Spend your gap year or career break volunteering at this lively project near Pokhara,
Nepal. This vibrant deaf school needs volunteers to teach art, craft, music, English, sports including
football, volleyball, basketball and table tennis. We teach Nepalese sign language.
Description of Project
The deaf school is based in a lovely village community 8km from Pokhara and half a mile down
a dirt track off the larger tarmac road. Beyond the school playground the massive, snow-capped peaks
of the Himalayas glisten dramatically, whereas the immediate surrounds are gentle gardens with flowers
spilling over the school wall. The commitment, care, dedication and professionalism of the staff are
superb. Some of the staff are deaf but they all communicate in sign language. It would take approximately
two weeks for a volunteer to learn basic Nepali sign language and the project staff are happy to teach it
to volunteers. Most of the staff also speak good English. They care enormously about their work and would
offer the highest possible level of support to volunteers interested in working with deaf children. There
are 210 pupils aged 5–25. Those living in Pokhara are brought in by bus each morning and those living
further afield stay in the boarding hostel. The older ones attend school part time and also study at the
vocational training centre. Currently they can learn tailoring, computers, typing, and secretarial skills. Also speech
therapy, which is in English. The children can all read and write Nepali and English.
The staff salaries are paid by the Nepal government but there is no money for resources, materials
or equipment. There is however a small, well stocked library with books in English and Nepalese and a
modern computer suite. These have all been provided by one of the international donors.
Summary
Project Code: N9
Main Activity of Project: Teaching English / Sport / Singing / Art.
Minimum Period of Stay: Two months.
Cost: One month: £1305. Three months: £2515. For full details of our prices please see our costs page.
Volunteer Responsibilities / Activities
Volunteer activities would include teaching sports, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and
football in particular. Volunteers could also teach singing, art and handicrafts. The children all
receive speech therapy in English and also study written English. It's hoped that you would be able to
teach them English by assisting the speech therapist and by taking your own classes in written English.
A gap year or career break volunteer interested in working with deaf children and deaf adults would
find this incredibly rewarding. What the deaf school doesn't have in money it certainly makes up for
in terms of care and attention.
" I went to Nepal with basic BSL - although Nepali sign and BSL are very different I did find it useful knowing some British sign. I would say - learn the International Alphabet - which they use when spelling, I did not know this before I went, it might have made things a little easier at the beginning. I had no problem picking up Nepali sign and because they are all educated in written English you can write notes etc which made learning/ communicating possible when you were stuck. Other than getting stuck in, I don't think I have any particular advice about learning it - you really need to be very forward and not shy about communicating. All the teachers and students are fantastic and are desperate in getting to know and understand you - there is no shortage of people to sign with! There is a sign dictionary that GAD (the local deaf community group who have a lot to do with the school). This is in English (and Nepali) with really clear pictures of the sign. I was given one while I was there, and presented with one when I left - but it really was the most useful thing, a proper signing bible I don't know what I would have done without it. I would have found this so useful to swat up on before going - but not essential. In short, I found Nepalese as a language really hard to learn but Nepali sign really easy - but this may just be me! Like BSL, Nepali sign is incredibly logical.
All I can say is Nepali sign is so beautiful! It is so graceful and dance-like, unlike BSL!! I had so much fun learning it. I am sticking with sign language myself as I have just finished my Level 1 BSL and about to start Level 2 at the end of the month."
Anna Murray. Career break volunteer. Nepal
You could make a real difference – to others and yourself!
Outreach International need volunteers to work abroad in schools,
hospitals, orphanages, with the disabled, animals and animal rescue, wildlife, physiotherapy, medical projects, sports and on humanitarian and conservation projects in South America, Central America, Africa and Asia, including Ecuador, Mexico,
Costa Rica, Cambodia, Nepal, the Galapagos Islands, Kenya and Sri Lanka. We're always looking for Gap Year students or anyone who wants to take a career break, Summer holiday, Easter or Christmas vacation break or a few months or a year out volunteering
overseas.
