Women in Business Development Inc. (WIBDI)
A Church Service in Samoa to Change Mindsets about Deafness
Primary site: WPR – Samoa
Additional site(s):
To celebrate World Hearing Day on 3 March 2024, WIBDI partnered with Apia Protestant Church and its Deaf Ministry, SENESE and Ministry of Health’s ENT Clinic to deliver a two-day event to change mindsets about deafness. Celebrations at Apia Protestant Church started on Saturday with free hearing tests. Over 100 people had their hearing checked and ears cleaned, and 10 people received hearing aid devices. On Sunday, over 200 people gathered for a livestreamed church service. Reverend Nuuausala Siaosi Siutaia dedicated his sermon to people with hearing loss. Two people from the Deaf Ministry delivered wonderful, heart-felt testimonies about their lives as a deaf person. The Deaf Ministry gave a spirited performance combining dance and sign language to spread a message of confidence and hope. Another highlight was the Reverend and his wife cutting the World Hearing Day 2024 cake. Staff and volunteers proudly wore their World Hearing Day T’shirts.
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Met with individual policymakers: Yes
Participation of policymakers: Yes
Participation of influencers: Yes
WHO educational or publicity material used: Yes
Spirited performance by Deaf Ministry
Hearing loss sermon by Reverend Nuuausala Siaosi Siutaia
Free hearing screening
Conversation in sign language in front of WHD banner