Teaching Deaf Mexican Children
Donation protected
Thank You!
tldr: Support us in our efforts to educate Deaf Mexican children who have no other means or access to proper schooling available to them.
For those of you who don't know us, we're the Thompsons! (Johnny, Amber, JJ, and Evalynn, more specifically) and we are currently living and working in the beautiful Valle de Guadalupe, B.C. Mexico.
Why/What are we doing in Mexico you ask?
We are volunteering (as missionaries) at Rancho Sordo Mudo, a non-profit organization, that focuses its' efforts on educating and caring for deaf children. Here in Mexico, there are not a lot of resources (especially affordable ones) for special needs children to receive an education. Rancho Sordo Mudo was established to address the need for children with hearing disabilities to have access to education in an environment that promotes learning and is better equipped to meet their specific needs.
I am the Principal, one of the teachers, and a dad. Amber has taken time off from teaching to care for our new baby girl, Evalynn, and the little boy we are in the process of adopting, J.J. Our duties include cooking meals, teaching classes, cleaning cuts, organizing activities, raising animals, hosting dance parties, and planning sermons. It is a 24/7 full time operation, as the children live at the Ranch during the school year. (September-May)
Wait, what do you mean, "you're missionaries"? What is a missionary?
Well the technical definition of a missionary is "one sent on a mission to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country.
In short, Amber and I have chosen to work with the deaf community in Mexico to offer education through a variety of tools including religious studies, language, social interaction, and other core basics students typically learn in school, that they would not otherwise have access to if ourselves and other staff members were not involved.
Missionary work is not a salary earning job. We do not receive any money for our contributions here at the Ranch but we do have to contribute a monthly rent to cover our room and board.
This is why we need your help!
In order to continue our work in Mexico as missionaries addressing the educational need in the deaf community, we rely on donations and sponsors from friends, family, church members, anyone and everyone who can help us continue our work!
Another Special Part of Our Story
4 year old JJ came to the Ranch and into our hearts 1 1/2 years ago. During the summer (when the Ranch is on hiatus) he was sent to a local orphanage as we did not have legal guardianship (we do now). We went to the orphanage to teach the staff some sign language in order to communicate with JJ. Unfortunately it was promptly forgotten. The orphanage had some paper bees hanging from the ceiling one day and JJ had learned the sign for "bee" so he started signing it to the staff. They didn't understand what he was saying so he continued to sign "bee" over and over in an attempt to communicate with them. The staff at the orphanage felt he was being unruly and strapped him in a highchair and left him there for hours. This form of dealing with him was used quite often. JJ was scared, angry and frustrated. Unfortunately, we had no idea.
Now that we have legal guardianship of him, we will ensure this does not happen again. The next step for us is to surge forward with finalizing the adoption of J.J. and getting him some much needed therapy for his R.A.D. (Reactive Attention Disorder) behavior. The adoption process is not only costly, but a lengthy one. No matter what, we are in it for the long haul and hope we can raise the funds to stay in Mexico not only for our missionary work, but for J.J. as well.
A little bit about us:
Amber and I met in 2004 in the most auspicious of places: Acting class, where we quickly became fast friends. She was the cute blonde that I invited to be a part of my scene on the first day (best move ever!). Three short years later we were married and have been loving every moment of marriage.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
From the bottom of our hearts, we can't say thank you enough to everyone who continues to believe in our work and helps to support us daily, monthly, yearly. Without you, our efforts here in Mexico would not be possible! Thank you!
More Info
If you'd like to learn more about us, ask questions, drop us a line, introduce yourself, please check out our BLOG!
We'd love to hear from you!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"
Matthew 5:16
tldr: Support us in our efforts to educate Deaf Mexican children who have no other means or access to proper schooling available to them.
For those of you who don't know us, we're the Thompsons! (Johnny, Amber, JJ, and Evalynn, more specifically) and we are currently living and working in the beautiful Valle de Guadalupe, B.C. Mexico.
Why/What are we doing in Mexico you ask?
We are volunteering (as missionaries) at Rancho Sordo Mudo, a non-profit organization, that focuses its' efforts on educating and caring for deaf children. Here in Mexico, there are not a lot of resources (especially affordable ones) for special needs children to receive an education. Rancho Sordo Mudo was established to address the need for children with hearing disabilities to have access to education in an environment that promotes learning and is better equipped to meet their specific needs.
I am the Principal, one of the teachers, and a dad. Amber has taken time off from teaching to care for our new baby girl, Evalynn, and the little boy we are in the process of adopting, J.J. Our duties include cooking meals, teaching classes, cleaning cuts, organizing activities, raising animals, hosting dance parties, and planning sermons. It is a 24/7 full time operation, as the children live at the Ranch during the school year. (September-May)
Wait, what do you mean, "you're missionaries"? What is a missionary?
Well the technical definition of a missionary is "one sent on a mission to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country.
In short, Amber and I have chosen to work with the deaf community in Mexico to offer education through a variety of tools including religious studies, language, social interaction, and other core basics students typically learn in school, that they would not otherwise have access to if ourselves and other staff members were not involved.
Missionary work is not a salary earning job. We do not receive any money for our contributions here at the Ranch but we do have to contribute a monthly rent to cover our room and board.
This is why we need your help!
In order to continue our work in Mexico as missionaries addressing the educational need in the deaf community, we rely on donations and sponsors from friends, family, church members, anyone and everyone who can help us continue our work!
Another Special Part of Our Story
4 year old JJ came to the Ranch and into our hearts 1 1/2 years ago. During the summer (when the Ranch is on hiatus) he was sent to a local orphanage as we did not have legal guardianship (we do now). We went to the orphanage to teach the staff some sign language in order to communicate with JJ. Unfortunately it was promptly forgotten. The orphanage had some paper bees hanging from the ceiling one day and JJ had learned the sign for "bee" so he started signing it to the staff. They didn't understand what he was saying so he continued to sign "bee" over and over in an attempt to communicate with them. The staff at the orphanage felt he was being unruly and strapped him in a highchair and left him there for hours. This form of dealing with him was used quite often. JJ was scared, angry and frustrated. Unfortunately, we had no idea.
Now that we have legal guardianship of him, we will ensure this does not happen again. The next step for us is to surge forward with finalizing the adoption of J.J. and getting him some much needed therapy for his R.A.D. (Reactive Attention Disorder) behavior. The adoption process is not only costly, but a lengthy one. No matter what, we are in it for the long haul and hope we can raise the funds to stay in Mexico not only for our missionary work, but for J.J. as well.
A little bit about us:
Amber and I met in 2004 in the most auspicious of places: Acting class, where we quickly became fast friends. She was the cute blonde that I invited to be a part of my scene on the first day (best move ever!). Three short years later we were married and have been loving every moment of marriage.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
From the bottom of our hearts, we can't say thank you enough to everyone who continues to believe in our work and helps to support us daily, monthly, yearly. Without you, our efforts here in Mexico would not be possible! Thank you!
More Info
If you'd like to learn more about us, ask questions, drop us a line, introduce yourself, please check out our BLOG!
We'd love to hear from you!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"
Matthew 5:16
Organizer
Johnny Thompson
Organizer
Tecate, CA
