By Sr. Gladys Chama, CNCS Mansa Hub

Sr. Gladys Chama is a religious Sister from the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy and is currently serving as a Postulant Mistress in her congregation. As an early childhood educator by profession, her passion lies in transforming lives through spiritual growth, reading and handwriting.

Her journey took a beautiful turn when she discovered the joy of communicating with friends who have special needs, particularly those who are Deaf. However, she was struck by the realization that they are often sidelined, even in churches.

“We have many Catholic churches, but few sign language interpreters. I wondered, does this mean there are no individuals who are Deaf in these churches? The answer is clearly no. This sparked my desire to learn sign language and help our friends who are Deaf fully participate in church activities,” Sr. Gladys said.

She shared that as she drew closer to individuals in the Deaf community, she came to appreciate their positive energy, love, and authenticity.

“They are frank, truthful, and their love is genuine. This experience has taught me that, with effort and appreciation, we can make a difference,” Sr. Gladys said.

She has urged everyone to strive to be more inclusive and welcoming and to learn to appreciate and support people who are Deaf.

“Together, we can create a more loving and compassionate community,” she said.

Quoting from the Sisters of Mercy Rule of Life, Sr. Gladys added, “We must love people, as there was so much more beauty and goodness in them than the evil we often saw. Each person showed us a facet of God’s glory.”

She said this resonates deeply in her service to people who are Deaf, where she sees God’s glory shining through their smiles, gestures, and love.