RJ , one of Sarah's special education teachers

Class in progress in new classroom

After mastering sign language, the students study reading, writing, math, history, science etc. up to high school level with special education teachers whom Sarah employs.

New classrom

This new classroom was constructed for the school by another donor. It is a model on which the boy's dormitiory will follow. Basic concrete block construction. With the old dormitory being totally unihabitable the classroom will serve as the boys shelter until construction is complete.

One kind soul

After hearing Sarah's plea, one kind soul has pledged funds to construct a new boys dormitory. One might think the rich would be the bigger donors but oddly enough in Sarah's experience it is the average people who make up the greater number of donors. You figure it out. It is all new to me this past year but what a learning experience it is becoming. This photo is of the foundation work being done by the students themselves ( under a builder's supervision ) with the old dormitory in the background. Expected completion time is 6 months due to the rainy season and finding additional funds to finish the job.

Boys lodging and cooking facilities

It is hard to believe but up to 90% of the rural deaf in the Philippines never learn to communicate with sign language. In these areas they are destined to a life of servitude, sexual and physical abuse. Some of the stories are horrid. Having the kind soul that Sarah has, she has dedicated her life to helping to improve the lives of such victims. She liasons with the local Dept. of Social Welfare and takes in the cases most in need but as I mentioned the need is so great that there is never enough space at her facility to accomodate more than 30 or so students, a drop in the bucket but with limited funds there is no choice. Sarah does wonders with the small funding that is donated to her cause. Here is an example: you may remember the boys dormitory a rundown bamboo shack with a kitchen that is quite hard to imagine having to live and cook in but live in and cook for themselves her boy charges did and with gratitude that someone was kind enough to provide them with a shelter and a bonus of studying how to communicate and basic education.

Remember Sarah and her fine work?

You may remember Sarah, She is the director of a small deaf boarding school. Her school is located 2 hours south of Puerto Princesa. It is entirely a non profit foundation that Sarah directs and is constantly in need of funding which sadly is constantly lacking. I support and donate what I can but it is never enough This photo is of Sarah and her husband and students while on their way to a massage training seminar.

Toilet training

We picked up a new toilet for the family. Their first. Now its up to Papa to set it up and build a shelter.
Better than going in the jungle and a lot better than my experience as a child in Northern Canada, having to make a midnight toilet run in minus 30 degrees. But at least there were no creepy crawlers waiting for you as there as there are here. You never know what jungle critter might care to join you.