RC: Helping the Deaf be Heard

by Rachel Chan

“We want the hearing to appreciate us for who we are, and that we can succeed too,” is what the mission of RC Deaf Missions Malaysia is all about. Founded by siblings Agnes Peter and Mario Peter in 2006, the mission helps its deaf members seek employment, as well as develop their potential in communicative areas.

Stemming from her passion for helping the deaf in church, Agnes and her brother Mario took the initiative one step forward by establishing their own centre, which stands proud with full time staff today. Among the services they offer are ‘Career and Business Opportunities for the Deaf’, ‘Setting Up Future Businesses to be Managed by the Deaf’, ‘Consultancy and Training for the Deaf’, ‘Sign Language Interpreting Services’, and ‘Sign Language Courses’.

Today, among the deaf there is a small percentage who are in the service industry – eg. accountants, writers, media professionals, and designers. Most of the deaf work in factories. However, the younger generation among them wants to maximise their employment chances, given a wider opportunity for education.

Agnes explains that employers of the deaf can be found in 4 broad categories – those who are very welcoming (including both management and front line staff); those where the management is welcoming but not so the front line staff; those who are largely neutral; and finally those with attitudinal barriers. Often, deaf employees leave after a short period of time and the mission is dedicated to find out why. Hence, its objective to become an employer itself, offering part time jobs to members.

The members of RC Deaf Missions are passionate art enthusiasts. Not only that, there is a whole team devoted to making good art and selling it to raise funds.

One of RC’s successful projects is the 2010 Deaf Art Calendar, which the mission prides as part of its commitment to artistic pursuits. Led by Lau Yok Ung, Graphic Team Manager, the team produced a calendar replete with a collection of visual art from the members of RC Deaf Mission, combining techniques such as oil painting and batik.

Voize interviews the Graphic Team Manager, Mr. Lau Yok Ung, with the help of an interpreter.

How did you start off as a member of RC Deaf Missions?

Someone told me through email about the graphic team. I saw the name, I met up with Agnes, and found out about deaf development, so that’s when I decided to join.

Have you been there since its founding in 2006?

I have been there since May 2007.

Were you employed when you joined?

Yes.

So, what was the role that RC played for your development?

I gained more experience through RC. I gained a lot from my working experience with them. I learnt a lot in the graphic department. I want to grow more.

Tell us more about the Deaf Art Teams.

Before RC, there were some people who didn’t know about RC, so I asked them to join. They didn’t know graphic or computer skills. After they joined, they learnt and grew as a team.

Is tonight’s dinner at Khadijah’s Kitchen to thank the people behind the 2010 Deaf Art Calendar?

This dinner is a thank you and to show our gratitude to those who have helped the RC Deaf Missions.

And the calendar? Tell us more about it.

The calendar is to show hearing people that deaf people can also do graphic design, and that deaf people are also good at graphics. There are even some deaf people who don’t know they can be good at graphics. To change mindsets so they can think positively about themselves.

Where can we buy the calendar? How much is it?

The calendar can be bought at our website, www.rcdeafmissionsmalaysia.com . It is RM 30.

You can also contact Agnes at 019-2619920; or come to Amcorp Mall every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm.

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The members of RC Deaf Missions Malaysia explain their participation, in the Deaf Art Calendar project, as well as other art-related projects which are a major part of their activities. Interview done with the help of a RC interpreter.

Tell us about your contribution to the Deaf Art Project.

Lim Anuar, Art Director/Deaf Art Consultant

We deaf people have our own skills, some are very good at drawing, leadership, graphic design, or have working experience in certain fields. We can use our own skills to help RC. How we contribute to RC is by doing T-shirts, calendars, greeting cards, also fashion shows. We also teach sign language. Some of us help RC to publicise its causes so that hearing people can know that deaf people are equally good. So they can be aware that we can also be successful. RC hopes that others can accept that deaf people also have their ability and can be successful through graphic design and art projects. Without RC, deaf development will be stunted, some cannot write, draw, or find jobs. People would not know what deaf people’s lives are like. So we formed a support group to help the deaf.

Fong Wei Chong, Deaf Art Calendar contributor

I joined in July 2008, so I’m quite new. I didn’t know graphics, but I joined anyway, and learnt about the calendar project, and how to work with the deaf. I also invited some people to join RC. I asked my deaf friends to become members to enhance their skills. I hope to gather more people to grow as a team to work together at RC.

Anuar Shahren bin Shariffin

I started in April 2008, I was on the Net, searching around, and saw something about deaf development. It was RC. I clicked on it and saw something about graphics. I’m quite good at it, so I got Agnes’ number and SMSed her. She asked about my experience, and I sent 2 pictures of my art. We took it to Amcorp Mall, there was a group already formed, with me as the newest member. Agnes interviewed me, saw my artwork, she was happy and accepted my work. After the interview, I went home to work on more small designs and graphics. After I thought it was good enough, I presented it to Agnes. She chose some of the designs for cards and the calendar. In 2008, we set up a stall to sell some of my work, and I was there to do some hands-on artwork. I hope to continue working in RC, and to get more projects in the future.

Lois Tham Sy Liang, Assistant Manager

I joined RC in 2008, after being introduced to Agnes by Lim Anuar (above). He suggested that I do some artwork. There was an art piece of mine, titled ‘Hidden Snake’. Its also in the 2009 calendar. That was my first time selling my art. Then Agnes called me again to do ‘Hidden Snake’, but this time in different colours. I helped Agnes during the fashion show as well, where Anuar had done some batik designs. I modelled for this fashion show held in Amcorp Mall. I hope all deaf people can help each other to share skills and improve ourselves as deaf living in Malaysia.

The sales team on their projects:

Jeffrey, RC Sales Team

What’s the next project that Rc is planning to organise?

We’re making CNY cards, Valentine’s cards, T-shirts, and kampung scenery postcards. We hope to see you at our booths in Amcorp Mall, One Utama, Sunway Pyramid, and IOI Mall. (Agnes adds that salary is an issue and that deaf people need an avenue to enhance their living, in which RC helps provide a place where they can learn to manage their own business).

We also hope to have the freedom to express ourselves, and we hope that one day the proceeds will make that happen.

Sharmilla, RC Sales Team

It’s a great opportunity that we’re able to communicate in a language that we’re familiar with. We hope to set up more businesses for deaf people to self-manage.