Category: Deaf

People and activities in the Cambodian deaf world

Learning New Signs

Our teachers in all our classroom were in Phnom Penh this past week for a week of teacher training, part of the long break the Education Project has every year at the time of the Khmer New Year. On this day the power was off so the teachers are outside but the lack of electricity didn’t matter too much because they were learning new Cambodian signs from one of our deaf sign language teachers.

More light…

After getting each of DDP’s projects assigned to an area of the new building, we have been focusing on getting the building renovated so that the projects can work better. Because electricity has been very expensive in Cambodia and people were used to living without it, there is little efficient wiring and lighting in Cambodian buildings. Especially at the new DDP, the building was really dark. Now our contractor is just about finished replacing all very small fluorescent lights with new and much brighter LED lighting fixtures.

Getting Ready

We’re still moving in at our new DDP office in Boeung Tum Pun. Everything–all the furniture, filing cabinets, desks and tables and chairs, etc.—has been moved from the old building, but we’re still adding more lights, unpacking boxes, and utilizing new spaces. Today the Year 2 students were cleaning up the new computer lab after workmen finishing installing the new lights and fans.

Having a Dream Center

Boy with cochlear implant (above his ear)

Korea Telecom sponsored a center for Cambodian deaf children to receive a medical device called a cochlear implant to help them hear some sounds by bypassing the part of their ear that does not work. Click here to see photos from the opening of the center.

Launch of ACCESS

This week saw the launch of the Australia Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable and Sustainable Services (ACCESS) to which the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme was invited.

Several officials spoke and there was a panel discussion on how this program can impact projects to address gender-based violence and the needs of people with disabilities.
DDP brought several of its staff to the event
and also provided the sign language interpreting (right).
Seven members of a dance troupe (many of them former DDP students) from Epic Arts offered a performance with performers both with and without disabilities.

ANM – 4

On this last day of the ANM, we had a blessing ceremony to pray in the Buddhist and Christian traditions for protection for the students and staff of DDP and for a good learning and working environment. Click here to see some photos from the blessing ceremonies.