OUR MISSION
AFSLI seeks to promote the Development of a Pan-Africa organization where every sign language interpreter is educated within the context of Africa Deaf community for effective and efficient service delivery which will promote the recognition of the profession and better rewarding system.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to build an organization where the profession of sign language interpreting is recognised and respected.
HISTORY
The first gathering of sign language interpreters in Africa to design a common interest for sign language interpreters in Africa took place in Durban South Africa 2011. During the meeting, the Africa Regional Representative, Samuel Begumisa, welcomed all members present. He expressed his gratitude and thanked members for entrusting him to represent the Africa Region and/or continent in the WASLI Board for the four year term. Mr. Begumisa further called on countries and associations to critically interrogate their goals and to share experiences, challenges and achievements for the development of sign language development and sign language interpretation in Africa.
The point of having sub-regional representatives and sub-committees for major activities like Training and Certification, Establishment of National Associations, Empowerment of Deaf and Hearing Interpreters was raised and approved. It was resolved that Africa should be divided as follows:
WEST AFRICA | EAST AFRICA | CENTRAL AFRICA | SADC |
---|---|---|---|
Nigeria | Kenya | Cameroon | Botswana |
Ghana | Uganda | Congo Brazzaville | South Africa |
Burkina Faso | Tanzania | DRC | Namibia |
Senegal | Ethiopia | Central Africa Republic | Mozambique |
Ivory Coast | Rwanda | Angola | Lesotho |
Liberia | Burundi | Malawi | Swaziland |
Mali | South Sudan | Zambia | |
Chad | North Sudan | Zimbabwe |