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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.
2020 & 2021 Board Meetings have been held over Zoom, the 2022 Meeting was a mix of Zoom and In-person
(Photos are from 2019)
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 Board is putting in place procedures for regular evaluation. An operational audit is planned post-COVID.
To promote the quality of the education provided.
The rapid response by the GSD teaching staff to lockdown has been impressive. New skills are being acquired as lessons are taught remotely, online wherever possible.
Three teachers attended ICED 2021 (International Congress for Educators of the Deaf) over Zoom.
To provide quality hostel accommodation.
The plan for a purpose-built hostel is on hold, there has been no progress in the Suva City Council's plan to extend sewerage into Samabula.
Work on the purchase of a large local house is progressing. Once this is completed work will begin on modifying the building to make it into suitable hostel for the older boys and a home for the Director and his wife.
To plan for the future sustainability of the Ministry within the context of the needs of the Deaf of Fiji.
The search for suitable land on which to develop a farm, to be run by the Deaf, is ongoing.
A job description is being developed for a new role: someone to support young Deaf, post-school, and into work.
Support for the Deaf throughout the South Pacific.
Seven deaf students are now receiving sign-medium education in Vanuatu. Plans for GSD staff to visit has been delayed by COVID, but support for the teacher is being provided over Zoom.
Technology has also permitted personal support to continue for Kiribati Deaf.
To ensure the effective running of the school and hostels.
The Board is putting in place procedures for regular evaluation. An operational audit is planned post-COVID.
To promote the quality of the education provided.
The rapid response by the GSD teaching staff to lockdown has been impressive. New skills are being acquired as lessons are taught remotely, online wherever possible.
Three teachers attended ICED 2021 (International Congress for Educators of the Deaf) over Zoom.
To provide quality hostel accommodation.
The plan for a purpose-built hostel is on hold, there has been no progress in the Suva City Council's plan to extend sewerage into Samabula.
Work on the purchase of a large local house is progressing. Once this is completed work will begin on modifying the building to make it into suitable hostel for the older boys and a home for the Director and his wife.
To plan for the future sustainability of the Ministry within the context of the needs of the Deaf of Fiji.
The search for suitable land on which to develop a farm, to be run by the Deaf, is ongoing.
A job description is being developed for a new role: someone to support young Deaf, post-school, and into work.
Support for the Deaf throughout the South Pacific.
Seven deaf students are now receiving sign-medium education in Vanuatu. Plans for GSD staff to visit has been delayed by COVID, but support for the teacher is being provided over Zoom.
Technology has also permitted personal support to continue for Kiribati Deaf.