Deaf School
July, 2003
| The Maryknoll Deaf Development Program teaches sign language and literacy to deaf people in Phnom Penh and four provinces. The program in Kampong Speu Province is a class of just deaf students, located in the provincial office of the National Center for Disabled Persons. |
 There are two teachers--one deaf and one hearing--who work together in each of the provinces. On this day only five of the students were present because the National Center for Disabled Persons pays transportation on a motorcycle for the other students who live farther away, but NCDP only pays three days a week and this wasn't one of the days. The amount for the motorcycle would only be a few cents but the families of the students don't have it so the kids don't come to school. |
 A teacher and student at the board. The "classroom" at NCDP is just a large open area on their first floor and it doesn't have any desks, but it has been one of the nicer venues we have in the province settings. We may have to find another classroom, though, because NCPD is expanding their program and may need the part of the building we use. |
 On registration day, more than thirty deaf children came with their parents to register so it was disheartening on this visit to find that only five had come because of the lack of money. That is a typical problem in Cambodia, in all sorts of programs, and one we'll have to look at seriously. |