8th May 2020

I’m currently working on hearing assessments for Deaf children in Rwanda.  Even though all SEN children are now able to attend mainstream schools, including those that are deaf and blind, there is barely any provision for them as yet and very few resources. As I trained as a teacher of the deaf, I am really keen to focus on this area, and more so recently as I considering going back to the UK. I have been trying to get in touch with the Rwandan National Union of the Deaf, but have so far been unsuccessful. Today a contact has managed to sort out for me to visit with a view to picking up a child friend sign language book. This is so desperately needed in schools as deaf children are receiving no access to sign.  It is a 3 mile walk away and Google maps suggests it will take an hour.  It took almost double this, as Google obviously wasn’t aware of the many steep hills and dirt tracks that would be my path.I managed to get hold of the book which would be absolutely perfect as a beginners introduction to sign language for both students and teachers. I’m excited with my find, and feel that if I do go home at least I now have the contact with the RNUD.

The walk is beautiful, and I see many efforts are being made to channel the rainwater that has flooded some of the area recently.