Chat with Calvin Morel |06 June 2020
Calvin conducting a class
‘I consider myself a determined, gentle and obedient person’
“Deaf people can do anything hearing people can, except hear,” said Dr King Jordan. For the last three months, our country has been going through a different phase and we have been more connected with the news. We also witnessed something new during the live press conferences where we had the conferences in sign language. The job of a sign language interpreter is often times overlooked and just seen as a person in the corner of your television screen making shapes with their hands that most people don’t understand; but the job and importance of an interpreter is more vast, complex, and challenging than most see. Today we have a chat with Calvin Morel who is only 19 years old and who was born deaf.
Seychelles NATION: Recently we saw a new face on our screens and we were impressed by your ability to communicate in sign language. Please tell our readers who are you.
Calvin Morel: My name is Calvin morel and I am 19 years old. I was born profoundly deaf and after an operation I was able to recuperate some hearing. I can speak and sign thus I can now easily enter both the deaf and hearing world. I have one sister and I am now living with my mother at Ile Perseverance. My father is a very good mason and my mother, who is my biggest supporter, owns a vegetable stall at the Victoria Market. I enjoy sports and watching films. I consider myself a determined, gentle and obedient person.
Seychelles NATION: Tell us more about your childhood and your journey.
Calvin Morel: I went to Grande Anse and Port Glaud schools. I had difficulties to understand the teacher at school thus I always failed my exams. Although I did not perform well academically, I was good at drama and I was always chosen to participate. I got a few whipping also from my teacher because they didn’t understand my condition. It was only after my mother met Mrs Anita Gardner, the chairperson of the Association of People with Hearing Impairment (Aphi) that I joined the Association’s activities. I learned to accept my condition after I met other youths with my same condition; I felt at home. Later, when I reached P6, I joined the School for the Deaf. There was no stopping me. I am an active member of the Association and I am always busy promoting deaf culture by participating in many activities such as drama, mimes, songs and dances and sports. Activities I enjoy the most are organising picnics, hike and camping. I am also a champion in fundraising. I have won many awards such as Student of the Year and Deaf of the Year. I also participated in national athletic event and cultural events where I have won some awards and medals.
Seychelles NATION: You are an actor and you enjoy theatre. Tell us more about your experiences.
Calvin Morel: I had the opportunity to travel to South Africa to participate in a drama competition with my class where we won 2nd prize. I also travelled to Kolkata India to accompany Seychelles’ famous deaf artist, Chanel Alphonse, at the International Deaf Expo where I was in charge of promoting and selling his items. I sold all his items! It was the first time that I met so many deaf people, young and old. It was really amasing. I also had the opportunity to participate in an educational exchange with the School for the Deaf in Mauritius last year. There I met many youths my age and I made lots of friends.
Seychelles NATION: Now you are also a teacher at the School for the Deaf at Au Cap. How did that happen?
Calvin Morel: I was eligible to attend the Deaf College in South Africa in 2018 to study Deaf education but I postponed because there was unrest there and that got me a bit scared so I decided to do my training locally. I followed two years of training at the School for the Deaf by my two teachers – Miss Shana and Miss Shireen. I am now a qualified teacher and I am waiting for the Ministry of Education to employ me. Working at the school is a challenge for me because it looks like I never left school. The students who were in the same class but younger than me are now my students!! But the transition has gone smoothly. They respect my position as a teacher and I am happy now to teach them. I love my job!
My training also entailed linguistic and deaf culture training at the association for the deaf under the tutelage of Mrs Gardner which was held at the Association three times a week for a year. I also joined the team working on the development of the sign language dictionary. I was proud of the completion of the project and of the launch of the dictionary last year. I am also very active in supporting the trainers when they conduct sign language lessons on Saturdays.
Seychelles NATION: What are the other activities in which you are involved?
Calvin Morel:This year I was preparing to participate in Miss and Mr Deaf Pageant which was planned for November but unfortunately with the COVID-19, it has been postponed.
Many of you must have seen me on television performing sign language interpreting during the press conferences. I received so many positive feedback!! I am proud! At first I was a bit nervous but after my first appearance I was always looking forward for the next press conference. I have just started training to become a professional interpreter and my wish is now to qualify and work part-time for SBC.
I am very lucky to have people who believe in me, always encouraging me to develop my talent. I wish to become a role model for the youth of Seychelles.
I would encourage young people to always associate with people who have your interest at heart because there are so many negative vibes out there!! Stay away from drugs and alcohol!
Personally, speaking to Calvin Morel raised my hopes and Faith in humanity. He is a good example that when someone receives support and encouragement, it enables him/her to achieve a lot in life!
Compiled by Vidya Gappy
