Category: Deaf

People and activities in the Cambodian deaf world

Deaf Youth Camp #2

Friday started off early in Phnom Penh.  Then after a long bus ride to Siem Reap, the group had lunch and jumped into their camp program.  Metta Karuna is a reflection center run by the Jesuits, close to town but away from the noise and hustle of the tourists.  Click here to see pictures from the first day.

Phnom Penh Graduation

Today we had the third and last of our Education Project graduations, this time at our main office in Phnom Penh.  Actually this event centered more on the new incoming class of students who just started their education this week.

The deaf students watch the sign language interpreter. The hearing staff watch the speaker on the other side of the room.
Keat Sokly, the DDP director, gives some opening remarks.
Some of the new students enjoying refreshments after the ceremony.
A large number of the hearing and deaf staff who work at the Phnom Penh DDP office.

Kampong Cham Graduation

On Monday this week we went to Kampot Province for the graduation of our DDP students there.  On Wednesday we attended a similar graduation in Kampong Cham Province.

Kampong Cham students playing a game before the ceremony started.
Inside, other students were practicing the national anthem in sign language for the opening of the ceremony.
Students taking photos with proud parents.
A group photo of all the graduating Kampong Cham students.
Finally a photo of the graduates with their parents and with the incoming new students.

Kampot Graduation

Today we had a graduation ceremony for the students who finished our two-year non-formal education program in Kampot Province.  Quite a few staff from the DDP office in Phnom Penh were there for the occasion.

One of the deaf students receiving her certificate from Charlie Dittmeier.
An official from the Provincial Ministry of Education gave a talk.
A picture of all the students and their teachers.
After the ceremony, we went to our hostel, DDP House, for lunch together.

Sunday at DCC

dcc-1

One of the worst aspects of deafness is isolation, not being part of all that is going on around you, even in your own family.  That creates great interest among deaf people for getting together whenever they can.  The Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme has a Deaf Community Center (DCC) in Phnom Penh and in Kampot and Kampong Cham Provinces and they are open on Saturday and Sunday for deaf people to drop in and play games or participate in various activities.  This group is playing dominoes.

 

dcc-2

Inside the center this group is playing Uno.

Certificate Ceremony

Vannarith at First StepVarrarith at First Step

Tay Vannarith (middle) is the social worker at the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme.  Since March he has been participating in a training program about the sexual abuse of boys.  Here he receives a certificate in a ceremony marking the end of the ten months of training.