Cambodian Sign Language School
Donation protected
Navi has been a part of my life since 2012 when I met her at a little school in rural Cambodia. It broke my heart to find out that she wasn't a student there, but rather effectively the slave of the village because is deaf. Neither of her parents wanted the burden of raising a deaf child and abandoned her. Now at the age of 18, she has not been to school or learned sign language. Rather, she just labours all day, every day in the fields of her village. She deserves more. Recently a dear friend of mine was able to have her brother teach Navi some signs and in doing so, Navi was able to communicate that she hates working in the fields and wants to learn and do something with her life.
So I have a plan:
Step 1
I am going to open a small sign language school in Kampong Thmor, a small town near Navi’s village in a 1 room building that I either rent or build. Initial investigations suggest there may be up to 20 or more people locally who would benefit from learning sign. My friend’s brother will be the sign teacher.
Step 2
When Navi turns 18 shortly she will have some legal right to make her own decisions. However, I need her to have enough sign to be able to make her thoughts clear. So, the sign teacher will spend time with her and teach her some sign if her village initially refuse to allow her to attend the school. Once she is able to make her own intentions clear, I will cover the costs of a labourer to replace Navi’s labour in the village and Navi’s journey will begin.
Step 3
Once there are students who know sufficient sign to be able to move forward, services will be added to the school one at a time. For example, maths, literacy, soft skills with the ultimate goal to have any younger students attend a mainstream school with a sign interpreter and for older students to have access to vocational training in-house or with other (limited) service providers available elsewhere in Cambodia.
Any help big or small that you could offer will help Navi (and others in her area) have the kind of life she deserves. Because she's worth it.
So I have a plan:
Step 1
I am going to open a small sign language school in Kampong Thmor, a small town near Navi’s village in a 1 room building that I either rent or build. Initial investigations suggest there may be up to 20 or more people locally who would benefit from learning sign. My friend’s brother will be the sign teacher.
Step 2
When Navi turns 18 shortly she will have some legal right to make her own decisions. However, I need her to have enough sign to be able to make her thoughts clear. So, the sign teacher will spend time with her and teach her some sign if her village initially refuse to allow her to attend the school. Once she is able to make her own intentions clear, I will cover the costs of a labourer to replace Navi’s labour in the village and Navi’s journey will begin.
Step 3
Once there are students who know sufficient sign to be able to move forward, services will be added to the school one at a time. For example, maths, literacy, soft skills with the ultimate goal to have any younger students attend a mainstream school with a sign interpreter and for older students to have access to vocational training in-house or with other (limited) service providers available elsewhere in Cambodia.
Any help big or small that you could offer will help Navi (and others in her area) have the kind of life she deserves. Because she's worth it.
Organizer
Gwen Espie
Organizer
Blackstone Heights TAS
