
Angelique and Hortence
It was when her daughter reached six-months-old that Angelique first realised something was wrong. Her baby, Hortence, didn’t respond to noise and didn’t babble like the other infants her age. Two months later, she was certain that her daughter was deaf.
In the region of Rwanda where Angelique lives, there is very little help for parents who have deaf children. Apart from a few basic gestures, Angelique and her little girl had no means of communicating and Hortense seemed desperately lonely and trapped within herself.
Many mothers in this region would have succumbed to the pressure and given up on their disabled child – something that is all too common where Angelique lives. But all she wanted was to protect her girl and give her a good start in life.
Luckily a project, funded through Chance for Childhood, heard about Angelique and Hortence and told them about a special workshop that they could attend. By going along, this mother and daughter have learnt ways to communicate with each other properly for the very first time.
As a result, Hortence has now blossomed into a sociable, bright and confident girl and Angelique feels positive about her daughter’s future.
I am happy now because I can sign to Hortence and she signs back. She can tell me what she needs and she does what I ask her to do! I hope all parents of deaf children will accept them for who they are and strive for their rights.”
It’s your generosity which has given Angelique the support she needs to care for her daughter.
It’s your generosity that has given Hortence the childhood she deserves.
And it’s your continued generosity that will help many more mums provide for their children in the years to come.
Thank you.