The lack of sign language teachers in Northern Uganda may seem like an inconsequential problem when sized up against other world issues, but to 15-year-old Patrick Otema, it’s the difference between a life of isolation and the chance to share his thoughts with others. Britain’s Channel 4 recently released a preview of Patrick Speaks, a film which highlights just how much a conversation can change a person’s life.

In America, the deaf lead lives nearly identical to the hearing. The deaf go to school, chat with friends, even go viral on the Internet with a dancing video. Unfortunately, the situation isn’t quite as pleasant for deaf individuals who don’t live in the vicinity of a school designed to facilitate their handicap. Channel 4 reporter Kiki King explains in the film how the majority of deaf individuals in sub-Saharan Africa have never been taught sign language.

The World Health Organization reported that sub-Saharan Africa actually has the highest rates of disabled hearing children in the world. This is due to a large number of people becoming deaf after contracting disease such as measles, malaria, and mumps. For example, according to Hearit.org, a quarter of all cases of hearing loss in Nigeria can be attributed to meningitis.

In the documentary, which is set to premiere on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, we are introduced to Raymond Okkelo, a sign language teacher who hopes to change the lives of Patrick and other deaf individuals in the area. Okkelo’s students are diverse, ranging from a 9-year-old boy to an 80-year-old woman. In the film, you can see the shy and withdrawn Patrick become lively and all smiles as he finally learns to communicate with others.

“Patrick’s transformation is amazing. It’s almost impossible to believe it’s the same boy we met yesterday,” King says.

To watch the full story and see Otema’s transformation from start to finish, tune into the world premiere of “Unreported World: 15 and Learning to Speak,” next Friday, and make sure to bring tissues.