Education is of different categories, either western, religious or skill education.

Whichever one chooses to acquire knowledge, one must go through a teacher-facilitator. So everyone stands at a better chance to contribute to the development of the society in   any way that fit the society they are in. This is one of the reasons that make essential components of education to be of quality and standards. As everyone would like to contribute its quota to the development of his or her community, it is important that information reaches to every body, which of course is not limited to the able bodied alone but also people with disabilities (PWDs).

Talking about how information get to PWDs, people with hard of hearing are important in this regard. This is what inspired Women's Weekly, on this week's edition, to choose one among the important people of society - one helping people with hard of hearing, as our guest.  Khaddijatou Bojang, an interpreter working with the Gambia Association of the Deaf and Heard of Hearing (GADHOH) at Kanifing, is an indefatigable lady who can effectively interprete to the heard of hearing. In an interview with this reporter in GADHOH's office at Kanifing, during Women's Weekly anchor's  visit to the complex, the admirable interpreter said: "I am very happy and enjoy being with them."

Khaddijatou Bojang said it took her two years to complete sign language training at the school situated in Brikama. According to her, with no time,  she secured a job with GADHOH as a full time staff immediately after her course. Narrating how she became sign language interpreter, she said that since deaf people belong to a linguistic minority, so the language of the deaf community is 'sign language.' According to her, a neighbour inspired her. "I was interested in sign language through a man who lived in the neighbourhood some years back. I always see him with 'Hard of hearing book one' and sometimes make the sign." She added that the man encouraged her and she  got interested in it.

Her interest, with strong determination on the course, was clearly displayed when she submitted attachment letter to the training center. "During the interview, I was asked if I would like to be a secretary since I studied secretarial studies [but I]  answered in the negative, that I want to learn sign language so that I can become an interpreter," Khaddijatou clearly remembered her answer to the interviewer. During her training course, she was the only female student among the lot. As bed is not full of roses, "at the beginning of the training, it was difficult but as time went on, I found it more interesting that it became part of me," she retorted.

Her experience during the training was wonderful. She remembered that she always communicated with family and friends through sign language before she got married. This made some thought she was one of PWDs. However, her answer to them is always "I like it because I enjoy talking with them!"
As communication between two people using different languages can be greatly facilitated by interpreters, Khaddijatou mentioned that there is need for more interpreters because at the moment there are few sign language interpreters in The Gambia especially when some of these available interpreters travel.

She advised some school leavers and those that have deaf and hard of hearing people in the homes to undergo sign language course. It is another simple way of getting employment without stress because the knowledge is not limited to the Gambia alone but it is lucrative worldwide.