Day 30: A Talk Using Filipino Sign Language

CAD Participants on their group activity

It's my first time becoming a speaker using the Filipino Sign Language. I talked about the basics of Events Management which the outline was made by my very diligent work placement partner. It is very challenging indeed.

This is Day 1 of the Leadership Training Seminar for the officers and members of CAD. We did first an little orientation and then, expectations setting.

Here are some of there expectations for the Training:

1. Learn more and keep improving in the future.
2. Become empowered leaders
3. Become good leaders
4. Sharing of responsibilities
5. Adopt the training and become more independent
6. Help CAD to gain more confidence
7. Don't be shy to ask questions
8. Don't your skills
9. Work together to become role models

Mike, briefing the participants about the Team
Building Acitivities

Team Bulding. We then had series of team building activities to strengthen them.

Tower Building. We first had tower building using paper. They weren't provided by a tape. After the time, we realized we weren't able to communicate that well. Instead of them building a tower, they build a scenery of a house that shows what CAD is. It might be a bit frustrating but it taught us a lesson to really inquire if they understand us.

Human Knot.The human knot is very challenging. Seeing them do the human knot without using their hands is similar to hearing individuals doing the same challenge without speaking to each other. For the Deaf, their hands are used to communicate and their eyes to listen and see.

Participants were quite challenged by the
Helium Stick!

Helium Stick. I say this is the most challenging of all because it gives the impression that the stick is really floating. It worked wonders on their minds on how the stick seemed to float. But, later, they were able to figure it out and finally put the stick on the grpund.

Followed the afternoon was a session about Handling Meetings by Ronnie and Fund Raising by Sofia. They were able to generate a lot of ideas regarding the possible activities and initiatives to raise funds for their projects.

This day made me see how creative Deaf people are and I'm loving it. More and more I get to know their culture – I came to appreciate and understand their world better each day.

Fund raising ideas of the CAD participants

In Psychology, there are two ways to learn – Experiential or Vicarious Learning. Experiential means learning through experience and Vicarious is learning without experiencing it. We don't have to become Deaf to understand their ways – I believe you just have to listen and empathize – that would even be more than enough.