Something Gained

2021

Dione Manjoro says she was born deaf but can hear some sounds if they are very, very loud. She prefers to sign as her own speech is not very clear.
Dione Manjoro says she was born deaf but can hear some sounds if they are very, very loud. She prefers to sign as her own speech is not very clear.
“I am 21-years-old and I have a twin sister, she is Diana and I’m Dione... Our mother moved to South Africa for work a few years ago and my dad is late now... I live with my mother’s family now, with my aunt who is holding me in this photo of me as a baby. We are a nice family.”
“I am 21-years-old and I have a twin sister, she is Diana and I’m Dione... Our mother moved to South Africa for work a few years ago and my dad is late now... I live with my mother’s family now, with my aunt who is holding me in this photo of me as a baby. We are a nice family.”
Dione wishes more people could sign, especially in public places. She has been teaching her friend, Belinda, to sign and she now helps Dione communicate.
Dione wishes more people could sign, especially in public places. She has been teaching her friend, Belinda, to sign and she now helps Dione communicate.
When Dione's high school [Mufakose High One] told her, she could not proceed to 'A' level because they did not have a class for her, she started learning to dance. She says it makes her very happy, especially because she is able to earn some money with the dance group she belongs to.
When Dione's high school [Mufakose High One] told her, she could not proceed to 'A' level because they did not have a class for her, she started learning to dance. She says it makes her very happy, especially because she is able to earn some money with the dance group she belongs to.
“If the music is loud enough or if I hold it very close to my ear, I can catch the beat, then I can dance to it. This is how I know what dance to do, I need to know the beat first.”
“If the music is loud enough or if I hold it very close to my ear, I can catch the beat, then I can dance to it. This is how I know what dance to do, I need to know the beat first.”
Dione is pictured practicing for a performance to celebrate International Day For Person’s with Disabilities. “I am happiest when I dance," she says, "Now I dance with Tamba Africa, we put on performances about things like gender based violence...I believe deaf is beautiful.”
Dione is pictured practicing for a performance to celebrate International Day For Person’s with Disabilities. “I am happiest when I dance," she says, "Now I dance with Tamba Africa, we put on performances about things like gender based violence...I believe deaf is beautiful.”
David Graham started to lose his hearing in about 2000. His recent stroke made his hearing difficulty more apparent. "I’m a fan of classical and traditional jazz," he says, "and for a while [before hearing aids] I could hear the drums mainly.. but things like the violin are more difficult.”
David Graham started to lose his hearing in about 2000. His recent stroke made his hearing difficulty more apparent. "I’m a fan of classical and traditional jazz," he says, "and for a while [before hearing aids] I could hear the drums mainly.. but things like the violin are more difficult.”
Mr Graham had forgotten he could hear different bird calls until recently, when he acquired hearing aids which enabled him to hear the different birds again. He wonders if they could improve his hearing in situations where there is a crowd of people.
Mr Graham had forgotten he could hear different bird calls until recently, when he acquired hearing aids which enabled him to hear the different birds again. He wonders if they could improve his hearing in situations where there is a crowd of people.
“I have loved running the Whitehorse. I love this garden, the flowers especially. I can name almost every flower in this garden.”
“I have loved running the Whitehorse. I love this garden, the flowers especially. I can name almost every flower in this garden.”
“A lot of people tend to shout, that’s not necessary. What I need is clarity, not just more volume. I would like people to understand that.”
“A lot of people tend to shout, that’s not necessary. What I need is clarity, not just more volume. I would like people to understand that.”
Mr Graham ended up in the Vumba in the 1970s, while on holiday visiting South Africa, where his father is from. He says, "I ended up staying, and when I got the opportunity to buy the Whitehorse Inn in 1980 I did. I’d always dreamed of a house with a large garden with a creek on it’s edge and that is exactly what I got”
Mr Graham ended up in the Vumba in the 1970s, while on holiday visiting South Africa, where his father is from. He says, "I ended up staying, and when I got the opportunity to buy the Whitehorse Inn in 1980 I did. I’d always dreamed of a house with a large garden with a creek on it’s edge and that is exactly what I got”
↑Back to Top