School for Blind and Deaf Children - Sri Lanka

Product Details

These two projects are based in the small coastal town of Tangalla in the south of Sri Lanka. Tangalla (population 6,000) is centred around a traditional market. The economy is based upon fishing and farming. There are also a number of comfortable guesthouses to cater for the small number of tourists who come to enjoy the extensive beaches, surfing and view the wildlife. Sri Lanka’s main game reserve is situated just south of the town. Tangalla is set back from a long sandy ‘picture postcard’ bay three or four miles in length. It has not developed as a tourist destination so the only time that the beaches are busy are in the morning and evening when the fishermen pull their boats ashore, unload their catch and mend their nets.

Unfortunately the town and surrounding area was badly damaged in the tsunami disaster. Many fishermen lost their boats and most properties within 100 metres of the shore were completely destroyed. A considerable amount of work has been done to rebuild the area and the economy is now on the road to as full recovery.

Outreach International have placements in and around Tangalla with the disabled, teaching in schools, working with giant sea turtles and also helping at the school for deaf children and the school for blind children.

Deaf School

This is situated a few miles from the town in spacious grounds. It is set in ten hectares of palm trees which provide welcome shade and also a source of revenue for the school which receives minimal government funding. It provides an education for 110 children aged from five to 20. Seventy-five of these sleep at the school in comfortable dormitories. The buildings and grounds have been lovingly cared for and there is a positive, vibrant feeling to the school. The teachers provide an all-round education and the older ones are taught a vocational skill such as metalwork, carpentry, cooking or sewing.

School for the Blind

This is situated on the outskirts of Tangalla approximately two miles from the deaf school. The schools are closely affiliated and volunteers could easily work at both. There are 58 children aged from five to 20 who receive a basic education. Unfortunately since the tsunami there has been a breakdown in funding and the school is now short of all educational equipment. The children are wonderful and it has the potential to be a great centre. There is plenty of space but due to a shortage of money and a lack of volunteer support it looks and feels a bit shabby!

Role of Volunteers

In addition to working with the children you could very usefully work in the grounds, set up touch/feel areas and bring some vibrant energy to the centres. The education that the children receive is adequate but volunteers are needed to assist the staff, teach English, put on a variety of extra-curricular activities, teach art/craft and games and also give the children some much-needed love and attention. Just as importantly you are needed to co-ordinate general improvements and come up with creative ideas for unused buildings. One of the joys of these two projects is that there is a tremendous variety of activities that volunteers can get involved in. Artists are needed to decorate the walls with murals, anyone with musical skills could use percussion instruments to teach the children rhythm, the outside areas need sorting out and could be made ‘child friendly’. It would be beneficial if you had some experience working with the deaf or blind but most importantly we need volunteers with energy, enthusiasm and common sense.

Accommodation, time off and working hours

You would normally live with other volunteers in a great guesthouse, which is a close walk to the ocean. There is however a private room at the deaf school that could be used. You would be given an allowance for food. The staple diet is fish, prawns, rice and an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Pineapples, mangoes, guavas, papaya, avocadoes, limes and tomatoes area all grown locally. These can all be bought very cheaply in the local market. The teaching day is normally 8:30am to 2pm. Afternoons are free for putting on extra-curricular activities, playing with the children and helping out at the centre(s). As already stated there is a huge amount to do but not much initial guidance to get activities started. There is however a small budget for volunteer resources. The schools are open at weekends but you would normally have these free to explore the wonderful coastline and other parts of Sri Lanka.