Mr Elias Kamaar, a 72-year-old man was born and raised in District Six. He attended Trafalgar High School and enjoyed participating in rugby and cricket. He attended school until standard eight, and thereafter studied construction at Cape Peninsula College. He started working as an apprentice carpenter at the age of 17 years. He enjoyed a memorable childhood, living amongst his extended family and growing up with his cousins.
Mr Kamaar is now a father of three and grandfather to 15 grandchildren. He enjoys being around his family, however, hearing loss does make it difficult to communicate with them. He struggled with hearing loss for 30 years due to the noise exposure in the construction industry, but could not afford hearing aids. He accepted the hearing loss and tried to not let it affect his emotions, but it would get frustrating occasionally. The Spirit Community Foundation assisted Mr Kamaar to undergo comprehensive diagnostic hearing evaluations and be fitted with a hearing aid. He now enjoys the experience of hearing and has a deeper appreciation for all the aspects of sound.