International links
Our partnership with the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf
The Holy Land Institute for the Deaf (HLID) was established in 1964 as a small school for deaf children. Over the past 25 years it has grown from strength to strength, meeting the needs of ever more children in Jordan and the Middle East. The school currently has approximately 145 students aged 4 to 20 years old. Without it, the majority of the deaf students it serves would not have access to education, a basic human right.
The links between UCST/ULT and HLID go back ten years. Sir Ewan Harper, our former Chief Executive, visited the Institute as a member of the Jerusalem 2000 Campaign, part of a worldwide effort launched by our Chairman, Lord Carey, then Archbishop of Canterbury. The HLID subsequently received a grant from the Jerusalem 2000 Fund.
In 2006, Lord Carey and Sir Ewan led a pilgrimage composed of pupils and teachers from both our UCST schools and ULT academies, and Board members. The group went to HLID and this was by all accounts a truly inspiring visit, where the group experienced first hand their pioneering work in deaf education. Amongst other wonderful sights, the group also visited Bethany, where John the Baptist lived, and the beautiful city of Petra. They joined with Christians from all denominations as they celebrated Palm Sunday with a walk from Bethphage to the Mount of Olives. They also celebrated Holy Communion at the top of Mount Nebo, where Moses first viewed the Promised Land.
The pilgrimage set in motion UCST efforts to raise funds for HLID’s Salt Training and Resource Institute for Disability, Etc. (STRIDE). The Institute provides teacher training in the poorer countries of the Middle East, and is, therefore, a crucial element of their work. Some 150-200 trainees attend STRIDE programmes annually. Courses have been held in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt and the West Bank . Sunderland High School’s students raised £1500 in aid of this valuable cause. During our 125th anniversary celebrations, held at Canterbury and Lincoln Cathedrals, UCST and ULT teachers, students, parents and friends raised over £20,000.
The recent years have strengthened our link with the HLID. In 2009, Brother Andrew de Carpentier, Director of the Institute, visited our Paddington Academy, where he had a very stimulating discussion with the Sixth Form students on the current tensions between religions that are ultimately descended from common values, morals and principles.
The partnership between UCST/ULT and HLID has so much potential and provides such varied opportunities, for the teachers and students in both institutions. Looking to the future, we hope to continue to harness this potential in as many ways as possible – we will keep you posted!
