Special Needs Education Volunteer Projects

As a special needs education volunteer you will work with trained local staff who are supporting a range of children and adults who have cerebral palsy, down syndrome, physical disabilities or who are deaf.  You will help to run activities, assist with dressing and mealtimes and participate in fun activities such as music and art sessions. Certain special needs education projects also focus on physical development and if you have skills in this area you may be asked to help out.  Some projects are short of resources so be prepared to improvise.

In many societies, anyone who needs additional support has difficulty finding it and these special needs education projects have been set up by local NGOs and the government to support those who need it the most.  Children and adults need help with learning how to perform day to day tasks as well as with traditional education and incorporating their therapies into their daily lives. Some of the special needs education projects run activities focused on arts, music and dance to bring joy and fun into their lives.  There is often a lack of experienced professionals so if you have skills to share you will be accepted with open arms.

Many of our community placements will accept volunteers wanting to work with people with special needs.  Please ask a Kaya Advisor if you have specific skills to share or an area you wish to visit, as we are often able to match your skills and interests with our project needs.  We also work with other projects that aren’t advertised.  Specific special needs education projects that are seeking those with an interest in volunteering include our community placement in Vietnam, our teaching placement in Goa and our integrated therapy placement in Ecuador.

All volunteers are welcome as long as you come with an open heart and mind and are willing to help out where needed.   You will very much follow the needs of the special needs education projects and participants at the time of your placement so come full of energy, as you will be kept busy!   As with all our projects working with vulnerable people you will be required to provide a police record check.  If you have experience working with people with learning and social difficulties, physical disabilities or those who are deaf or blind then you are sure to be an asset to a special needs education project.

Join us at Kaya and make a difference by sharing your time, efforts and compassion with those who lack support from mainstream society and who perhaps need it the most.