Alicia Masango was born deaf but does not see herself as someone with a disability.
Alicia mother said her daughter was active from her very young age.
“She always wanted to learn new things and got irritated when
people did not understand what she said using her not understand sign language,” added the mother.
Alicia attended the local creche and began her schooling at Marietjie Special School.
Ms Masango said the school by that time did not have a deaf teacher.
Alicia mother discovered a school for deaf children in Gauteng and she immediately enrolled her daughter.
She also informed another parent of a deaf child who did not hesitate to register her child.
“When my daughter arrived at Dominican School for the Deaf, she was excited to see other children
using sign language and I also noticed relief from her side that she now joined other children who are like her,” said the mother.
Alicia became one of the best performers from her first grade at Dominican and also participated in different sports activities.
Last year she was the best overall achiever in mathematics and also represented Gauteng province at the
national chess championships that took place during the second week of January 2018 at Boksburg.
Her mother encouraged other
parents who have deaf children and other disabilities not to give up on their children’s future.
“They should try and enroll their
children at the best schools, which will unleash their potential.”
Ms Masango further mentioned that children who attend school at
Dominican from eMbalenhle are now 17 in numbers and also call for other parents who did not know about the school to register their children.
According to Ms Masango, the school is affordable and parents can use the children grant money to better their education.
Alicia mother said it is a pity that there is no deaf school within Govan Mbeki Municipality.
“As parents of deaf children from eMbalenhle, we went to the province to find out why there is no school for our children this side,” concluded Ms Masango who further mentioned that the Mpumalanga Department of
Education failed to give them answers.
Alicia said she wants to be a doctor.
The Grade 7 learner also encouraged other people to learn the sign language.