Peter narrated his story in sign language, “I was born able to hear clearly, until at age of 7 years old. In my third term of primary two, I was attacked by malaria which was so severe that I spent two and a half months in a coma!”
“Upon discharge from the hospital, I sensed rapid acceleration in loss of my hearing… I would experience a lot of noise coming from my inner ears and through my mind, then… silence. I was officially declared deaf.”
Manoeuvring challenges at school
The following year, my concerned parents took me back to my former school to continue my education. This became a dilemma in my life since I was the only deaf pupil in the entire school. Seeing my friends unable to talk or play with me because they were not sure how to approach the deaf version of me was harsh and painful.
I got upset multiple times whenever they forced me to talk or when the teachers would separate me from my friends who used to help me during class assessments. School life was not easy for me, I would only base on the written notes. I would miss most of the information spoken by the teachers during class periods which I could not lip-read, and worse during exams period.
When I reached primary seven my parents transferred me to the school for the deaf. Here I learnt sign language and sat for my Primary Leaving Examination. I passed well before I joined a Special Needs Secondary School for the deaf. There I sat for my Ordinary Level or Universal Certificate of Education (UCE). I passed well but unfortunately, we had no college or university to enrol into.
My parents wanted me to join carpentry, but that was not my dream
At this point my parents wanted me to join carpentry school but I declined because it was not my dream. I struggled with my parents around that debate because their choice was not in line with my desired goal and purpose in life.
After four years, I got the opportunity to join the Advanced level of secondary school. Unfortunately, my previous results were not enough for me to attain the appropriate combination. Thus, I was forced to repeat my Senior Three. I gave it my whole heart, and I sat for my Universal Certificate of Education at Ngora High School Uganda (Hearing school). This school was inclusive of deaf students, and we were assisted by interpreters throughout learning.
After I sat for my Uganda Certificate of Education. It took me two years to know my actual results. When my results came out, the teacher told my father someone else’s results, who had failed that exam. This upset him so much that he declined to pay the outstanding school fees balance.
I worked hard to get transport fares to visit that school to see my results because I couldn’t believe what my father was told. When I saw them, I discovered that I had actually passed well. I excitedly returned home to start casual work for example digging for people, splitting firewood, selling water in hotels, fishing, helping builders and other menial jobs to fundraise contributions to enable me to go back to school.
Then I moved to Kampala alone to search for another school. I discovered Wakiso Secondary School for the deaf. I enrolled in the middle of the second term in Senior Five, and in the same term I emerged among the best students in the class!
Sadly, I lost my father in the next term. It hurt so much, but I had to let it go. At the end of that year, I sat for my S.6 examination and emerged top in the class. I was awarded a scholarship to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree at Kyambogo University.
"My parents wanted me to join carpentry school but I declined because it was not my dream. I struggled with my parents around that debate because their choice was not in line with my desired goal and purpose in life."
Navigating the job market
After graduation, looking for a job was not easy. I resorted to volunteering at Seeta Church of Uganda Primary School as a deaf lesson guide to earn a living. This was until I encountered Light for the World and I was added to the database of graduate jobseekers with disabilities. A vacancy for a Human Resource intern at Solar Now Service (U) Ltd, was shared through Light for the World. I applied and luckily, was invited for an interview. I started to panic but I kept remembering the lessons I learnt from the soft skills training for interviews by Abenaitwe Lydia of Light for the World – she motivated us.
During the interview, I gathered my confidence and answered all the questions. Later I learnt that I passed the interview and was given the approval to start the training! Throughout my experience at Solar Now, I mastered the functionalities of the computer and was trained on how to use HRMIS. I was a quick learner.
After seven years I got promoted to full-time permanent Human Resource Assistance. I worked here for two years before my contract was terminated due to redundancy and Covid-19 staff cuts. I was then transferred to the Department of Recovery where I worked as a Recovery Officer before the project was closed.
I became jobless again until I met Shamim Walusimbi during Light for the World’s Career Fair for job seekers with disabilities. She is a Global Recruitment Consultant. She facilitated a session on the employability of job seekers with disabilities. I kept in touch with her after the Fair and kept reaching out for possible job opportunities. A few months later, she advised me to apply for a temporary freelance recruitment consultant opportunity at Aldelia Global Manpower. I was interviewed by the Global Human Resource Manager and I passed!
I joined Aldelia on a three months contract. The contract was extended for another three months until I was blessed to be offered a permanent contract as a Global Recruitment Consultant.
This success is owed to my team at Aldelia, for being tireless in understanding me despite the language barrier, and being there for each other. I thank Shamim my supervisor, Lairah, Sumayah, Denise, Saudah, Joanta, Kadia, Pierre and our wonderful CEO, Cedric Filletfor the collaboration.
I appreciate the entire staff of Light for the World and the former Solar Now Service (U) Ltd HR Department Managers. Their kindness was the only language I could hear and it opened my eyes to see all my hidden abilities.
I am ready to outperform any targets set for me, and make a lasting impact which will be felt for generations to come- so help me God.
