Christmas arrived a few days early for IDEA Philippine’s deaf children. Because we don’t have a sleigh or snow, on December 14th IDEA’s office staff loaded up our red van with a mountain of gifts to take to all the IDEA supported deaf centers around the island of Bohol. There was some doubt as to whether they could fit all …
Dennis Drake: Shining at Sixty
Dennis Drake: Shining at Sixty Last November 29, while the entire Philippines was celebrating Bonifacio Day, one of its national heroes, the IDEA Philippines family also had another reason to party. And that was the 60th birthday of our dear founder George Dennis Drake, our own hero! Without any clue as to what was happening on that special day, Dennis …
A Matter of the Spirit
Mission Accomplished Veronica Dunnington and daughter Tiffany completed their stay in Bohol on December 9th. Veronica was tasked with adding new life and direction for the Tiptip Deaf Church and she dedicated 2 ½ months toward this purpose. As Veronica looks at the progress of these past months she comments that the deaf community of Tagbilaran, several hundred strong, are …
Santa Fe Hall
OUR FRIEND THE TERMITE? With a little help from an army of termites, IDEA Philippine’s decision to replace the thatched meeting building beside the Dao Diamond Hotel was made easy. It was either tear it down or let if fall down on its own. It was getting dangerous to hold events there. It is funny how these “have to” situations …
Montana Trout and Bohol Deaf
Mike Hoiness of Yellowstone Fly Goods is a great friend to IDEA. He has been making an annual trips to the island of Bohol to train IDEA’s deaf students and young adults in the art of tying flies.
BDA Basketball Tournament
Play Off Teams Bohol Deaf Academy (BDA) sponsored a second annual basketball tournament this November. Two other private high schools as well as deaf teams from IDEA’s Office and Construction Crew, Dao Diamond Hotel, and Garden Café all joined the fray. The event was held on BDA’s campus at the amphitheater style court. Because much of the audience were deaf, …
Quiet Road to Success
Jimmy and Rezel with Jimmy Junior If ever there was a story that could remind us of why IDEA exists, it would be that of Jimmy & Rezel. Today they are a happy, loving couple with a handsome baby boy. They are employed, financially independent, educated, confident in their decisions, and decided on their ambitions. It hasn’t always been like …
Peanut Butter and Business
Celine, Bohol Deaf Academy’s entrepreneur teacher, recently helped the students come up with a truly home made product. With absolutely no machinery, the kids turn out a creamy style peanut butter that beats the store bought kind. Now the students are in the process of learning how to market this new product. The student can use this new skill to …
Waiting for his Turn…
By: Francis and Laura Mallorca IDEA: Southern Leyte, Philiippines Seven year old Peljune lives with his aging parents and sister in the mountains above Maasin City, Southern Leyte and the city’s SpEd center. IDEA’s transportation allowance is enough for the boy’s fare to and from class, but the extremely rough road makes the trip twice daily nearly impossible. Even if …
10th Anniversary at Tiptip Deaf Church
Deaf Church at Tiptip, Tagbilaran City Missionaries Johnny and Veronica Dunnington arrived in Bohol in 1990 and after 10 years of work, opened the doors to the Tiptip Deaf Church in 2000. Just one year later they were called back to the States and IDEA inherited the property and responsibility for its operation. IDEA was happy to be able to …