Boxing Day 2011

As most people in the West enjoy the Boxing Day Sales & (in Australia) the Boxing Day Test I am sitting in my "office" (aka my Lounge) listening to the children upstairs going through their lessons. Who would have thought that Hearing Impaired children could be so noisy! After a few initial teething problems Paddy's Jewel classes are well under way. Many of the parents were reluctant to take their children out of the Boarding School - mainly because they were concerned that we will be a "fly by night" organisation (here one day, gone the next) & their children will be left with no education. I'm pleased to say the parents, & more importantly the children, are now very settled & happy. This is due largely to our fantastic teacher Xuân Thông Phan (pictured below with the children). Thông has shown me that teaching methods in Việt Nam ARE changing for the better. He is a very progressive young teacher who shows great promise.

The teenage girl on the Right of the photo is Nguyễn Thị Lành. Lành, ( also Hearing Impaired). Like the majority of Hearing Impaired children in Việt Nam she has never been to school. Until 2 weeks ago Lành was working 7 days a week, for up to 12 hours a day, making lanterns for the tourists - earning AUS$42.00 a month. Although Paddy's Jewel can only afford to pay her AUS$46.00 a month her working conditions have greatly improved. Lành now works 5 days a week from 7.30am - 4.30pm. During that time she shops for food at the local market, cooks lunch for the children & washes up after lunch. For the remainder of the day she is free to join in the classes with the other children. This child is such a quick learner - if someone had been able to help her when she was the age of the other children in Paddy's Jewel I have no doubt she would now be at University. For the first time in her life Lành is enjoying learning - but not only learning. She is enjoying communicating & socialising with others. Life has changed for one child in Hội An.

The children, staff & volunteers of Paddy's Jewel wish you all a belated Merry Christmas. With Best Wishes, Mái.