Patrick Otema was born deaf and, like the majority of deaf people in sub-Saharan Africa, had never been taught to sign - until Raymond Okkelo returned to his village
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A deaf boy has spoken for the first time - after 15 years of silence, communicating only through very basic hand gestures.
Patrick Otema was born deaf and, like the majority of deaf people in sub-Saharan Africa, had never been taught sign language.
Until now, he has been looked after by his father Charles at their home in Uganda - in silence, communicating only with his own mind.
"If I speak to him as I am speaking to you, " says Charles. "He doesn't understand.
"But I can do like this and point at him to get the hoe so that he goes to the garden."
But then deaf sign language teacher Raymond Okkelo arrived - returning to the village to teach the deaf community sign language, changing their lives for the better.
Similarly to Patrick, Raymond was deaf from a young age and would only run and "hide in fear'.
He lost his hearing after a bout of malaria as a child - but just six months ago travelled to the capital, Kampala, for extensive training.
Raymond then returned to his village to do something unprecedented - set up the area's first ever sign language course.
Patrick's transformation in class is amazing - interacting with Raymond and other students, who give him a new sign language name.
Unreported World: 15 and Learning to Speak is on Channel 4 at 7:35pm this evening.
