Wednesday–21 March

Today we had the report from the Deaf Community Center in the morning and then in the afternoon we visited Seedling, another Maryknoll Cambodia program, and then later we met with Sr. Regina Pellicore.

The main agenda for the morning was a report by and discussion with the Deaf Community Center staff about their work in Phnom Penh and Kampong Cham Province.
(L-R): Prak Soeun, Charlie Dittmeier, Solydem, Johanna Karinen, and Lika. Solydem and Lika are the two managers Johanna works with directly.
As we were going to lunch, we passed a sign language class being taught by Sreytin (standing) for new DDP staff.
The Maryknoll Seedling AIDS project will close in December and the plan is for the Deaf Development Programme to take over their building and grounds. Today we showed Johanna around inside and outside the building.
One of the attractions of the building is a large open area on an adjoining lot that is connected to the main house grounds. Here Johanna Karinen, Russ Brine, and Prak Soeun consider the possibilities of the site.
(L-R): Charlie Dittmeier, Sr. Regina Pellicore, Johanna Karinen, Sami Scott, and Russ Brine. Sixteen years ago when Johanna first worked with DDP she met Regina who has just returned from a treasurer’s job in the United States. Today they had a chance to renew their friendship.