CARE FOR CHILDEN IN A DEAF SCHOOL IN MADURAI

This extremely worthwhile project enables you to help a very much neglected section of society in the sub-continent. The children will absolutely love having you there almost as much as you will love helping them in their every day school lives.

Disability in India is often viewed as a punishment for a misdeed committed in a previous life and whole families can suffer as a result of the social stigma attached to hearing impairment. Many hearing impaired children and young people are abandoned by their families and face life being ostracised by communities and lacking access to education and training.
 

Also on this page:

• Teaching and Fun

• About your Work

• Accommodation

• Travel

PROJECT OVERVIEW
You'll work at a Deaf School in the delightful and bustling city of Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The school aims to provide opportunities for marginalised hearing impaired children and young people to receive a basic education and become integrated into their family and the rest of society.

The centre runs a pre-school, primary school and a high school as well as a course for integrating 11-16 year olds with hearing difficulties into standard schools. A vocational training centre based at the high school provides young people who have finished their education (or who have dropped out) with skills training in embroidery and tailoring for the girls and bakery for the boys. The project supports and assists them to find work placements.

WORK CONTENT:
There are approximately 170 children in the school ranging from 5 to 18 years of age and the children are taught Indian sign language but are really interested in learning English sign language too which the Principle encourages. As well as assisting the teachers in various classes, you will be able to play games with them in the afternoons for an hour after school - they love volleyball and football!

You will normally be teaching between 9am to 4.25 pm.

“The languages used are Indian Sign Language, Tamil and a little English. Indian Sign Language is similar to British Sign Language, so it’s extremely helpful to have knowledge of BSL, at least to Level One I reckon. Experience of working with/being around deaf people is essential as the noises and mannerisms used by the students can be disconcerting. Overall a very interesting and enjoyable placement which I’d like to repeat once my signing improves!” Rosie Greaves, Volunteer Feb-May ‘08

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION




 

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

Your accommodation could comprise of either staying with a host family or living in a Travellers flat. In either accommodation you may share a room with another Travellers volunteer. The accommodation you’ll be allocated to will depend on which project you’re doing and the number of volunteers there at the same time as you. However, if you have a preference for either a host family or staying in a flat, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Host Family
For a complete Indian experience we can arrange for you to stay with one of wonderful host families. All of our hosts are very welcoming and not only will be made to feel part of the family you’ll also gain a great insight into Indian culture and customs. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave India and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family.

You may share a room with one other volunteer; and you may have an en-suite western style bathroom. Most of the showers in our host accommodation are cold water only – however your hosts will boil water for you.

All of our host family houses are close together and just a few minutes’ walk away from internet cafes, banks and snack shops and just a short auto ride into the centre of town. Our staff in Madurai also lives close-by.

All your meals will be provided and prepared for you by the family and it is mainly local fare allowing you to taste a varied selection of delicious south Indian dishes and exotic fruits. You'll also have access to the kitchen if you want to make snacks or drinks.

Volunteer Flat
Our volunteer flat is situated close to all our host families. This option gives you the chance to live within the local community whilst at the same time retaining your independence. This newly built flat is very modern, spacious, light and airy. It has a well kitted out kitchen and large lounge area with satellite TV, DVD and a good selection of DVDs for your entertainment. DVD’s however are extremely cheap to buy in the market at Rs 20 each! There is also a small balcony on which to relax with a cool drink and a book and gets a wonderfully refreshing evening breeze to keep you cool!

You will be provided with a food budget giving you the option to either cook for yourself or sample the local restaurants. Eating out is extremely cheap in Madurai. Opposite the flat is a tasty vegetarian restaurant with excellent south Indian Thali’s and Dosa’s. There is a supermarket just outside the flat selling everything from groceries to clothes and a meat shop below where non vegetarians can stock up on sausages! Many of the hotels in town have roof top restaurants offering incredible views across the town with the dramatic Sri Meenakshi Temple silhouetted on the skyline. Most restaurants are good quality and you can sample north as well as south Indian dishes along with a small selection of western food. Vegetarian food is in abundance! Bakeries and snack shops are on every street and be sure to try the delicious fruit; there is so much choice; mango, pineapple, water melon, custard apples and jack fruit make a very refreshing option and coconut water is also delicious!

To read about the extensive Support & Backup we provide in our countries, please click here.