liverpool VCT
WASLI
RID USA
GDC
KSDC
KNAD Branches
Deaf Churches in Kenya
Head of Civil Services
Social Services
Etc

On KSLIA membership it was reiterated that as the by laws states membership is open to practicing interpreters, sign language students and any other interested individuals or organizations. The membership fee is Ksh. 1000, members resolved to look at redefining the criteria for membership and reviewing the current by laws to be clear and concise. On KSLIA office bearers the meeting resolved that the current office bearers remain the same as follows:-
  1. Chair – Jack Owiti
  2. Secretary – Mary Njoki
  3. Treasurer – Eunice Kasisi
The meeting also resolved that regional representatives be elected to provide contact persons and representation of the regions. The regional representatives were proposed and elected as follows
  1. Western Region – Simon Angira
  2. Central Region – David Agondwa
  3. Coast Region – Elizabeth Mwamburi
  4. Nairobi Region – Victoria Adhiambo
  5. Jefwa Mweri – spokesperson for the association

The new officials were mandated to act on behalf of the association and given the necessary power and autonomy to advance the course of the association. Among the urgent issues to be embarked on by the office bearers include the following: -
  1. Circulate the minutes and other communications from the association
  2. Follow up on the critical issues agreed upon as action points
  3. Write introductory letters to all organizations working with or are associated with the Deaf Community and Interpreters.
  4. George and Jack will be following up with WASLI on collaboration issues
  5. Aggrey, Washington, David, Njoki and Jack to look at logo and letterhead samples
  6. Aggrey and the main officials will research banking options for the associations bank account. The members present resolved that once a suitable bank has been identified the officials are hereby given the mandate to open the bank account and report on the status by the next meeting.
  7. Officials will also formalize the relationship with KSLRP and the use of KSLRP facilities including offices, postal address and resource center.
  8. Officials will make payments for printing letterhead, registration of the logo, printing the receipt books, making stamp and purchase of stationary – files, papers etc
  9. Update records at the registrar’s office, register logo and colors, letter head etc
  10. Drafting, updating the TOR and professional ethics of Kenyan Interpreters.

AOB


Members asked the association to be proactive on notifying it’s members of the current trends, training and conference opportunities.

KSLRP will be organizing lectures on the responsibilities of the interpreters and the dates and venue will be communicated.

Members raised concerns about the variations and discrepancies on the remunerations of packages offered to interpreters for taking assignments. After long deliberations members agreed that the minimum rate per day for interpretation services will be Ksh. 2500. This rate applies to professional services and it is the minimum.


Due to the wanting financial situation of the association members contributed a total of Ksh. 2100 to be used for opening bank account, printing letterheads, etc George and Angira paid their membership fees Ksh. 1000 each. Members resolved to pay up their membership by the end of July.

With no other business the meeting adjourned with the next meeting fixed for the 12th of August 2006.


With no other business the meeting adjourned at 1pm.

Chair: _________________________ Signature: ____________________ Date:______________

Secretary: _________________________ Signature: ____________________ Date:______________


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This is the official KSLIA blog. It is a forum for information exchange and notice board for all interpreters working in Kenya. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information, links and articles are accurate and verified however KSLIA does not gurantee the correctness of the views expressed below esp. comments or personal views. KSLIA however appreciates any comments, suggestions and questions about it's activities in Kenya, Sign language, Deaf Culture and Interpreting. These can be forwarded to the KSLIA secretariat for further action. KSLIA (c) 2015.