Empowering The Voiceless: SLaPO’s Push for Inclusion in Sierra Leone
For the Deaf community in Sierra Leone, communication is more than words it’s identity, dignity, and opportunity.
This truth was celebrated last month in Makeni City during the International Week of Deaf People (IWD) 2025, led by the Sign Language People Organization (SLaPO).
Under the theme “No Human Rights Without Sign Language Rights,” SLaPO brought together students, teachers, interpreters, and community leaders to highlight the vital role of sign language in building inclusive communities. The week-long event featured workshops, training sessions, panel discussions, and a celebration of achievement, giving Deaf participants a platform to shine.
For many attendees, the event was transformative. Students at St. Joseph’s School for the Hearing Impaired gained new skills, interpreters received specialized training, and community members learned how accessible communication can bridge societal gaps.
Peter Sidikie Gbla, SLaPO’s Founder and Executive Director, reminded participants that true inclusion begins with respect for Deaf voices:
“Sign language gives the Deaf community identity, confidence, and power. Inclusion is impossible without it.”
SLaPO’s work extends far beyond celebration. The organization continues to advocate for national recognition of Sierra Leone Sign Language (SLSL), greater access to education, healthcare, and employment, and increased availability of trained interpreters.
Founded in 2019, SLaPO is a Deaf-led nonprofit committed to empowering the community through education, advocacy, and outreach. Its guiding principle, “Nothing about the Deaf without the Deaf,” ensures that all decision-making rests with Deaf leaders while hearing supporters provide guidance and assistance.
Through their programs, SLaPO is not just celebrating Deaf culture it’s shaping a society where every Sierra Leonean, hearing or Deaf, can participate fully and equally.