A Vocation for Deaf Children  

In partnership with School for the Deaf

Our aim: to turn education into employment, by providing deaf children attending school, with vocational training

Who are we helping?

It is estimated that there are more than 700,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Nepal, and that only 1% of them have access to education. The stigma attached to hiring people with disabilities in Nepal, means it is hard for deaf children to train for a vocation or find a job. 

The School for the Deaf was established in 1975 by local people with a special interest for deaf children, in the area of Bhairahawa, in Rupandehi district in the south of Nepal.  It is the only specialist school for deaf children in the entire Lumbini Zone, but receives limited support from the Government.  The school provides formal primary and secondary education classes to 155 children, many of whom walk for hours to reach it, but after Grade 10 (age 15), these children have nowhere to go, and have limited prospects for future employment.

  

What are we doing to help?

We are working in partnership with the School for the Deaf, to offer Vocational Training Courses to the students. This will enable the children to complete a full education, as well as the qualifications and skills to gain employment and become confident, independent and capable citizens.

Each year, 8 to 10 children who have completed their schooling will have the opportunity to attend IT training to become skilled computer operators.  Children in the final 3 years of their schooling will also have regular computer classes, to gain basic IT skills which will give them an advantage in finding employment.  CWS will work closely with the computer teacher to make sure the classes are of a high standard, and will also train staff at the school to build up relations with potential future employers for the students.