Leyte and bohol

Now that the Typhoons have passed and the five teachers from Leyte were able to make it to Bohol, the Southern Leyte elementary Deaf sped program has started to become more of a reality for IDEA. The longer I live here the more I notice the small differences between the culture of Leyte and the culture here in Bohol.
One of my favorite things that the people in Tacloban did everyday, all day long was sing Videoke. This is a favorite past time for all Filipinos, I am told, however, it is not as prevalent on this island. As I keep in touch with my friends in Tacloban I remember how much it rained there. Not a day went by in the two months I was there that it did not rain. Here in Bohol the weather is absolutely amazing. Although it does rain, it is not everyday and not nearly as hard as I remember in Tacloban. I am able to choose from 3 malls and many many coffee shops with WiFi here. In Tacloban, there were no malls and only one small coffee shop that had an unpredictable internet connection. All the American foods I seem to crave are readily at my fingertips for double the price I would even be willing to pay in America. This has been one of the lessons in self-control. I have not bought the things I do not need and have not given into the cravings of buying a Snickers bar for $1.35. All of this to say, had I not been to other islands before Bohol, I would not have a reason to venture off this beautiful place. It has everything I could ever possibly need or even want, except my friends from the other islands. I continue to think about the Deaf in Leyte and how IDEA is taking a huge step by starting this Sped program in Ormoc, Southern Leyte.
Lee Duncan put together a 5 day intensive Filipino Sign Language (FSL) course for the 5 teachers in training who will be placed in Ormoc. I was able to assist with this, but secretly learned a lot as well. To start out the week we gave a pre-test to see where each of the students were at in their knowledge of FSL. Only one was able to understand basic questions and signs asked. Through out the week 4th year Deaf students from Bohol Deaf Academy(BDA) assisted in teaching the main components to signing correctly. The majority of the class time was spent signing. This was an effective way to challenge the trainees to struggle through the signs they knew and learn more at the same time. By the end of the 5 days each of the trainees were given a ‘performance’ exam all in sign language. Each one of them was able to show the alphabet, count to 1 million, answer basic questions, and understand the vocabulary shown to them.
Since passing the exam the 5 students were placed throughout the 4 elementary Deaf programs IDEA runs around the island of Bohol. This is a 4 month observation time for them to grasp more of the sign language and also gain ideas of lesson plans for when they will be teaching in Ormoc. Although it seems far way, September is going to be an exciting time for many people. These trainees will start a new career in Deaf education and many Deaf students from all around Southern Leyte will be given their first opportunity to learn a language as well as gain an education. It is important to understand that the average ages of the students starting at this school are 11 years old with no education and no formal language. The challenge is great but the reward is astounding for these children who before this time had no hope.
In my short time here looking at the big project in Leyte I am overwhelmed. Then I am able to spend time here at BDA with students who are very intelligent and have great futures and such big dreams. Had IDEA not began; these same students would not have even gained a language. I can see the promises that are waiting for the Deaf in Leyte right in my back yard here at BDA in Bohol. Nothing, NOTHING is impossible or too complicated.