Behinderung und Entwicklungs­zusammen­arbeit e.V.

School for the deaf St. Mark – Bwanda/Masaka, Uganda

The school for the deaf St. Mark in Bwanda/Masaka wants to give deaf people access to education.
Education is seen as an important step to improve living conditions of deaf people. St. Mark includes a kindergarten, where all children learn the local sign language and a comprehensive school up to the 7th grade. The children and adolescents are accommodated in the boarding school. Many employees are deaf themselves.

Tasks for volunteers:

• Support and cooperation in teaching and/or support and organisation of leisure in the afternoon.
• The volunteer can make sportive, playful and creative offers, especially in the afternoon and on weekends.
• Depending on the knowledge and interest of the school management, the volunteer may be involved in the administrative tasks.

Requirements for volunteers:

• Basic knowledge of at least German Sign Language (DGS) required.
• willingness to learn Ugandan sign language is a prerequisite
• First experiences in child and youth work are advantageous
• Self-dependence and motivation, adaptability and intercultural sensitivity
• Enjoy dealing with deaf people

Number of volunteers: 1
Accommodation: Private apartment on school ground
Departure: August/September
Stay: 12 months

Note: Deaf volunteers and people who speak DGS will be preferred.

Rwera Mixed Primary School/ Unit for the Deaf, Uganda

The primary school "RWERA UNIT FOR THE DEAF" is a boarding school for deaf children. It also teaches children who have other disabilities besides deafness. The aim of the school is to support the children in their abilities and prepare them for the future. Education is seen as an important step for the improvement of the living conditions. The school is located in the Ntungamo district, 230 kilometers west of Masaka and only 10 kilometers east of the Rwandan border. At the moment about 80 children are attending the school, some of them coming from difficult family backgrounds.

Tasks for volunteers: 

The volunteer supports the teachers in planning and carrying out the lessons and in the leisure activities.

The volunteer has the opportunity to do this: 

• to specifically support individual pupils in class
• to make independent offers in the school's leisure area, especially in the areas of games, sports and computers

Requirements for volunteers: 

• Basic knowledge of German Sign Language (DGS) required
• Willingness to learn the Ugandan sign language is a prerequisite  
• English language skills 
• Computer skills 
• Pleasure in sports activities 
• Independence and motivation, adaptability and intercultural sensitivity   
• Pleasure in dealing with deaf children

Number of volunteers: 1
Departure: August
Stay: 12 months 
Accommodation: School near the school grounds