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The Harland Deaf Ministry Trust
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The Trust Board members are volunteers keen to further the work of the Ministry. Members come from three different countries: Fiji, the U.S.A. and New Zealand. At any one time at least one member of the Board is a member of the Fiji Deaf community. Several of the Fiji representatives are members of Suva St Chapel, a local church which has been very proactive in its support of the Deaf community and which has a special relationship with the ministry. There is also a representative from Bryndwr Chapel, in Christchurch, New Zealand, which has supported the ministry from its beginning. Some members have expertise in working with and/or educating the deaf.
Big Issues at the 2019 AGM |
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What do about the urgent housing crisis?
Taitusi Tavakaturanga with an interpreter.
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How to provide more pastoral support for adult deaf?
Tuliana Waibuta and Mesake Qionilase - CFD leaders - with an interpreter.
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Long term sustainability. Acquiring a farm?
Russell Neate and Vivian Nainoca.
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The main current concerns of the Board are:
To ensure the effective running of the school and hostels.
The financial reporting for the schools and hostels has been taken to a new level by the work of Board member Vivian Nainoca. Thank you Vivian!
To promote the quality of the education provided.
The Board currently funds a scholarship to provide extra training for our in-house trained teachers of the Deaf.
To provide quality hostel accommodation.
Students are currently accommodated in rented houses or, in the case of the main hostel, Vivienne Harland’s old, modified home.
Rents are expensive and young people are squeezed into less than ideal facilities. There are very few complaints, the hostels are generally very happy places, but when the children were recently asked, “If the hostels were improved what would you like?” The very prompt reply was: “Please, more toilets and showers and a bit more room in our bedrooms.”
The Board Plan:
1) To build a purpose-built hostel. We have land for the purpose and an inspiring plan for the building, but nothing can happen until the Suva City Council puts promised sewerage into this part of Suva.
2) In light of the ongoing delay to the above plan, and in response to the urgent need for more space, the Board is looking to acquire another home - to modify - in the area.
To plan for the future sustainability of the Ministry within the context of the needs of the Deaf of Fiji.
Some Board members are starting to think through ways in which this ministry could assist with finding more options for adult deaf to contribute in Fiji.
Finding funding for a vocational/pastoral worker to help adult Deaf to find and remain in work, is an immediate priority.
The possibility of a deaf farm being set up is being explored.
Support for the Deaf throughout the South Pacific.
This refers to the ongoing support of ex-students back in their home countries, and also to the development of educational facilities in other South Pacific countries. Vanuatu and Kiribati are the main current focus. A teacher from Vanuatu is being trained at the GSD and a visit to that country is planned.
To ensure the effective running of the school and hostels.
The financial reporting for the schools and hostels has been taken to a new level by the work of Board member Vivian Nainoca. Thank you Vivian!
To promote the quality of the education provided.
The Board currently funds a scholarship to provide extra training for our in-house trained teachers of the Deaf.
To provide quality hostel accommodation.
Students are currently accommodated in rented houses or, in the case of the main hostel, Vivienne Harland’s old, modified home.
Rents are expensive and young people are squeezed into less than ideal facilities. There are very few complaints, the hostels are generally very happy places, but when the children were recently asked, “If the hostels were improved what would you like?” The very prompt reply was: “Please, more toilets and showers and a bit more room in our bedrooms.”
The Board Plan:
1) To build a purpose-built hostel. We have land for the purpose and an inspiring plan for the building, but nothing can happen until the Suva City Council puts promised sewerage into this part of Suva.
2) In light of the ongoing delay to the above plan, and in response to the urgent need for more space, the Board is looking to acquire another home - to modify - in the area.
To plan for the future sustainability of the Ministry within the context of the needs of the Deaf of Fiji.
Some Board members are starting to think through ways in which this ministry could assist with finding more options for adult deaf to contribute in Fiji.
Finding funding for a vocational/pastoral worker to help adult Deaf to find and remain in work, is an immediate priority.
The possibility of a deaf farm being set up is being explored.
Support for the Deaf throughout the South Pacific.
This refers to the ongoing support of ex-students back in their home countries, and also to the development of educational facilities in other South Pacific countries. Vanuatu and Kiribati are the main current focus. A teacher from Vanuatu is being trained at the GSD and a visit to that country is planned.