School for Deaf
* It is estimated that there are more than 700,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Nepal.
* Only 1% of all deaf children have access to education.
* The lack of sign language interpreters means there is a serious lack of facilities for higher level education and vocational training.
The School for Deaf offers education, vocational training to deaf children and young adults and to give them qualifications and the skills to get a job.
The severe stigmatisation these children and young people have to deal and live with cripples them from entering society and being able to support themselves. This project helps young people obtain a sound formal education and also provides them with vocational training and upon graduation, a job opportunity which will enable them to secure their own livelihood.
The School for Deaf is situated in Siddhartnagar in Rupandehi, Lumbini zone in Nepal. This school was one of the first schools for deaf children (established in 1975) and is still to date the only one in the whole Lumbini Zone (the population size is approximately 2 million).
There are currently 155 students attending the school. Children from many areas attend this school and some of them walk for 3 hours or more to get to school. A hostel is provided for 65 children whose homes are too far from the school.