The ‘Unidad Educativa Huascar Cajias’ is a school for deaf
children in
Villa Pabon, La Paz. About 50 students
receive their education at the school, from Monday to Friday
during afternoon hours. All the children have moderate to
profound hearing loss, some also have additional disabilities.
The school offers primary education, after which students are
integrated in a regular high school where they are supported by
a sign language interpreter.
The children at school receive hearing aids as a donation from ‘Amigos del Hogar’ and are supported in their speech development by a speech teacher. All the teachers use Sign supported Spanish, or Sign Language of Bolivia, which is related to American Sign Language. Parents receive sign language courses and other workshops at the school. A social worker visits the families to support them in the education of their deaf child
VOLUNTEER PROFILE AND ACTIVITIES
The teachers who work at the school did not receive professional training to teach deaf children, however they are very motivated and follow courses to maximize their abilities, such as sign language and special education. A hearing professional, who has experience in working with deaf children, would be able to pass their skills onto the full time staff and make a vast difference.
A volunteer with experience in deaf education could:
A speech therapist with experience in articulation therapy with
deaf children could:
Apart from ‘professional’ volunteers, the school could greatly benefit from volunteers who have not yet experienced working with deaf children. These volunteers can:
The school and ‘Amigos del Hogar’ are not able to pay volunteers
for their work or for their stay. On the other hand, volunteers
don’t have to pay an inscription fee to volunteer at the
school.The school is open from February through November, and
closes in the Bolivian winter for about three weeks (starting
the last week of June).
La Paz is a spectacular city situated in a hollow on the high andean planes. Despite its high altitude of approximately 3600m, the climate is generally good, with the dry, cold season in the months of June to August, and the rainy season from January to March. Accomodation is easy to find, with a Bolivian family, or in a separate apartment. Depending on the degree of comfort required, prices can range between $50-$150 per month. Food is inexpensive therefore a budget of about $100-$150 per month, apart from the rent, is perfectly realistic. The school is not able to provide accommodation or meals. ‘Amigos del Hogar’ can arrange a stay with a family or can help to look for a private or shared apartment, according to the wishes of the volunteer.
If you have skills that you think you could make a valuable contribution to Unidad Educativa Huascar Cajias and the Hearing Program, please fill in the volunteer application form and send it to us. We will then be in touch regarding any questions or doubts you may have.
The children at school receive hearing aids as a donation from ‘Amigos del Hogar’ and are supported in their speech development by a speech teacher. All the teachers use Sign supported Spanish, or Sign Language of Bolivia, which is related to American Sign Language. Parents receive sign language courses and other workshops at the school. A social worker visits the families to support them in the education of their deaf child
VOLUNTEER PROFILE AND ACTIVITIES
The teachers who work at the school did not receive professional training to teach deaf children, however they are very motivated and follow courses to maximize their abilities, such as sign language and special education. A hearing professional, who has experience in working with deaf children, would be able to pass their skills onto the full time staff and make a vast difference.
A volunteer with experience in deaf education could:
- assist the teachers in teaching the children to read and write
- support the teachers in improving the self esteem of the children
- adjust teaching methods to the needs of the deaf children and their teachers
- support the children in the process to adapt to the use of hearing aids
- give workshops to teachers and parents to improve their knowledge of the needs of the deaf children
- work together with the social worker and parents to improve their understanding of the children’s potential
- develop projects to work with the teachers and the children in certain subjects (Deaf culture, poetry in sign language etc.)
A speech therapist with experience in articulation therapy with
deaf children could:
- support the local speech teacher in determining the articulation level and the auditory possibilities of each child and adjust the therapies accordingly
- support the local speech teacher in therapeutic methods to optimize the oral skills of the children
- give workshops to teachers and parents to improve methods of practicing oral skills with the children
- support the local speech teacher and the teachers in the use of the hearing aids
Apart from ‘professional’ volunteers, the school could greatly benefit from volunteers who have not yet experienced working with deaf children. These volunteers can:
- work with the children in creative activities: drama, music, dance, handwork, painting, etc.
- develop projects to work with the teachers and the children in certain subjects: improving self esteem, informing the community about deaf issues, working with visions for the future, etc.
- assist the teachers in the classroom: helping the children with their work, work with a small group of children, etc.
The school and ‘Amigos del Hogar’ are not able to pay volunteers
for their work or for their stay. On the other hand, volunteers
don’t have to pay an inscription fee to volunteer at the
school.The school is open from February through November, and
closes in the Bolivian winter for about three weeks (starting
the last week of June).
La Paz is a spectacular city situated in a hollow on the high andean planes. Despite its high altitude of approximately 3600m, the climate is generally good, with the dry, cold season in the months of June to August, and the rainy season from January to March. Accomodation is easy to find, with a Bolivian family, or in a separate apartment. Depending on the degree of comfort required, prices can range between $50-$150 per month. Food is inexpensive therefore a budget of about $100-$150 per month, apart from the rent, is perfectly realistic. The school is not able to provide accommodation or meals. ‘Amigos del Hogar’ can arrange a stay with a family or can help to look for a private or shared apartment, according to the wishes of the volunteer.
If you have skills that you think you could make a valuable contribution to Unidad Educativa Huascar Cajias and the Hearing Program, please fill in the volunteer application form and send it to us. We will then be in touch regarding any questions or doubts you may have.
