Cảm ơn bạn với tình yêu - Thank you with love

First of all, I want to give a huge thank you and hugs and love for the toys and materials, and hearing aids donated. Specific pictures coming soon!  It is difficult to put into words how grateful I am, along with the teachers, children, and GFCHL team for your efforts and generosity.

We are half way through week one of the summer training program. It's 7:10 p.m. Wednesday July 3 - our team is winding down from an incredibly busy and eventful day.

And my friends and family in the USA are just starting their Wednesday. Sometimes I forget that my family is 12 hours. .....and today my husband bore the brunt of that forgetfulness. My text went through to him at 3a.m.! ooooops!

My group of 8 VN teachers from around the country are quickly bonding.  They have a true spirit of collaboration not competition. Here is a great example of their humility and service:

After each therapy session, there is allotted time for feedback to the teachers. The teachers want 'public' feedback! They do not want private consultations about what went well and what needs improvement! They want everyone to learn from their sessions - whether stellar or "needs a TON of improvement!"
Their focus is on the greater good for these children with deafness and hearing loss. There is a humble spirit of love and service in their hearts.

What a difference from the USA! Imagine having your boss share mistakes in front of your peers!

We don't want others to know about our mistakes or 'needs improvement' areas. What if we received feedback on some "needs improvement" areas in front of our peers? What if we heard feedback on others? How much could we learn by sharing our mistakes and hearing the mistakes of others?

Here are highlights from the first 3 days:
* Two VN children in our group with cochlear implants!!! One had bilateral implants. Four years ago many of the children in the program didn't even have hearing aids.
* Working with children I saw last year and seeing their incredible progress
* Lunch and nap time are fairly sacred in VN. One team in my group, worked through lunch on their goals and lesson plans for their assigned children
* Laughing at the differences in vowels in VN and English leading to misunderstanding - i.e. the word ball by the translator sounded like bowl - leading to a very confused Kathryn Wilson thinking the child would be throwing bowls!
* Helping my translators with their English
* The laughter among the teachers about their mistakes in therapy!
* Seeing the teachers progress in their teaching behaviors, assessments, and knowledge - and applying it!
* Having my laundry washed and folded by the time I returned the Din Ky hotel this evening!
* Some interesting variations on food prepared by sweet cook at the school (i.e., what looked to be boiled calamari, bamboo soup, salted duck eggs)
* The Din Ky hotel's standard fare for the GFCHL team is french fries and a beer after some long days. (one food I do recognize is french fries!)
* Being met at the Din Ky hotel in torrential rains by staff with umbrellas and assistance.
* Being amazed daily at what difference can be made in the world by working together.