MISSIONER NEWSLETTER – Spring 2024

Julie Lawler, Cambodia

Sok Nov proudly showcases how he blends his creativity with his new passion for baking.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—As we journey together this year as “Pilgrims of Hope” for the Jubilee, I want to reflect on how job training at the Deaf Development Programme (DDP), where I serve, cultivates and nurtures deaf young adults. 

Each student has their own gifts and interests, and as they enter job training we start seeing their dreams take shape. 

I want to highlight two students: Sok Nov and SreyVin, who are in the job training program this year at DDP to share about their hope for the future and how their talents will support them after leaving job training in the spring of 2025. After visiting their job placement site a month ago to see how they were doing, I was inspired by their stories.

“I love drawing and I could see how my creative ideas could be used in my new baking class, which inspired my desire for a new job in the future,” says Sok Nov.

With confidence and determination, SreyVin practices hairstyling techniques, preparing for a future where she can support herself and her mother.

Sok Nov is an 18-year-old man with a friendly and outgoing personality. After getting to know Sok Nov over the past two years, I have noticed he has a creative side and loves to put his creativity to use. 

Upon asking Sok Nov what he wanted to do for job training, he was sure he wanted to work in a salon. But on a random visit to other training sites, he quickly fell in love with the idea of joining the baking class. 

He said, “I can see how my love for drawing and imagination can be used when I bake. When I came for a tour of the baking class, I knew this was the right place for me.” 

His parents support him fully and want to see him succeed. When Sok Nov was visiting the new job training site, his father took off work to go with him. His dad wanted to make sure the hostel and location was a safe and legitimate establishment. 

On a follow-up visit, I was able to visit Sok Nov a month after he started his training as a baker. Sok Nov was excited to show me what types of food he has been able to bake, which consisted of fluffy white bread, madeleine cookies, and cupcakes to name a few. 

During that visit, Sok Nov said, “Maybe when I master making birthday cakes, then others can order from me in the future.” He said that after completing this training, he wants to set up a local shop near where his parents live.

“I feel hopeful for the future and enjoy learning about hair, nails, and makeup,” says SreyVin.

SreyVin is a 19-years-old woman. She is participating in salon training this year with another young deaf women. She has overcome many obstacles in her life already and continues to find ways to stay positive. 

SreyVin was abandoned as a toddler by her father for being deaf. In his eyes, she was not a daughter he wanted to take care of. SreyVin and her mom had to find ways to support each other. 

After two years of basic education at DDP and previous schooling at another deaf school in Phnom Penh, SreyVin says she now has hope for the future. On my site visit, I asked SreyVin what she has been learning. In her first month, the class has been focusing on basic skills like nails and washing and straightening hair. She was confident in doing these basic skills and looks forward to learning more advanced skills with hair and makeup. With this training, she plans to set up a salon near her home and support her mom.

As we continue to journey as “Pilgrims of Hope” this Jubilee year, it will be my prayer to have more deaf young adults complete our basic education program, move on to job training, and find a path that will allow them to support themselves and their families for many years to come.

Please consider supporting my mission work at the Deaf Development Programme with a donation through the link below.

I invite you to walk with me as a “COMPANION IN MISSION.” Companions in Mission are friends and generous donors who give financial gifts on a regular (usually monthly) basis. For more information, visit Become a Companion in Mission. Thank you so much for your generosity!