Today we spent most of the day at the Kavre school for the deaf. In traditional Nepali hospitality, we were greeted with tikas, scarves, a fruit offering, and their national flower, rhododendron. We learned some basics of Nepali sign language and the kids did a dance performance for us during their break.
In the school is also a space set aside for the deaf women’s empowerment group. This group make crafts they sell and also provides a support community for women who would otherwise be very isolated in their small villages. One woman described how the skills training she gained with this group gave her a self confidence she hadn’t experienced before. The women demonstrated how they make the cards with local paper and thread–some of us bravely took the challenge. We enjoyed a traditional meal of momos made by the women.
We also visited a school that has a program for blind and visually impaired students. A local Roteract club (young Rotarians) has developed a relationship with these students, providing fun programs and improving the living conditions of their school boarding house. Three of the students brilliantly played a guitar and sang for us. We shared afternoon tea with them under the awnings to stay out of the rain.