New Providence Association of the Deaf (and Hard of Hearing) hosted its first fundraising event, a Souse-Out and Membership Drive on Saturday, November 24th, at the Western Esplanade on West Bay Street.
Delicious stewed fish, stewed conch, sheep tongue souse, turkey souse and chicken souse were sold for a donation of $10 for souses and $12 for stew. The event was quite successful. Many came out to show their support for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
All profits from this event go towards the funding of NPAD’s Sign Language Training Initiative and funding of programs that will assist the Deaf in their educational, economical and social development.
The officers and members of NPAD would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all donors and supporters who made this event possible especially Bahamia Rentals, AML Foods Ltd, Custom Computers, Music Needs, Club One Fitness Centre, Deborah Williams, Danielle Evans, Edna Carroll and Ivy Maycock.
Scenes from the event
Photos: Sean G. Williams
About The New Providence Association of the Deaf (and Hard-of-Hearing)
Mission
Our mission is to serve, protect and promote the welfare and interests of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by facilitating them to achieve a better quality of life, increased independence and productivity that will enable them to integrate and become productive Bahamian citizens.
Who are we and how you can help us
The New Providence Association of the Deaf (and Hard-of-Hearing) is a non- profit organization, the brainchild of Mr. Marvin N. Finlayson, a former technical educator with the Ministry of Education. Mr. Finlayson acknowledged the need for reform in Deaf service and education in the Bahamas. In effort to tackle these issues, he attempted to establish New Providence Association of the Deaf (NPAD). Confronted with challenges; however for years Mr. Finlayson continued to be an unwavering advocate for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community until his demise in November 2011 after a lengthy battle with Sickle Cell Anemia and Liver Cancer. The Deaf community praise and recognized his efforts and the need of an organization of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (HOH) individuals that will officially represent the Deaf and HOH community.
Taking the initiative, La’Sasha Williams Harry began to organize the groundwork and was eventually elected President in March 2012 along with a team of the first official Board of Directors. Consisting of all Deaf and HOH individuals, this team of six:
La’Sasha Williams-Harry- President, Davinci Leu-Brunson- Vice President, Shonell Sands- Secretary, Lydia Anderson- Treasurer, Danielle Cambridge- Public Relations Officer and Ricardo Farqhuason- Sergeant at Arms are determined to implement our purpose which is to work together to ensure a better future for Deaf Bahamians.
For years the Deaf have been ignored and oppressed in this society, the NPAD intends to address this dilemma because we recognized that there are detrimental societal barriers that must be eliminated in order to effectuate change in the Bahamian society so that Deaf and HOH Bahamians may live full productive and dignified lives in this country. The lack of educational reform, employment opportunities and basic human rights are among the key elements that contributed to the formation of NPAD. We are committed to discouraging forms of discrimination and eradicating ignorance by promoting programs in Deaf Education and Communication. We also intend to promote programs that will assist the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in their economical, educational and social development.
