The NCD Deaf & Hard of Hearing Association came by Paradise Foods to provide basic sign language training for the Queen Emma Chocolate staff from the 24th of January to the 28th as part of their GEDSI activity for the year.
Queen Emma Chocolate General Manager, Karina Makori, and four of her staff attended the one-week training. Taking them through the training was deaf trainers John Numi and Josephine Barnabas, and interpreters Heidi Otiwani and Hilda Igo from the NCD Deaf & HOH Association.
The basic sign language training covered introductory topics to signing, including the alphabet, numbers, greetings, and sign phrasing. Also covered throughout the week was interesting topics specific to sign language in Papua New Guinea, including being able to sign the different regions, provinces, and towns in Papua New Guinea.
In attendance was Suzanne Steven, Process Operator in Queen Emma Chocolate Factory, who has lived with a hearing impairment since she was a child. Speaking to her co-workers who attended the training, most have had to self-learn sign language to communicate with Suzanne.
Queen Emma Chocolate is a proud partner of PHAMA Plus who support the QEC not only through improving market access but also working towards a more inclusive workforce through its GEDSI program. Each year, activities are planned around GEDSI, with this year focusing on Disability.
Pacific Horticultural & Agricultural Market Access launched in 2015, now in its third phase as PHAMA Plus. PHAMA Plus is a development program for AusAID that focuses on improving market access for the countries key export industries including cocoa.
