Hearing-impaired Singaporean Volunteer Steps up Disability Education in Timor Leste

Dili, Timor Leste, 4 March 2010 — SIF volunteer Mr Alvan Yap Boon Sheng began a year-long project on 16 January 2010 to improve teaching and curricula for hearing-impaired students in Dili, Timor Leste.

Hearing-impaired himself, Alvan is volunteering at the Agape Deaf International School, teaching students International Sign Language. He is also developing a standard curriculum for the hearing-impaired that can be used by local educators.

Apart from working with schools and teachers, Alvan is setting up activities and programmes to aid communication between the hearing-impaired and their families and communities. He is also tasked with identifying local teachers with the potential to be trained in teaching the hearing-impaired.

Alvan’s efforts in Timor Leste are aimed at improving understanding of and the quality of education available for the hearing-impaired, and to enhance future employment prospects for these children and adults.

The SIF is partnered with non-government organisation The Agape Foundation for Asia Pacific Ministries for this project.