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It’s not every day that a student-led invention grabs international headlines — but when a project brings real connection to people’s lives, it makes sense that the world takes notice.
Elly Savatia, a young entrepreneur from Kenya, has created Terp 360, a web-based app that translates spoken language into sign language using AI-powered 3D avatars, as shared by CNN World. It’s a bit like Google Translate — but designed specifically to give deaf and hearing-impaired users real-time sign language interpretation, without the need for a human interpreter.
“To go to the workplace, education, health care, you have to communicate,” Savatia explains. “But the deaf community, they’re left behind.”
That gap is what he set out to close.
And earlier this month, the innovation was recognized on an international stage. Savatia was awarded £50,000 ($67,000) by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering, winning the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. His project beat three other finalists from across the continent — and it was the impact, not just the engineering, that wowed the judges.
“What really stood out… is the level of innovation,” shares Rebecca Enonchong, chair of the judging panel. “It was really a demonstration that Africans are able and capable of using cutting-edge technology to solve problems, not just on the continent but beyond.”
Built from empathy
What makes Terp 360 so powerful isn’t just the technology (although it’s impressive — with over 2,300 recorded signs and motion-capture precision). It’s the heart behind it. Savatia developed the app in collaboration with deaf Kenyans, making sure it reflects the reality of those who use it. It currently supports Kenyan Sign Language, English, and Swahili, with plans to expand to Ugandan, Rwandan, South African, British, and American Sign Languages by 2027.
And that’s what makes this story so heartening: empathy in action.
In a world that sometimes seems overwhelmed by digital noise, Terp 360 is a quiet reminder that tech can still serve something deeply human — the simple but powerful act of understanding one another.
A voice for those who need it most
These days, we often talk about “having a voice” in terms of social media, politics, or personal branding. But for many deaf children, having a voice is about something more literal — being able to express thoughts, needs, jokes, and dreams. It’s about not being left out of conversations.
That’s where Terp 360 stands out. It’s not flashy or trendy. But it’s practical, thoughtful, and potentially life-changing for families who use it.
It also speaks to a wider truth: everyone wants to be heard. Whether it’s toddlers learning to talk, grandparents telling old stories, or teens sharing memes — communication is how we connect. It’s how we build trust, relationships, and community. And this is obviously crucial in the workplace. However, as Savatia explains:
“Companies cannot afford interpreters, they just don’t have the tools to effectively integrate these people. We see ourselves as an enabler.”
And what an enabler it is. A motion-capture studio in Nairobi is now recording 1,000 new signs a day — building a future where deaf children across Africa won’t have to sit on the sidelines of life.
Because sometimes, giving someone a voice is about more than just words. It’s about seeing their dignity, meeting them where they are, and giving them the tools to flourish.
So here’s to the innovators who dream with purpose, and to the quiet beauty of being heard. May we never take communication for granted.
