Dreams become reality when shared with a passionate community. This was the essence of our Dream Speech event, held on 14 december at Kanthari in Kerala state, Trivandrum India.
The event, called Kanthari Talks, is held annually at Kanthari, an international social chnage institute in Trivandrum, India. the event serves as a platform to showcase the diverse projects of visionaries to beneficiaries, stakeholders, donors, families, and friends who are interested in being part of these initiatives. These projects address critical issues such as environmental challenges, disability and social inclusion, mental health, juvenile justice and law, and advocacy for marginalized communities. To facilitate the process of rehearsals we were put in to groups and in my group I was with Mala (India)Tudu (India) Shrishail (India) Sijo (India) and Eric (DRC) we were all mentored by Aanand from India and Cornelia from Germany
Our vision for the speech
For our organization, Mandrill-Alert, this event was the perfect opportunity to introduce our social venture and its interventions to the world and to individuals of goodwill. Its essence lay in sharing our dream with like-minded people to garner support in pursuing the vision we aspire to realize.
Through this event, we aimed to tell, in a compelling manner, the personal story of Mandrill-Alert’s founder, Mr. Ngwana Ngwanoh, who is hearing impaired and has, on several occasions, been vulnerable in the war-torn region of Bamenda, where he resides. We also sought to highlight that other deaf individuals in this region face similar challenges, with some tragically losing their lives.
Additionally, we aimed to showcase the unique interventions we have developed to address these issues: a wristband alert system, training in American Sign Language, and specialized fashion design training tailored for the deaf. By presenting these initiatives, we hope to gain the necessary support to turn these dreams into reality.
The experience
From the very first session at Kanthari, we were informed about a “Dream Speech” that would mark the end of the course on campus. However, in real-time, we had just two weeks to prepare for this significant event. Given the scope of what we wanted to present, we decided to structure the speech into three main parts: the beginning, the body, and the conclusion. Recognizing that the beginning and ending should leave a lasting impression, we devoted extra time to crafting these segments.
For the opening, we presented a poignant scene: a young man walking along a deserted street. Unknown to him, soldiers called out, mistaking him for a terrorist when he didn’t respond. Tragically, they shot him, only to discover later that he was deaf. This striking real scene of a deaf person who is of blessed memory in the NW Cameroon set the tone for our message.
The speech concluded with the launch of Mandrill-Alert’s first-ever fashion show, featuring models from Uganda (Timothy), Kenya (Caren), France (Charlotte), India (Aanand), and Cameroon (Blaise). These models showcased African outfits designed and sewn by Blaise, the founder of Mandrill-Alert.
In the body of the speech, Blaise shared insights about the ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions—Northwest and Southwest. He detailed the origins and consequences of the war, emphasizing its impact on daily life. Blaise recounted his own harrowing experience of being abducted by separatist fighters, an ordeal that terrified him and forced him to seek refuge in the French-speaking region of the country. As an internally displaced person (IDP), he struggled with sleeping on the floor and surviving on a single meal per day. Unable to endure these conditions, he made the difficult decision to return to his war-stricken hometown.
Life in his region was marked by “ghost towns,” where activities halted due to the conflict. It was during one such period that Blaise discovered his passion for fashion design. He trained at K-Fashion, a workshop that operated discreetly during ghost-town days. This time of solitude allowed him to practice extensively. While the sound of gunfire distracted many, Blaise remained focused—an advantage of his hearing impairment, as he could not perceive the frightening noises.
Despite this, being deaf in a war zone brought its own challenges. Blaise recounted an incident during plum harvest season when, lost in the joy of picking ripe fruits, he failed to notice that the street below had become eerily silent due to a nearby gun battle. Completely unaware of the danger, he hummed a tune while harvesting. It wasn’t until he climbed down and found the gate locked that a courageous neighbor opened it and expressed shock at Blaise’s obliviousness to the intense fighting nearby.
These experiences inspired Blaise to establish Mandrill-Alert. The organization draws its name from the Mandrill, an ape native to the African rainforest, known for its heightened sense of danger and ability to alert its group through screams, vibrations, and signs. Similarly, Mandrill-Alert aims to empower the deaf community in war zones by providing life-saving tools and entrepreneurial skills.
- Wristband Alert System
This device alerts deaf individuals to danger in war zones. During the EMPOWER Conference at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing in Trivandrum on October 17, 2024, Blaise collaborated with assistive technology experts to develop the device’s principles. Designed to function without internet connectivity, it uses vibrations and colors to communicate. The colors are inspired by the vibrant facial features of the Mandrill. Red signals immediate danger, such as gunfire or explosions, while a cardinal direction feature guides users to safety. Sky blue indicates insecurity, advising users to stay indoors during ghost-town periods, and white represents peace and security. The device is solar-powered, waterproof, and durable, though funding is still needed to develop a prototype for testing and further use
2. Sign Language Training
Blaise aspires to be the first student of the program, which aims to teach sign language to the deaf community and their loved ones. This skill will enhance communication and coordination during emergencies. Currently, Blaise is seeking admission into a diploma program in American Sign Language (ASL) on scholarship, so he can bring this knowledge back to his community.
3. Fashion Design Training
With four years of experience in fashion design, Blaise started as an apprentice at K-Fashion in Bamenda. Fashion design is a visual art that doesn’t rely on auditory communication, making it ideal for the deaf community. The training encompasses diverse skills such as drawing, pattern drafting, stitching, embroidery, and branding. Blaise has already trained several individuals in this field and is committed to empowering the silent yet powerful contributors whose talents and resilience shape society.
conclusion
The speech concluded with a fashion show activity, offering a glimpse into the creative endeavors that our organization’s beneficiaries will undertake to showcase their productivity and creativity. While the fashion show was in progress, a carefully composed song by Sabriye Tenberken and David Sexton played in the background. On the screen behind the models, the face of a mandrill appeared, with the white color prominently displayed to symbolize peace and serenity during the event. This visual clip was designed by Simon.
The mandrill-Alert song lyrics composed by Sabriye and David
Mandrill Alert lyrics: Cameroon blackout – streets stripped bare
“Ghost town” whispers hanging in the air
No lights, no moon, no sound alive
But we’re electric – watch how we surviv
City locked down, but our minds break free
Young blood boiling beneath the energy
Silent streets can’t stop our flow
Underground creators – watch how we grow
MANDRILL ALERT!
We design loud when the world goes quiet
MANDRILL ALERT!
Our passion’s a riot, can’t deny it
Zero distractions, we’re locked in our zone
Turning empty spaces into our throne
Invisible barriers? We shatter that frame
Transform the silence – ignite our own flame
From darkness we rise, sharp as the night
Jungle instincts burning fierce and bright
No compromise, no time to chill
Pure concentration – that’s our skill
MANDRILL ALERT!
We design loud when the world goes quiet
MANDRILL ALERT!
Our passion’s a riot, can’t deny it
Stay focused, stay hungry, claim your space
Creativity blazing at breakneck pace
From empty streets, watch innovation spark
We light up the silence – leave our mark!
