With
each volunteer opportunity, individual experiences
differ based on expectations, desires, personal
background, etc... Working at the Kavre Deaf
School not only allows you to make an importnt
contribution to the education of the students,
but also provides opportunities to gain knowledge
about the deaf community in Nepal and learn
Nepali Sign Language. Contrary to popular belief
Sign Language is not universal. Each country
has its own Sign Language. In fact, even within
a country signs may differ from region to region,
much like an accent or dialect.Currently
there are 182 different Sign Languages including
dialects and sign systems.Within Nepal, Sign
Language is relatively new. Given that 24.6%
of the population in Nepal is deaf, and most
live in rural areas without access to education
or Sign Language training, it is difficult for
deaf students to get a proper education.Even
at deaf schools there is no curriculum designed
for deaf students. However, deaf students are
eager to learn and warmly welcome a chance to
improve their skills, especially in reading
and writing in English. When working at the
school it is possible to teach many different
subjects or skills from English to art to dance.
The Kavre Deaf School is situated on the hill-side
of Banpea, a town 22 kilometers east of Kathmandu.
Banepa is only 1- 1 1/2 hours from Kathmandu
by bus, but it provides easy access to the hills
overlooking the Kathmandu Valley as well as
interesting sights such as Dulikhel, Panauti,
Namo Buddha, and other historical temples.With
a combination of a small-town feel and easy
access to Kathmandu, Banepa is a peaceful and
interesting place to live.
When choosing to work at the deaf school, you
must be patient, friendly, willing to learn
Nepali Sign Language, and be willing to enter
a completely different world of signs and silence.
Teaching there can be a challenge due to the
languages being used (English, Sign Language,
Nepali, and any other language you bring as
a volunteer). However, it can be a wonderful
opportunity to work closely with the deaf community,
help the students improve their skills, and
also grow individually as you learn a new way
to think is a world without sound.
If you have any questions
about teaching at the Kavre Deaf School
please feel free to contact at vsnnepal@ntc.net.np
or previous volunteer Kirstin Powell
at kweilinkp@yahoo.com or Tracey Strathdee
at traceystrathdee@hotmail.com |
