Have you ever taken part in a volunteering experience for members of the D/deaf community?

No

Has the trip inspired you to learn sign language in a different culture?

Yes and I did learn some.

Was there any particular moment that really stood out to you and made you think about the purpose behind your trip?

When I was asked to deliver training to all the teachers of the deaf in the school I was volunteer teaching in.

Have you made any friends for life? If so, who and why?

The British group of volunteers I worked with on my first renovation project. The organiser of VoluntEars and the Principal of the school I taught in.

Was there a specific activity that really pushed your boundaries in terms of skill and confidence?

Teaching D/deaf children with different signed and written/spoken language.

Did you feel a sense of community working so closely with other members of the D/deaf community?

Absolutely.

Did you feel you could connect with the D/deaf children in the local school, despite language barriers?

We communicated much more effectively than I did with the hearing non-English speaking teachers!

What effect did the trip have on your overall perception on life?

Renewed and reinvigorated my self-confidence and excited me about teaching all over again.

What are your future volunteering plans?

To be dreamt and thought about but it will definitely be something that I would do again.