Gualandi School for the Deaf to expand campus

Myrna Bermudo

Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf (SLMD) in Naga City gathered on December 8, 2020 inside the Gualandi compound to celebrate a momentous event- the groundbreaking ceremony of the Joseph Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired. It signals the construction of the new school building for a more conducive learning of the learners with special needs in Naga and Bicol Region.

Gualandi School, located in Balatas, Naga City is home to children and families with special needs. It is owned by Sisters for the Little Mission for the Deaf, a congregation of priests and religious sisters who ministers to the social, educational, religious and spiritual welfare of the deaf. The congregation was founded by Venerable Joseph Gualandi in Bologna, Italy in 1872. The Gualandi School for the Deaf in Naga City was established in 2008 at Balatas, Naga City.

The school uses the oral method of communication in teaching. Using holistic approach, the school creates an environment for learning so that the children with special needs will develop self-confidence, sustainable skills, and values rooted in the Gospel. They also equip the hearing impaired life skills to help them prepare for integration in their future endeavors.

Sr. Nora B. Pationag, SLMD, local superior of the Sisters of the Little Mission for the Deaf, presents the plan of the new building for Joseph Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired which will house 12 classrooms for children with special needs at Balatas, Naga City. (photo Gualandi FB)

Currently, the school offers nursery to elementary levels. They teach and train the children how to use and communicate using the sign language.

Inside the campus is a basketball gym for the hearing impaired and for outsiders. Rental of the gym is a source of income for the teachers’ salary and other administrative costs.

For the past seven (7) years, the SLMD sisters have used the basketball gymnasium rooms as temporary classrooms for the nursery and elementary school children who are hearing impaired. Due to the noise inside the gym, it no longer conducive to learning. Thus, once the new building is finished, it will house more classrooms for children with special needs. The sisters dream of one building with twelve classrooms.

In behalf of the children with special needs, the sisters are begging the readers to help them construct the classroom through generous support and donations. The readers may contact or visit Gualandi School for the Hearing Impaired and look for Sr. Nora B. Pationag, SLMD, the local superior, at her cellphone number 09182813370. She can be reached through this email address: gualandischoolnaga@gmail.com.