Bashir

When Treana first met a deaf boy named Bashir in the Ugandan village of Oli, he was living in seclusion. Some villagers had written him off as “mad” and he was isolated within his own community. 

Treana has worked with a deaf school in Cameroon for 25 years and when she pointed to herself and signed her name, Bashir’s face lit up because she was trying to connect with him. She explained to everyone that Bashir spoke a different language and promised to teach them on her next trip. 

As her truck pulled away, Bashir ran alongside, pressing his hand to the window - and in that moment, we knew this brief visit had already had an impact on his life.

When Treana returned to Oli a few months later, Bashir was waiting for her. Before she’d even stepped from the truck, he was racing to greet her. Treana was his friend—and she had returned. 

She’d brought various teaching materials and led them all in an introductory sign language workshop. Everyone was eager to participate with Bashir because he always tried so hard to engage with them—they laughed together as they learned basic words that all children know, like “play” and “read”. 

Bashir sat with them, beaming as he watched the people of his community coming together to support him.

Understanding that he needed specific resources in order to thrive, Treana learned of a boarding school for the deaf only a few hours from Bashir’s home. The Obakki Foundation is committed to raising funds for Bashir’s education, including the cost of food, housing and tuition. Bashir is curious, intelligent and motivated. Being in a school with deaf children will allow him to connect with others while teaching him the necessary skills to support himself. 

With your support, Bashir will have a future full of potential and possibilities.

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