Cheryl Shahan
Ohio, USA
Volunteer (Spring, 2006) learned of BSD through a friend, Jan DeLap who worked with Aloy and Margaret when they lived in the United States. After dinner with some friends and Aloy, Shahan was inspired by his passion, believed in their goals and started planning her trip. Throughout her 5 months Shahan taught Class 3 (approximately third grade) for two school terms, mentored one other teacher and provided various workshops and on-site instructions for all the teachers. Shahan put her teaching experience, techniques and skills together to implement an integrated read-aloud program. The program was equipped with training for the teachers, classroom strategies and book collection to build the library. Shahan noted the importance of education to BSD students and staff was inspiring. Their desire to learn, grow and teach has motivated her to continue her own educational goals. Now working on her doctoral degree in Education at Gallaudet University, Shahan has joined forces with Teresa Arcari, Ann Bibum-Kona, intern Lena Dunning and Maurice Tomdio in establishing Friends of the Buea School for the Deaf. Her efforts have been motivational and her educational impact has been long lasting.
Hillary Roberts
Kentucky, USA
Gallaudet University (Spring, 2006) intern majored in political science with a focus in international relations. Roberts learned of the Buea School for the Deaf and internship possibilities from Gallaudet Professor Dr. Cristina Berdichevsky. During her eight months in Cameroon she invested a great deal of time networking and conducting research related to program development for the deaf in the South West province. Her conversational skills were put to great use when visitors toured the school. Roberts takes pride in her ability to connect with new people and felt her networking skills made a notable impact. Roberts, spoke highly of the friendships made throughout her internship and will always remember her time in Cameroon.
Corrine Burgler
Holland
Self-motivated volunteer (Winter, 2006) learned of BSD through her cousin who spent time volunteering at the United Action for Children in Cameroon. Upon graduating with her bachelor’s degree in speech-training Burgler committed four months to a volunteer experience that changed her life. Burgler invested her time in developing a Nursery program using sign language fully equipped with curriculum, proper teaching space and creative materials for the staff as well as the students. She developed a teaching manual, fundraised for supplies and spent time after school reviewing the instructional material with the Nursery teachers. Burgler takes great pride in hands on teaching and was responsible for coordinating BSD's first field trip. A day trip to the ocean with the Nursery class and their teachers was an event that still makes her smile.
Lena Dunning
New Mexico, USA
Gallaudet University (Spring, 2007) intern spent her final semester of her social work master's degree at the Buea School for the Deaf. Dunning learned of BSD during her first year as an MSW student when founder Aloy Bibum gave a presentation at Gallaudet University. Dunning spent her four months fundraising for the school, recruiting students with the Outreach Coordinator and educating the community through a monthly newsletter. Dunning worked hard during the week balancing her own education obligations with her intern responsibilities and could be found playing soccer down at the school for the greater part of her Saturday. The staff and students made a lasting impression on her and are still the topic of present day conversations. Upon returning from her experience she joined forces with volunteer Shahan, Teresa Arcari, Ann Bibum-Kona, Maurice Tomdio in establishing Friends of the Buea School for the Deaf.
Peggy (PeV) Hlibok
Maryland, USA
Volunteer (Fall, 2007) and long time collegiate companion, became friends with both Aloy and Margaret in the 1980s. Hlibok has always supported their pursuit of giving back and empowering the Deaf in Cameroon and during her 2 month volunteer time she witnessed their quest first hand. Hlibok spent her time substituting for teachers, reading with the classes and working with Aloy through land negotiations. Her most memorable activity was hosting a car wash to raise money for the school. BSD staff and students shared the stream with the car wash employees, learned how to wash cars while educating the community on the abilities of the Deaf. She noted this experience as rewarding on multiple levels. Hlibok left Cameroon having felt the gift of love from BSD and the Buea community. The school’s motto: Faith, Wisdom and Discipline proved the values of self-esteem, respect and cooperation. Her goals have since been carried on through the students’ dedication to learning, and through teachers and staff as their role models.
Meredith Rarick (left)
Texas, USA
Gallaudet University (Spring, 2008) intern spent the final semester of her social work master's degree program at the Buea School for the Deaf. Rarick learned about BSD in her first semester at Gallaudet when MSW student (Lena) was preparing to go for her final internship and knew after one conversation that she wanted to go to BSD as well. Rarick spent much of her time working on teaching sign language to the parents of BSD students, a grant project made possible through the International Deaf Children’s Society (IDCS). Prior to going to Cameroon Rarick studied gender issues in Sub-Saharan Africa and knew immediately after arriving that she wanted to focus on the female students at BSD, which led her to develop a weekly girls group and organize participation for International Woman’s Day in March 2008. Rarick’s involvement in the International Woman’s Day march and celebration stands apart from her experience as one of the happiest days of her life. Being involved in such an empowering event while raising community awareness for BSD and especially deaf women brought chills to her spine and a tear to her eye.
Tisha Riley
California, USA
Intern (Spring 2009) While studying at Gallaudet University Tisha met Aloysious and Margaret Bibum during a fundraiser for BSD in 2007. Already pursuing a self-directed major titled "Deaf Education in Developing Countries" Tisha was inspired to intern at BSD as part of her studies. During her internship at BSD Tisha taught Class1B for one school term. She provided additional instructional support for the teacher in Class1 and for the students in Class 1B. After school she tutored hearing teachers in linguistics, sign language, cultural sensitivity for deaf students, and conducted a two day interpreting workshop. Tisha also created an informational flyer guiding families to resources within their community that can help them cover the cost of their student’s education. Currently Tisha is pursuing her graduate degree in education and will continue to work with BSD and other deaf schools globally.
James Harrison
Illinois, USA
Gallaudet University (Spring, 2009) intern chose Buea School for the Deaf to complete graduation requirements for the Master’s School Social Work program. The decision to be placed at BSD came after considerable thought about international opportunities offered through Gallaudet in addition to conversations with previous interns and volunteers. His varied background in community relations, language study, and social activism proved to be an asset for the projects he pursued including a qualitative research study, development of teacher and parent resource materials (i.e. introduction to sign language DVD, visitor resource book), and a boy’s leadership group. In preparation for the experience James signed up for courses in International Development and a general studies course discussing economic, social and political indicators on the continent of Africa. After graduating from the social work program James has the goal of continuing advocacy efforts for BSD and other schools for the deaf in transitioning countries globally.
