Fiji News, from Rhode Island

Term two has just ended in Fiji, and students are on their two week break from school. Jim and I are in Rhode Island for the summer, and will be heading back to Fiji in September for Term three.

Around the globe, the Fiji Deaf Ministry has many supporters. As Jim says, “We are a ‘hand to mouth’ ministry”, relying primarily on donations for support. Here in Rhode Island, Jim’s sister, Agnes Chretien (center), is one of those faithful supporters. Once again, she has worked tirelessly to organize and run the 8th annual Deaf Hope Golf Tournament. Her crew of helpers consisted of other members of the Cooney clan: (left to right) sister-in-law Peggy Cooney, and sisters Anne Cooney and Kathleen Puchalla, and cousin Eileen Cooney. Once again, the tournament was a great success, raising about $7000 US for the deaf ministry. Under Agnes’ leadership, the tournament has grown every year in popularity, with over fifty participants.

Jim was not able to play this year, however. He took a fall in the parking lot before the tournament began, and badly skinned both knees. So instead of playing, he sat with bandaged knees and greeted each of the players as they headed out onto the course. It was an emotional experience, as he was overwhelmed by the dedication of each of the players who return each year to support the Fiji Deaf Ministry. What an encouragement! Players included educators and administrators from the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, the Beverly School for the Deaf and READS Collaborative, both in Massachusetts. There were also players from several area churches that support the deaf ministry, along with other faithful supporters.

Many wonderful prizes were donated and given out at the tournament; a special one being a gift of ten to fifteen lobsters, with a wine basket, donated every year by Sandy and Roy Campanale. Roy owns a lobster business, and his wife Sandy, who is deaf, is a graduate of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf. She was the first deaf from RISD to enter a work experience program, where she was hired by Hospital Trust Bank and eventually became the office manager. She now manages the office for Roy’s lobster business. Sandy volunteered in Fiji in 2004, and helped organize and set up our computer lab. She also worked with deaf adults at the newly formed Fiji Deaf Association. Sandy and Roy also hosted a team of five Fiji deaf students in their home, when we brought the team to America in 2008. Sandy and Roy have played in all eight of the golf tournaments, and have been faithful supporters of the Fiji Deaf Ministry for many years. 

The Cooney family was well represented at the tournament this year. Brendan’s new wife Julia (married two months ago) played her first round of golf ever at the tournament, and hit some great shots! 

Ryan’s wife Mary was also able to attend for the first time this year. When the tournament ended, the two youngest attendees, Annaliese (6) and Ben (2), got to ride in the golf cart with Uncle Brendan. From the youngest to the oldest (--that would be Jim!), everyone had a great day!