Deaf community reach out to one of their own

GEORGE NEWS - The deaf community of George helped one of their own as part of Mandela Day activities last week Thursday.

George Municipality Deaf Support Group, headed by gender and disability coordinator Ejustley Boshoff, joined efforts with DeafSA and 10 members of the deaf community to clean and paint the outside of the house of Susan Jacobs and her brother Norman.

Susan is deaf and heads a household of 17 who all live together in the house.

The beneficiary is 65 years old, has three daughters in the house with their seven children (her grandchildren) and four great-grandchildren, as well as her brother who is also deaf-mute.

Boshoff said Susan was in tears and completely overwhelmed when the team arrived to paint her house. "She cannot speak, but we could see from her body language and expressions that she was very grateful and touched," said Boshoff. "Susan lives a very tough life and we hope our gesture casts some light on her selfless commitment to her family."

The beneficiary of this goodwill project is deaf and heads a household of 17 who all live together in the house.