It's hard to believe we are already 3/4 of the way through March. We have had several changes since our last Blog.
A very stressful time was had by all as our teacher decided that teaching was not the career he wanted. It was a particularly stressful time for me as I was worried we would have to close the classroom so soon after we opened. After many sleepless nights a solution was found. We have a new teacher - although she is not a qualified teacher. Pham Thi Kim Vui has a university degree and is proving to be one of the best teachers I have seen. She has a natural teaching ability and is loved by the children. We hope that Vui will spend many long and happy years with us.
A very stressful time was had by all as our teacher decided that teaching was not the career he wanted. It was a particularly stressful time for me as I was worried we would have to close the classroom so soon after we opened. After many sleepless nights a solution was found. We have a new teacher - although she is not a qualified teacher. Pham Thi Kim Vui has a university degree and is proving to be one of the best teachers I have seen. She has a natural teaching ability and is loved by the children. We hope that Vui will spend many long and happy years with us.
Our teacher Vui
The house we rent for the classroom is proving to be too small, too hot and too dangerous – electrically. Thanks to local friends we have found a bigger house. Unfortunately, I cannot be seen anywhere near the house until the contract has been signed – the rent will double if a Westerner is involved! We had to have many discussions with our current landlord for him to agree that we could leave the house 6 months earlier than the contract states. Very sincere thanks to the friends & family involved who have lent me the money to pay six months’ rent in advance.
We are currently turning away, on average, one child a week. Word is spreading in the community that there is a school for deaf children in Hoi An. Unfortunately, we are unable to take on more children until we can afford (and find) a second teacher.
We have received word from the Vietnamese parishioners of Bellingham (USA) that they will make a donation to Paddy’s Jewel. From April until November they have elected to donate a percentage of their collections from one Mass a month. Our very grateful thanks to these parishioners for their generosity – even though they are no longer living in Viet Nam they continue to help children from their home country.
This month we purchased a new hearing aid for one of our children. Trinh's hearing aid was already broken when we started our classroom in December 2011. We were able to fit her with a second hand hearing aid that was kindly donated to us by Scott Panter of Bay Audiology on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand. Last week this hearing aid was also broken - I have no idea what this child does with her hearing aids! Unfortunately here in Viet Nam they won't repair hearing aids that you haven't bought from them! We decided it was time for Trinh to have a new hearing aid. After a trip to Da Nang Trinh now has a new hearing aid ..... that she tells is is very loud!
This month we purchased a new hearing aid for one of our children. Trinh's hearing aid was already broken when we started our classroom in December 2011. We were able to fit her with a second hand hearing aid that was kindly donated to us by Scott Panter of Bay Audiology on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand. Last week this hearing aid was also broken - I have no idea what this child does with her hearing aids! Unfortunately here in Viet Nam they won't repair hearing aids that you haven't bought from them! We decided it was time for Trinh to have a new hearing aid. After a trip to Da Nang Trinh now has a new hearing aid ..... that she tells is is very loud!
Trinh in class
At the beginning of April we will welcome one of our namesakes to Hoi An. My Father, Paddy McCann, arrives from New Zealand on April 3rd. We are all very excited about his visit and I am looking forward to introducing him to his latest "Jewels". Watch for an update on his visit next month. Best Wishes, Mai.
