Deaf Woman Overcomes Pain and Homelessness to Finally Publishing Her First Book

Fueled by community and passion, Sharon Eland-Lewis published her first book, Slegs ‘n enkele kans, a novel written in Afrikaans. Eland-Lewis first published poems in the George Herald magazine, a South African news outlet in George, Western Cape. Recognizing her work, journalist Michelle Peinaar connected Eland-Lewis to the owner of a local country club, the Three Chameleons clubhouse. There, she joined the book club and began her novel. 

Facing hardships such as homelessness, Eland-Lewis worked with the George Library to complete and publish the book. To communicate with the National Library, for instance, the George Library Manager helped solve the hearing language barrier. The National Library of South Africa published Eland-Lewis’s book on August 21st, coupled with a book launch in the George Library. In September, Geroge will feature the book as a contribution to South Africa’s Funda Mzantsi Reading Competition.

Read the full story here.