I'm a 51 year old Irish Kiwi living in Australia! I spent 8 months as a volunteer in Viet Nam in 2006/2007. During my time there I fell in love - with the people, the food, the way of life - even the traffic in Sai Gon! While I was in Hoi An it became glaringly obvious that nothing was being done to assist the deaf children of this community. Here, it is firmly believed that a deaf child can only be taught by a "special teacher". Unfortunately there are none of these "special teachers" in Hoi An therefore these children are not taught! They don't go to school, they never learn to read & write, they are never taught sign language - can you imagine their existance??? I was obviously sent to Viet Nam for a reason & I think I have found that reason. I intend opening a very small school to teach a few of these children sign language in the hope that they will have some chance at a future. No, I cant sign - let alone sign in Vietnamese!!! My role will be to set up & fund the "school". I will rent a house for the school room & employee a Vietnamese deaf person (not a teacher) who can sign & take it from there. I am very excited about this project as I have already seen the rapid improvements in one child I was helping there - more on Rom later. I'm "going home" to Viet Nam January 2008 ..... watch this space.....

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