Using your hands to talk about sex!

Lack of information
In Vietnam information or education on sexuality, relationships and prevention of illnesses or pregnancy is hard to come by for young people. Often it is difficult to talk about these issues with partents or other adults. For deaf young people this is even harder. Deaf young people are deprived of this sort of information by lack of special education programmes and teachers who know sign language. The teenagers have low self esteem because of it and they are more vulnerable to sexual violence or coercion.

Glossary in sign language
In Vietnam a standard sign language does not exist. The Xa Dan school will develop a special glossary for sexuality education and life skills in sign language. WPF will also train the teachers in teaching the lessons and parents will be invited to attend meetings on the subject.

Launch of the programme
The launch of the programme was officially celebrated at the Xa Dan school by an agreement to cooperate between Ms. Tran Thi Minh Phuong, director of the school, and Ms. Carin van der Hor, WPF representative. Mr. Tran Viet Quan spoke on behalf of many parents: “our children have to deal with so many difficulties already. I welcome every initiative to make their lives easier. I’m happy that our children do not remain ignorant on issues such as sexuality and reproduction.” All female school teachers were dressed in Ao Dai, the tradional dress for special occasions.

Broaden the programme
WPF and the Xa Dan school have been working together for two years. Earlier a forum meeting was organized on sexual and reproductive health and some short documentaries were made on the situation of young disabled people. If this programme is a succes and if adequate funding will be found, WPF will broaden the programme for young people with different disabilities.

Funding
May 23rd WPF became one of the winners in the World Bank Global Development Marketplace competition. The project proposal was selected as one of the 104 finalists in the World Bank Global Marketplace, a competition for small scaled, creative development projects. Originally 3000 project proposals entered the competition.

>> World Bank

Results 2009
In 2009, the developed teaching method was piloted.
88 Students took part in the pilot. The method consists of a training manual, a glossary in sign language and an advisory manual for teachers.
A counselling manual for teachers has been developed as well. 497 Students made use of the opportunity to receive counselling.
Over 700 copies of the SRHR brochures and information materials were disseminated among parents and teachers during discussion sessions.
The project evaluation showed very positive results.

The project was ended at the end of November 2009. WPF tries to find funding to introduce the project in other schools for hearing impaired young people in Vietnam. Moreover, there are plans to develop sexuality education for blind pupils, based on the experiences with a similar project in Indonesia.