Braille Without Borders

Do you know that 9 out of 10 visually impaired children in developing countries have no access to education?

The organization BWB believes that this situation can be changed, particularly by visionaries who are blind/partially sighted themselves.

After establishing the well known Braille Without Borders training center in Tibet with its unique concepts of empowering the blind to take their own projects in their own hands, the organization is now taking a next step: The realisation of the
International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE).

Through the IISE Braille without Borders aims to empower especially those blind and visually impaired people who feel an urge to make a positive change in their country, society or surrounding.

In a one year's course the IISE will train 25 to 40 participants (age 18+) who have the right initiative, motivation and potential to establish and run their own social projects.

Braille without Borders sees blind and visually impaired people who have gained self confidence by overcoming obstacles in life as natural detectors of social problems in society. Through the battle against daily discrimination a number of blind and visually impaired people developed strength and are able to act as problem solvers in their own surroundings.

Therefore the IISE will especially focus on participants who are blind and/or partially sighted. Over a one year's course the participants will be practically trained in management, fundraising, PR activities, project planning, computer technology and English, communication and soft skills. After this training they will be in a position to fight for their rights, to negotiate with governmental leaders and help to change the attitudes towards marginalized groups through setting up social and/or environmental projects in their own regions or countries.

In order to ensure high quality training the IISE will accommodate a maximum of 40 participants per annum. The institute will be run by a national and international team of highly qualified facilitators (catalysts).

Our search criteria for staff members will be creativity, motivation and qualification.

At the moment BWB is looking for academic personel and for a number of staffmembers, please click here for more information.

The IISE is located in the pristine purity of a little village by the side of the tranquil Vellayani lake In Trivandrum Kerala. The campus is built in an environmental friendly ethnic style based on the ideology of the renowned architect, the late Laurie Baker and implemented by Sajan of Costford. BWB has incorporated rain water harvesting, grey water tereatment, biogas, solar/wind energy and waste management systems along with ecosan toilets.

The idea is to make this project a model for all future institutions of its kind.

Applicants for the training will need the following skills and qualities:
- Creativity, innovation and motivation.
- For those who are blind or visually impaired: Reading and writing enlarged print or
English Braille (grade 1 and 2)
- Ability to Communicate in English. (All classes will be conducted in English)

1. English
The emphasis of this part will be on communication and debating skills and the non-native English speaking participants will also be brought up to a functioning grammatical standard. During the year’s course the participants will need to learn how to deliver public speeches, give interviews, write business letters and set out project concepts/proposals.

Study contents
- Creative writing.
- Speech training and debate
- Training in interviews for different media.
- Making flyers and other informational leaflets.
- Training in application for funding
- Writing press releases.
- Setting out project concepts
- Create and implement school curricula.

2. Management and project planning
This part focuses on basic techniques in management and project planning.

Study contents
- Drawing up of business plans.
- Fundraising and public relations
- Bookkeeping and administration
- Conflict management etc.

3. Computer training
The participants will be trained in computing and if needed using special aids for the blind or visually impaired. These include speech synthesizers, Braille-displays, Braille printers etc.

Study contents
- Word, Excel.
- PowerPoint and similar media.
- Use of a sound studio
- Use of Internet, E-mail.
- Hardware and software, installation of networks and installation of Internet access.

4. Workshops
Workshops in the following areas will be offered:
- Stage training
- (if needed) Orientation and mobility.
- (if needed) Daily living skills.
- First Aid and introduction to tropical medicine.
- Survival skills (basic electrics, car mechanics, repair of special equipment for the
blind, bicycle repair etc.)
- Sports: Gymnastics, Yoga techniques, swimming, kayaking.

5. Apprentice ship
The curriculum is focused on implementing the newly gained knowledge and skills into practice. Part of the training for the participants will be:

- Placements of up to 6 weeks in Indian social development projects.
- Public speeches and presentations.
- Planning and realizing a local social project. (For example in the first year of training, a concept for a Kerala based preparatory school for blind children will be worked out and in the following years through further badges executed using the BWB projects in Tibet as models.)

PARTICIPANTS

BWB is looking for motivated, engaged and talented participants.
Participants will be expected to apply for a scholarship to BWB.
Braille Without Borders will provide full scholarships for the first two years.

Please apply for a full scholarship under: form

Contact details project Kerala:
Administrative director:
Ms. Tigi Philip       +91-9495151693
Office:                   +91-471-3205626
E-mail:                  BrailleWB@gmx.net