From Dorset to Nepal - a gift for deaf children

In July 2015 we returned to the UK to see family and friends. While there we visited Beaminster School and updated the students about  our VSO work and experiences in Nepal. Post earthquake they had worked hard to raise money which they gave to us to put towards a worthy project. Friends in Dorset added to this sum which was wonderful. Both groups told us to spend it as we saw fit, on whatever we thought appropriate. You would think that would be an easy task, so many needs are apparent. We encounter many needy families, children unable to go to school, extremely low incomes and special cases, whenever we visit rural communities. However although giving would be easy the question we ask ourselves is how is this sustainable, will the money go towards the child's education or towards less favourable items causing more harm than good?

Some months ago I attended a Teacher Training Workshop at Bhakti Namuna School. I was asked to take a short session on the use of educational games which I was delighted to do. One of the teachers, who was most enthusiastic about the games, was a profoundly deaf teacher. He and his colleague, who was acting as his sign interpreter, came from the deaf unit at the same school. 

A few weeks later I visited again to check on the building of 2 semi-permanent classrooms that  Global Action Nepal were arranging. With the help of a  friend I visited the deaf unit to find out more about the circumstances of the students. There are 31 students aged from 5 - 16 years old. They come from Lamjung, Gorkha, and Tanahu Districts (the equivalent to counties in the UK) in the Western Region which is actually in the lower hill area of North, Central Nepal. So their families are many hours away and a few are from much further. So this is a boarding unit where the children live for most of the year. They are taught and cared for by 3 teachers and one or 2 didis. There is one teacher and a didi with them 24 hours a day.

What was immediately apparent was the love and care in the unit. However I was very aware that although the basic care essentials were in place there was little play equipment and few extras. This was it - the project that I had been looking for. It just felt right. Hopefully you will understand if you read this blog.

As I talked to the staff, through Nepal speakers and interpreter, and let the situation dawn, I felt that it would be wonderful to provide sport and games equipment for the school. We asked Sunil, the deaf lead teacher, for his thoughts. He was delighted but asked if we could help with a simple uniform or tracksuit and shoes that the children could change into after school. After doing some rough calculations it would be possible to do both. 

One of our sons, Nick, and Kerry came to visit in January and we had a wonderful time buying a tin trunk and selecting sports equipment. We then planned a visit and the photos will tell you more....

The word delight doesn't really capture the excitement.

We filled the trunk with balls, skipping ropes (good old fashion rope), badminton, volleyball and table tennis kits, Frisbees and more. Although I have taught deaf children in the past they had been fortunate enough to have been "helped" with their speech (a simplification that I am aware of). These students have no speech but that doesn't stop the squeaks and squeals of delight and lots of sign language indicating how happy they were. Quite overcoming for Nick and I. Very sadly Kerry was unwell, we missed her expertise and experience, as a speech and language therapist, and we were both aware that she would have been delighted with this welcome and sad to have missed it.

There was similar excitement when they saw the educational posters.

We tried out some of the equipment. I am not sure who enjoyed this most!

Nick in his element - well done Beaminster School and the Sports Leadership scheme!

Sunil proved himself as a very capable skipper and encouraged everyone to have a go!

Some delighted students and staff. Nick and I were pretty pleased as well.

After 2 hours of "full on" fun with balls, Frisbees and ropes Nick and I left exhausted, with a promise to return a few days later. Sunil planned to find out more about the cost of the clothing and the building of a table tennis table.

Our next visit included Simon and Kerry. We decided to concentrate on Ultimate Frisbee a game that I have been promoting recently. I had not known about this sport until I did an internet search for ideas of what to do with the Frisbees that had appeared in the "School in a Box" equipment from Unicef. Thank you. What an amazingly easy but wonderful game especially in Nepal where sports fields are not available in rural areas. Although flat is obviously desirable, conditions of play areas favour something in the air rather than on the ground. Perfect, exciting and easy to teach, learn and play. Easily adaptable for size and area available. I recommend it at home.

First a simple practice of throwing and catching.

The younger ones soon got the hang of it as well.

There were soon Frisbees flying and lots of onlookers adding to the organised chaos!

This is a large school and they are fortunate to have excellent outdoor areas. It was built with the help of funding from a German Hydro Electric scheme nearby. There was considerable damage from the earthquake which is not obvious in the photos. The large grounds are perfect, especially on Saturdays and during school holidays, for the deaf students to make use of the sport equipment. I am also hoping that it will be a method for increasing integration with the other students and show that these students have normal ability on the sports field. There appears to be very little understanding of Special Needs here in  rural Nepal. Disabilities are accepted and dealt with at a basic level  but not understood. Another reason why Sunil, and this little unit, is such an important example and champion.

A short explanation of Ultimate Frisbee and team identification. A use for all of the welcome scarves!

Young, old, girls and boys quickly understood the game.

Lots of action and smiles.

Not sure who is enjoying this most!

Skill development was fast.

A

This young man is a star. A sports leader in the making.

A few of the students have extremely difficult family circumstances. Some are orphans. Thank goodness they have the opportunity to be part of this caring "family". Kerry remarked at how calm and relaxed most of the students were. We could see some frustration, especially of the younger children, but they were all able to join in, and enjoy these activities. The older ones seemed very calm and content.

We were shown the living and sleeping accommodation and were all impressed with the order, simplicity and cleanliness. These are in what I imagine were old, original classrooms. They must be extremely cold in the winter months. The boys proudly showed us their spaces.

The boys dormitory for 16. 

The girls dormitory for 15.

31 students and 3 teachers work in a single classroom. It is the brightest one that I have seen in Nepal with lots of posters with signing information. However it must be extremely difficult to manage in such a small space with a huge diversity of ages and abilities. We learnt that after the students reach class 5 they will hopefully move to a Higher Secondary Unit as far away as Pokhara or Kathmandu. Many are older than average due perhaps a late start in school and the challenge of learning. The Nepal education system is based on students passing the end of year exams. If they do not reach the required standard they remain in the same class. We felt that this team was doing their very best to prepare these young people for their future. They are fortunate to be among the few to receive this positive start but have a long journey ahead.

Kerry studying the sign language dictionary.

There is still money in the kitty so the next plan is to provide learning resources and equipment. If any readers have good ideas perhaps you could contact me. I am not a specialist, just an enthusiast! There will be a Part 2 to this blog....watch this space!

Handing over money for clothing.

We had enormously enjoyed this visit. Simon, Nick and Kerry all agreed that it felt right to be helping this wonderful man and the work that he and his colleagues are doing for the students' education and life skills. They are indeed fortunate. So many children with Special Needs do not get this level of understanding or special care. Thank you to those of you who raised money. I hope that you are happy at how it is being spent.