The Deaf Development Programme (DDP) where three Maryknoll Lay Missioners (Karen Bortvedt, Nancy Davies and Fr. Charlie Dittmeier) serve in mission in Cambodia received some extra media coverage recently, thanks in part to the efforts of Karen Bortvedt, who works as the Communications Coordinator there. Karen is featured as the interview subject in this article from the Khmer Times, where she describes some of the issues at the root for the deaf population in Cambodia. Describing how a photo exhibit DDP co-organized with the U.S. Embassy might help bridge the gaps that exist, Karen is quoted saying, “It’s great if we [DDP] can provide a lot of services, and educate the deaf, but for them to be included as equals in Cambodian society, folks need to have an understanding of the deaf.” The photo exhibit was also promoted in this article from the Phnom Penh Post. In April, DDP was additionally mentioned in this article in The Phnom Penh Post, which discusses how Cambodian higher education for deaf students continues to evolve.
Erik Cambier served as Maryknoll lay missioner for 25 years, in Tanzania, the United States, Venezuela and El Salvador.
