Miss Deaf Africa 2021, Josephine Kiden, has called on South Sudanese to learn sign language to increase the participation of the deaf community in nation-building.
Kiden decried the communication gap caused by people’s lack of knowledge of sign language, noting that one of the biggest challenges facing the deaf in South Sudan is that many people do not know how to use it.
She said opening schools for sign language would improve interaction between people with hearing impairments and the rest of society.
“Before I became Miss Deaf Africa, I struggled to interact with others, and sometimes we could only communicate through writing,” she said.
“At times, people didn’t want me to join them because they assumed I couldn’t contribute to the conversation.”
Kiden revealed that the Ustratuna Center is the only institution offering sign language training in Juba.
“If you have a child with hearing difficulties at home, take them to Ustratuna to learn the basics of sign language for easier communication. Those who want to study sign language should go there, as we have a few interpreters available,” she explained.
Kiden also appealed to South Sudan to reserve parliamentary seats for persons with disabilities to promote inclusive governance.
“In five years, I hope to see reserved seats in parliament for people with special needs. This would lead to specialized committees advocating for their rights in the House,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to her sign language teacher, Grace, who volunteers to help the deaf community.
“Grace works with me all the time without asking for payment, and that makes me happy,” Kiden said.
She urged people with disabilities across South Sudan to organize themselves to amplify their voices.
Kiden, 27, survived a shooting by unknown gunmen in Juba in 2022 while returning home from a workshop.
Despite growing up in poverty—crushing rocks to support her family as a child—Kiden rose to prominence through perseverance.
“My family was very poor. When I was young, I sometimes sold stones to buy food and pay school fees,” she recalled.
“I began attending workshops and occasionally received assistance. After finishing school, I saved money from workshop stipends to help my family.”
Kiden has traveled internationally to learn different sign languages and gain new skills. She urged the government to uphold international conventions on the rights of people with special needs.