As a Hard of Hearing individual living in the war-ridden Northwest region of Cameroon, I have constantly been vulnerable and at risk due to my inability to perceive war threats. I rely on those around me to signal incoming danger and provide guidance on seeking safety. This has been the reality for all Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in my region for the past eight years, as we have been plagued by war with no alert systems tailored to our needs. Imagine a Deaf person caught in the middle of gunfire while everyone else runs for safety, that is our daily struggle. Our dependence on those around us becomes even more critical when we are alone, making us even more vulnerable during sudden attacks.
To address this, the Mandrill-Alert Safety Wristband project aims to develop a wearable device that will alert Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals of danger in war zones. At the Empower Conference in India on October 17, 2024, we collaborated with several assistive technology experts to establish the core principles of this device. We deliberately designed it with the specific realities of the Deaf community in war-torn regions of Cameroon in mind. More details about this can be found in my speech at Kanthari Talks in India. https://youtu.be/W2hzbD7Y7xQ?feature=shared
Now that the core principles of the device have been developed, we are seeking a software and hardware developer to build a prototype. This prototype will undergo testing to ensure its effectiveness before future deployment to support the Deaf community in war zones across Cameroon

What our grantee is saying: "As a Hard of Hearing person living in a war-torn zone, receiving this award is deeply personal. It strengthens my own safety and empowers me to seek refuge independently. More importantly, it reinforces our mission to ensure that every Deaf and Hard of Hearing individual in conflict-affected regions of Cameroon has the same opportunity. This support from the Awesome Foundation is not just funding—it’s a powerful statement that our safety matters. I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and excited to push forward with even greater impact!"