Hello and Farewell to Cao Bang

Our few weeks in Cao Bang were sweet. The students we got to work with were very eager to interact and welcoming of us. The opening and closing of the class consisted of some very dramatic ceremonial gatherings that included dancing routines from the students and government officials attending and some even speaking. Scott also presented.

I think this was the best group of students we had this summer. They were all very friendly and smart. I loved that they were all so patient with us and willing to teach us Vietnamese Sign Language (VSL) and allow us into their lives. It was nice to spend so much time with them everyday and have conversations with them about things that were important to them. I wonder if I'll ever have the opportunity to see them again. It was sad to say our goodbyes. I wondered how they really felt about us coming into their lives for a few weeks then leaving them. Some of the students were very open to say that they were sad, wished we could stay, wished they could join us, and would remember us forever. More than that, I wonder how we truly affected their lives, if we shaped any of them a little in such a way that their futures will be different, hopefully better, because of it.

We did manage to get all the students a visit to the library and library cards. I hope they are able to go and check out books. It would be awesome if they could have the time to do that. I'm glad that they all have each other. That is one thing I noticed about this group- they are a family. They take care of each other even though they are teenagers and they may have their differences and small fights- they love each other. I was happy to see that and know that they have community. I hope that the stronger ones survive enough to keep the others afloat in whatever they do.

It was really an awesome experience to work with them- Ly, Lan, Vy, Nam, Thao, Bich, Hue, Huoung, Tran, Trang, Bao, Tam, Van, Hue, Duyen, Nuong, Nhuan, Thuong, Dung, Hao, Luan, Thanh, Tuyen, Thao, Huyen, Tham, Uyen, and Xoan, the Cao Bang bunch! They are only allowed to be in the education system until age 12 and then they are on their own. Only 8 of them are still in school regularly and the rest are taught on the side by 2 teachers who visit them in the evenings. I'm not sure how permanent that is but at least it is something for now. I wish them all the best and I hope I will meet up with them again in the future and find that they are doing well :o)

The beginning of classes- opening ceremony to celebrate international signing class

A dance by Thao, Tuyen, Duyen, Tam, Uyen, and Huyen.

At the factory- working in between class. Trang and Thao are slowing buttons on the uniforms here.

The first day of class.


Learning English and Vietnamese alphabet in ASL and VSL on the first day.

Some of the younger students who joined in later. We were practicing feelings.

Our bus trip to the library after class. They kept the library opened late for us to visit.

On the last day- some of the students came in the traditional clothing style of their home towns from the

The last day's group picture- the Cao Bang Bunch!

A distant view of the city from the top of a hill that has a war memorial park. It is definitely not as humid in Cao Bang as it is anywhere else I've been so far. The community is nice and friendly. There are hardly any cars on the road- mostly motorbikes and bicycles and it seems everyone knows each other in town. I guess it can be a good place for these students to grow up but they still need help on providing education and access to services for the deaf and disabled.

Xin chao Cao Bang va ban cua toi!