Message from the Director
Thanks for visiting our website.
The Gospel School for the Deaf and hostels were started through the vision, determination and hard work of Vivienne Harland and have continued to operate since 1999, because of the ongoing efforts of staff and supporters.
It was over 35 years ago that we first met Vivienne in New Zealand, but it was some time after she started the school and hostel that we accepted her invitation to come and look at what was being achieved. We were very impressed and after a number of visits, we became increasingly involved and now have the role of leading the operation. Fijians are wonderful people and Fiji is a great place to work and the deaf students have a special place in our hearts.
A lot has been achieved over the years in educating and caring for many deaf from Fiji and other South Pacific islands, and sharing God’s love in practical way. We are thankful for dedicated staff, some who have been there from the start, and the previous Director, Jim Cooney and his wife Marilyn for their many years of service. It is also very pleasing to hear of the achievements of past pupils in many fields and we are so pleased to have some of them working with us in the school and hostels.
But there is much to be done, and we are dependent on a loving God to provide for the needs of the school and hostels through the generous support of individuals, churches and organisations. As we move forward, we can build on the past as we continue to work for the good of the deaf students and wider deaf community of Fiji and the South Pacific. There are exciting possibilities and we will work hard to turn them into reality.
If you would like to know more or become involved in some way, please spend some time looking through our website and we would welcome your questions or comments via the contact page.
Russell and Sue Neate
The Gospel School for the Deaf and hostels were started through the vision, determination and hard work of Vivienne Harland and have continued to operate since 1999, because of the ongoing efforts of staff and supporters.
It was over 35 years ago that we first met Vivienne in New Zealand, but it was some time after she started the school and hostel that we accepted her invitation to come and look at what was being achieved. We were very impressed and after a number of visits, we became increasingly involved and now have the role of leading the operation. Fijians are wonderful people and Fiji is a great place to work and the deaf students have a special place in our hearts.
A lot has been achieved over the years in educating and caring for many deaf from Fiji and other South Pacific islands, and sharing God’s love in practical way. We are thankful for dedicated staff, some who have been there from the start, and the previous Director, Jim Cooney and his wife Marilyn for their many years of service. It is also very pleasing to hear of the achievements of past pupils in many fields and we are so pleased to have some of them working with us in the school and hostels.
But there is much to be done, and we are dependent on a loving God to provide for the needs of the school and hostels through the generous support of individuals, churches and organisations. As we move forward, we can build on the past as we continue to work for the good of the deaf students and wider deaf community of Fiji and the South Pacific. There are exciting possibilities and we will work hard to turn them into reality.
If you would like to know more or become involved in some way, please spend some time looking through our website and we would welcome your questions or comments via the contact page.
Russell and Sue Neate