In May 2015 I signed up for the Basic Sign Language course conducted by the Reach Ministry at SFX. I realized the great need for more Church interpreters, to enable and assist our Deaf brothers/sisters to be able to fully participate in the Holy Eucharist and other Church activities. In order to improve myself as an interpreter, I took up the Church Interpreting Program (CIP) in July 2016. It was a one year program and had completed it July 2017. Being a church interpreter is very enriching for me. I’ve learnt to appreciate the Liturgy, Prayers, Readings and Songs better. Each time as I prepare, I’d have to read, understand, digest the text before translating it to Sign. As one family, One Body of Christ, we should take up the challenge and be responsible to help those around us. God, Christ Himself became Man to be closer to us, to communicate with us, to re-establish the original communion of God and Mankind. As such, it is only right that we too aim to be more Christ-like and seek to be closer with the differently able among us.

I have become a Church Sign Language Interpreter for more than 15 years. I learned sign language at the Church of St. Francis Xavier (SFX) PJ organized by REACH Ministry. The reasons I learn sign language is just out of curiosity and I think to know another language is rather cool especially the language that uses hand and facial expression to communicate. Then I decided to join the REACH Ministry and assist in whatever activities organized by them. Starting was very difficult to understand what they are trying to tell me even a simple sign but like all things starting is always difficult. However gradually by mixing with them more I begin to pick a few sign here and there. I decided to join the Church Interpreting Program conducted by Agnes Peter and at the same time assist in teaching other students on basic sign language. I stop interpreting and not joining the REACH Ministry for about 10 years when my children were very young. After stop for so many years, I have to attend many refresher course conducted by Deaf themselves in order to get back to signing. I have learned so much from this Deaf community not only in signing but their faith in God, their courage in facing challenges in life and strong senses of living as a community. God has put me there to experience the joy by mingle with them and at the same time help to transfer God message from the priest to them.

I have been an assistant interpreter for about 8 years. I learnt sign language through the class which organised by Reach Ministry at SFX Church. At the beginning I just learnt it for fun. But later I feel that it was a waste if I am not using it. Thus, I continued with a special class to be a new assistant interpreter. With this class, I have started my interpreting journey. To learn better skill, I have attended few classes outside churches. Watching youtube and reading sign books also help me a lot. Being a church interpreter, I need to spare some of my time to practice and to attend the class. But for me, it is very fulfilling when I see the Deaf able to receive the message which conveyed through the interpreters.