Framy

You may remember a while back, talking about a teenage boy named Framy. He was having problems with his one good eye. Now, he is legally blind. Apparently his retina slowly detached over a period of time, but none of the eye doctors he went to recognized or dealt with it, even though they did give him cataract surgery. [Because I was out of the country for this post, I depended on reports from the DR, rather than giving you first-hand info. As time passed and I was given more accurate info, I updated it here in brackets.]

Going blind is one of the greatest fears of a deaf person. Framy is having a hard time adjusting. He refuses to use a cane, although he really needs to have mobility training. He is way ahead communication-wise,  of the kids in the deaf-blind classes across town, and the teacher there says he is better off in the deaf school because of that. 

Please pray for Framy. He is going through a very difficult adjustment. Pray that he will put all his hope in the Lord, and that he can learn to live as independently as possible, and maintain relationships with the other deaf. Deaf-blindness is very isolating.

The other kids can communicate with him with hand on hand sign language. It will take him a while to become as fluent in that as he has been in regular sign. [This was inaccurately reported. New info on this is that he is able to use the tunnel vision he has still to understand visually.]

The deaf-blind class across town is sending over someone later this week to give his teacher and classmates orientation on how best to work with Framy in class.  The school does not have the advantage of the technology that deaf-blind people use in the US. Most likely, his classmates will be watching their teacher and taking turns interpreting to Framy what they are seeing. [This really depends on how constricted his tunnel vision is, which is unclear at this time. The more limited it is, the more likely that he will not be able to understand the teacher.]

Burglars

The police recently released several local thieves, and now they are trying to get into the school. Although the Secretary of Education should have a night watchman posted at the school, they no longer have one. As a result, there have been several attempts recently to break in.

This brings the director to some difficult decisions. We have recently installed an backup system that allows the school to have lights when the city electricity is off--which is most/all of the school day. This would be one of the prime targets for the burglars. Should she take them all out for safekeeping? Then there would be no electricity once again. Should she leave them in? Then they will most likely get stolen, and once again there will be no electricity. There are no funds to hire a night watchman privately. Then there are the other supplies used in running a school that will also be attractive to burglars.

Please pray that the Lord will provide a resolution to this problem, so that it will not be a constant burden on the school.

Vision Trust medical team

This past week the school welcomed a medical team from Vision Trust. The children received checkups, and were given toothbrushes and toothpaste.

But the team didn't stop there.  They presented Bible stories for the children as well, and spent some time playing with and getting to know them.  The kids were thrilled, of course.

We thank the Lord for this team, and their work with us here in Santo Domingo.

Team members

New toothbrushes for all!

Thanks

The principal ("director")  was invited to speak to the mayor and city council among other government officials about the educational needs of the deaf. She feels that the meeting was productive and a sign that the government is taking more interest.

The new children were recently evaluated as to progress, and the teachers are pleased to report that they have surpassed expectations. Their sign language is steadily improving, and that is the basis for everything they learn.

From the school a big thank you to all who have supported us thus far with your prayers and with your offerings. Vision Trust has been an incredible help, and we thank also Calvary Deaf Church in Riverside for their help. The groups from Florida and Rochester are others who have consistently prayed and been available to help on site at summer camps and other times. From time to time we have had individuals and small groups come to work directly among us at the school, giving up personal vacation time and money in order to support us. There is a prayer warrior in VA who always holds us up before the throne of God. I don't like to name names on the internet, just know that every one of you is appreciated.  There is a saying often heard in Dominican Spanish "¡Dios se lo repaga! ---"May God repay you. And we know he will.

But don't give up now!  We've only just begun, stand beside us as we continue to fight the good fight. Continue to keep the school in your prayers, that the children will progress, and that they will grow mighty in the Lord.

Blessings!

Twins!

Today deaf twins, Diomery y Diomary, came for the first time in their lives to school. They are nine years old. Their teacher, Yoselín, knows just what to do. She is experienced. Only one of the 8, 9, and 10 year olds in her class has ever been to school before, and he is autistic. The rest are all in their first year, learning to sign, learning their names, and all the basics of kindergarten.

The second picture is from this week.  (Excuse the wrong date; they have a hard time resetting it each time they put in batteries!)

Blessings!

Día de la Raza--Columbus Day

Día de la Raza in the Dominican Republic is a celebration of ancestry. It is a time that Dominicans remember their roots. They remember Christopher Columbus who was the governor of the island at one time, and the natives that were on the island, as well as their own Hispanic heritage.

Yesterday the kids enjoyed celebrating their history. It is always fun to dress up!

Still coming in...

Every week that has passed has seen new children signing up for school. We rejoice in this, that they will have the opportunity to come, but at the same time, we recognize that this puts added work for the teachers, whose classes are already at capacity.

The issue of teachers is always a difficult one. The fact is, trained teachers of the deaf are not usually available to hire. It's easy to find someone with a teaching license, but s/he will not know Sign Language.

Every deaf child needs an education. Without it, in most cases, the child will not ever be fluent in any language. Imagine living without anything but a limited system of home-invented signs.

It's very important that deaf children not be turned away. On the other hand, if you put too many deaf children in a classroom, you end up with a day-care center rather than a school. It's very difficult to explain this to people who are used to working with hearing children in packed classrooms.

The greatest need continues to be educators of the deaf, and we continue to ask for your prayers and if you are a teacher of the deaf, your participation if you are able to come.