A DETERMINED deaf teenager is doing his bit to help renovate schools in Asia.

Born to deaf parents, Jasper Fitzgerald-Woolfe will travel to Nepal and Sri Lanka in a bid to improve access to education for other deaf students.

The 15-year-old, from Wanborough, said: “I wanted an adventure and an opportunity to give something back before I continue with my education.

“So, after doing some research I picked a charity to volunteer with.

“I chose VoluntEars as they are a charity who support deaf people and deaf schools – which gives deal children access to a better standard of education and hopefully results in employment and a better quality of life.”

Jasper will spend two weeks in Nepal and another two in Sri Lanka.

The trip is scheduled for July but may be postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.

He added: “It’s important to me to be able to support the deaf community in Nepal because I believe in equality and the children there are disadvantaged.

“I am lucky here in the UK to have access to education and I want to make sure others have the same opportunities as I do.”

VoluntEars arranges trips to developing countries, offering a mix of practical renovation work and activities with the local community.

Jasper, who attends Mary Hare School in Newbury and plans to go to UTC, will spend two weeks in Nepal and another two in Sri Lanka.

He added: “Whilst I’m in each country, I’ll be at a school supporting the children and I’ll help with renovating it. I hope the work I do will help schools, the children and ultimately mean that they have a better quality of life.”

Jasper has set up a JustGiving page to cover the cost of his trip, which includes flights, visa and insurance.

To reach his target of £3,500, he will be running some errands for people.

He added: “Any money raised above my target will go directly to the charity and deaf schools as we need more materials and education tools for them.”

His father Ramon said: “As a father of four deaf children who are the eighth generation in our large family, I am immensely proud of the initiative that Jasper is undertaking.

“I am globetrotter and believe that my sign languages and international sign skills has taken me over the world embracing the culture shared by other people who are immersed in the world of sign language.”

To support Jasper visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jaspervoluntears?utm_term=QGBGmxxEY