Our capacity building programme with young deaf professionals has ended. We worked for six months with eight Indians, two Nepalis, and two Ugandans on the development of curricula and training materials.

This was a new experience for everyone because there was no predetermined content or timetable, and we co-created the programme continuously as it unfolded. The trainees learned about language and literacy in deaf communities, general principles of pedagogy, and technical skills for developing visual learning materials. Along the way, we used many forms of discussions, games, and interactive activities. Trainees also had to lecture to each other and created a sign language-based handbook on language and literacy.

Noah Ahereza from Uganda commented on the training:

“All the tools used here helped activate and draw out our own ideas, and this is very important. When I go back to Uganda, I want to have my own group of trainees and just like here, I will only present one part of the ideas and then use these tools to get all my students to contribute their own ideas”.

Before the training ended, we were able to gather once more at Shikha Eco-Learning Village to celebrate.