A FIREWALKING event is being held at Sankey Valley St James’ CE Primary School to raise money for victims of the Nepal earthquake and deaf people in the country.
The Deaf Nepal Expedition 2015 is aiming to raise a minimum of £30,000, which will go towards Shree Buddha Dahal Deaf School in Damauli, Tanahun District in Nepal for a Hostel proposal, as well as welcoming donations for Quake Aid.
Nepal was recently hit by the worst earthquake for 80 years at a scale of 7.9, damaging many buildings including some dating back hundreds of years, with more than 5,000 people losing their lives.
The firewalking event will take place on Saturday June 13th from 4pm to 8pm, with entry to watch free of charge. There will be stalls and activities including face painting, a bouncy castle and candy floss.
In November 2015, a team of people will be flying out to Nepal to visit Deaf schools, as well as Deaf associations with the aim to develop friendships with the Nepalese Deaf schools and to offer support by providing resources and materials to improve their quality of life and access to education.
Led by Warrington based Greg Pierssene, the team is made up of 20 deaf and non-deaf participants, with everyone involved competent in the use of British Sign Language.
Pierssene said: “Back in 2013, I was a participant in the expedition team. Proposals were sent in for how the fundraised monies would be spent. We accepted a few of the many proposals that were received. Examples of these are; the building of safety walls, kitchen refurbishment and dormitory furnishing for Taplejung Deaf school in the Far North East of Nepal which we have already visited to witness the safety walls after the completion of the works.
“Before our donations, the school only had 9 Deaf children and has now seen significant growth to over 30 Deaf children due to the increasing awareness via media. In the UK, education is as a right to us but sadly in Nepal, education seems unnecessary to many citizens.
“However, education is more important to the Nepalese population now. Vulnerable Nepalese Deaf children are doubly disadvantaged because they are uneducated and have a disability.
“Their parents do not think they have any future at all and language between the parents/hearing people and Deaf children is very limited.
“We have witnessed this in Taplejung despite Nepal having their own Sign Language just like British Sign Language in the UK. We want to see this situation addressed and want to see a lot more Deaf children in education, therefore equalling a better quality of life and future.”
To make a donation, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/dne15team
1 Comment
Good luck with your fundraising for Nepal.