I am leaving my safe little world to travel to Rwanda in January to work with teachers and students at Umutara Deaf School. Why? Last year I heard my friend Isobel give a presentation about her time working for VSO in Rwanda. I was so affected by this that I have decided to do something myself to make a difference.
All schools for Deaf children in Rwanda are privately run, funded by school fees from those families that can afford them and donations - there is no government funding.
Umutara Deaf School is residential and currently has 100 students ranging in age from 7-22 years. These children are from poor rural families in this remote area. They are taught sign language and skills for a trade that will support them when they leave.
The projects I would like to support are mosquito nets for the bunk beds, educational materials including items for the school library, chickens for the school henhouse and goats to be donated to the poorest families of the students to help them become self sufficient and contribute towards school fees. A mosquito net costs £3, a chicken £6 (a Sunday roast to you?) and a goat £50.
I will be volunteering at the school in the new year, to make a difference educationally, to raise awareness and, with your help, financially. I will be funding my own expenses so every penny raised by this page will benefit the school and its students.
For more information see the school website at http://umutaradeafschool.weebly.com/support-us.html
or Isobel's blog at https://iblakeley.wordpress.com