Message from the KSLIA Chair February 2015


Message from the KSLIA Chair

February 2015

KSLIA is all of us. If KSLIA fails to deliver, it is all of us who have failed to deliver because the organization is simply our agent. We are the principals and our organization simply acts on our behalf. In a democratic dispensation, the organization is only one element co-existing in a social fabric of many varied organizations.

Members of an organization should share in the responsibility of joining with others to shape the future of the organization. As KSLIA members, we must take responsibility for the fate of our organization, in the end we will rejoice when we take the organization to the next level and achieve the progress that our hearts yearn for. This is what KSLIA leadership has endeavored to do together with those who mean well for the profession.

Therefore KSLIA office bearers act for the interests of the organization and not for personal interests. Where personal interests exist, the organizations’ interests must always carry the day. The current office bearers have therefore always acted for the interest of the organization. Some may not be pleased especially if they want to have their way. BUT anyone in our position would always do what the office demands i.e doing what is right to ensure the organizations’ interests always prevail.

Consequently, as an office, we may have rubbed some interpreters the wrong way as we execute our mandate BUT let it be clear to all of you that it is nothing personal. It is what the position we are in demands. It requires us to EXECUTE OUR MANDATE even when it doesn’t please everyone as long, as it is the right thing to do. This we will continue to do without fear or favour for the benefit of us all for it is the only way we can achieve the progress we yearn for.

THANK YOU and

God Bless you all

KSLIA National Chairperson


What is KSLIA?

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Central Business District, Nairobi, Kenya
KSLIA continues to support the establishment of a training program and a certification process for it's membership. KSLIA envisions its role in a three pronged approach - the three C's - Certification of members, Continuing education for the practicing Interpreters and Conflict resolution through enforcement of the Code of Ethics.

Kenyan Interpreters

Kenyan Interpreters
KSLIA Members we appreciates you! every member is valuable. KSLIA endeavors to serve you and listen, for membership and welfare contact us here : KSLIA Membership and Welfare - info.kslia@gmail.com

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

KSLIA the journey - Reflections from the April Interpreters Training

KSLIA the journey - Reflections from the April Interpreters Training

Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association was set up by a group of 20 local interpreters after a training by the first Deaf Education US Peace Corps Volunteers in September of 2000. Prior to this training there were several short term trainings conducted by KSLRP/KNAD dating back to 1980s and 1990s. Several Interpreters were trained in interpretation theories and code of ethics. These core interpreters from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia later replicated that training to their counterparts and it was hoped that these efforts would result in a stronger force of interpreters. Development in the other countries are hard to trace, however, in Kenya those efforts have been translated into an association. Like many countries in the world, interpreters in Kenya are rarely available, usually seen as('unqualified') due to the fact that most are usually friends to the Deaf, family members or teachers of the Deaf and largely there is a deficiency due to the lack of a training program/certification process.
KSLIA is an indigenous initiative evolving and strengthening the face of the Interpreting profession in Kenya. Kenya has a huge interpreter community that is active and isolated. Many Interpreters are working in various settings all over the country with little or no formal Interpreter training. KSLIA is in the forefront advocating for the establishment and sustaining of training programs all over Kenya. KSLIA hopes to improve and elevate the standards of Interpreting in Kenya through the following objectives:

a)To secure official recognition of interpreting profession by the Government, various service providers and the general public

b)Encourage and promote initiatives in improving the standards of interpreting and interpreter training and pay scale of interpreters depending with their level and skills of interpretation through certification.

c)Cooperation with other recognized bodies concerned in the welfare of the deaf and in provision of S.L Interpreters throughout the world.

d)Awareness creation on Deafness and Interpreting through publication of information materials

e)To collect and raise funds for the achievement of goals and objectives through membership fee, subscription, contribution, gifts or donations, commissions and payments, fund raising whether in money or otherwise from both members and non members.

f)To maintain and administer a registry of Interpreters in Kenya, including certification and license maintenance procedures.
g)Enforce a code of ethics and mediate conflict between the Interpreters and their clients.

KSLIA is working towards the establishment of a training program and a certification process for it's membership.
Global Deaf Connection (GDC), Deaf Aid (KRITD project), and KSLIA have set up the second national workshop for KSL/English interpreters in April 2007. This brought together more than 15 Interpreters from all over the country, the workshop's focus was on "Interpreting: Theory into Practice" this workshop was a follow up to the training held in August 2006 in Machakos. Further to this there is the final phase of the training to be conducted in December 2007. These training have been sponsored by GDC through a USAID grant with additional contributions from Deaf AID and KSLIA.
As a result of these trainings and the training needs assessments and feedback received from participants, there is a great need for a fully fledged training program focusing on all aspects of Interpreting from Language training, actual interpreting, various skills needed to the code of ethics. KSLIA will be in the steering wheel to ensure that the views, needs and aspirations of the Kenyan Interpreters are articulated and addressed by future trainings.
KSLIA envisions its role in a three pronged approach - the three C's - Certification of members, Continuing education for the practicing Interpreters and Conflict resolution through enforcement of the Code of Ethics.
Drafted by KSLIA (C) 2007.

Disclaimer!

This is the official KSLIA blog. It is a forum for information exchange and notice board for all interpreters working in Kenya. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information, links and articles are accurate and verified however KSLIA does not gurantee the correctness of the views expressed below esp. comments or personal views. KSLIA however appreciates any comments, suggestions and questions about it's activities in Kenya, Sign language, Deaf Culture and Interpreting. These can be forwarded to the KSLIA secretariat for further action. KSLIA (c) 2015.