Excursion: JS Academy for the Deaf
Yesterday we visited the JS Academy for the Deaf, of course supported by the JS Group. First stop was the inauguration ceremony of the school's cricket pitch. The schools cricket team welcomed us with a mini cricket practice. You should have seen the out-of-practice, middle-aged Directors gamely bowling and batting in the practice pitch!
We were introduced to the founder of the school, a fighter-trailblazer of a woman, Ms. Laila Dossa who's been working with the hearing-impaired and the under-priviledged for over 20 years. She brought us to the school, gave a tour of the building and explained the work that the academy is doing. And it is very significant work as students from these institutions emerge as top students in the local board examinations.
Some of these developments by the educators from the JS Academy are: developing an Urdu-based sign language books which has never existed before in Pakistan. They're also the only institution for the deaf that offer vocational trainings to the students. The academy has an open door policy, accepting anyone who wishes to learn. From the child aged 3 enrolling in kindergarten, to the 25 year old who's never had a chance at education. The academy started 3 years ago with 5 students and today have 150 students in total, from kindergarten to secondary school level I believe.
The Academy is run on charity, and they charge students minimally 25 Pak rupees school fees. (i.e. SGD 0.50) and even at that amount, it is difficult for families of these children to pay that amount. What with the rising costs of food and fuel.
posted by Zafirah @ PM 05:37
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