**Young Deaf Man Who Was Abandoned By His Father At Birth Overcomes Tough Struggles, Earns Bachelor’s Degree With Honors**
A young deaf man named Uulenga Naapopye has overcome significant challenges, including being abandoned by his father at birth, to earn a bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Namibia (UNAM) in Windhoek.
Naapopye from Namibia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education, demonstrating his remarkable determination and dedication despite the obstacles he faced throughout his life.
In an interview with UNAM Forum Online, Naapopye shared his journey to success and explained how his father’s abandonment shaped his desire to secure a better future.
However, he was fortunate to have a strong, loving mother who supported him. Naapopye said his mother ensured he received a quality education by enrolling him in a special school where he learned basic communication skills.
He then attended the National Institute of Special Education from 1999 to 2013, a school for visually and hearing-impaired learners, where all teachers knew sign language, which made his experience much easier.
Afterward, Naapopye transferred to Cosmos High School, an inclusive school, where he completed grades 11 and 12 with the help of two interpreters. Despite this support, he still faced challenges, as interpreters were not always available for every class.
Upon completing high school, Naapopye initially aspired to study engineering, but he did not meet the entry requirements. Not giving up, he decided to pursue a degree in education to help other deaf children receive a good education and achieve a better future.
“However, I was too determined to further my studies to let that stop me. I then opted for education because I wanted to be a good example to other deaf kids growing up – that they too can have a better future,” he said.
Naapopye stated that his time at the university was not without struggles. In his third year, he found research especially difficult due to the lack of interpreters. He also said financial difficulties set him back, as his student loan from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund was suspended, forcing him to deregister for two years.
Despite these setbacks, Naapopye returned to UNAM in 2020 and completed his degree. “I knew I was close to the finish line so I returned to UNAM in 2020, and now I have finally obtained my honors degree,” he said.
He expressed his deep gratitude to his mother for her constant support and shared his happiness in making her proud. “I feel very happy and I am thankful to God for giving me the strength to complete my studies,” he said.
Naapopye said he is inspired by other individuals with disabilities who have managed to change the world and hopes to do the same. “I’m optimistic about the future and I hope I end up teaching as well as inspiring hearing-impaired children that they too can do anything and achieve any level of success that they dream of,” he said.
