Starting again

Yesterday the Education Project of the Deaf Development Programme resumed its classroom teaching after the most recent suspension for a month or two.
The power went off for quite an extended period today so we moved the students outside to a porch where they were working on an illustrated version of the classroom rules they have been discussing as part of the restart.

More Goodbyes

Today at DDP we said goodbye to two of our staff, our social worker (left) and one of our houseparents. It is difficult to see good staff move on. And it is difficult to replace them!

DDP Staff Meeting #5

Today was the travel day back to Phnom Penh. It was another long trip, nine hours to do 180 miles, but that’s Cambodia. No one seemed to mind too much because it was the end of a really enjoyable trip. Click here for some photos from the return trip.

DDP Staff Meeting #1

Interpreting on the bus

Every year the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme has a general staff meeting to bring all the staff together for two or three days. We work in different provinces and some of the staff do not get to know each other and see each other except at this annual meeting. This year we are meeting in Koh Kong in southern Cambodia, and because it is so far away, we allowed a day to travel, then two days of gatherings, and then a day to return. Click here to see pictures from this day, the travel day.

Farewell to Lika

Today DDP had a little gathering to say goodbye to Bolika, our Deaf Community Center coordinator who is leaving the Deaf Development Programme after fourteen years. She started as a teacher in Kampong Chhnang Province and has kept adapting and using her skills in various positions. She is an extremely competent staff and we are going to miss her.

Lika (2L) chatting with three of the deaf staff and Julie Lawler (2R) as Julie shows in sign language where she is from in the United States.
The deaf and hearing Phnom Penh staff and a couple of our students listen as Lika speaks about her long time at DDP.

Changes

With the new distancing regulations for classrooms because of COVID-19, we needed a larger classroom and decided to trade this meeting room for the old smaller classroom. As part of the trade, we had to put an outside door in the new classroom and also an awning to create a sheltered space outside
Inside the biggest change was removing a bathroom in the back corner to give more space.