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(QNO) - Maire McCann, an Irish nurse with the Vietnamese name Mai, has tried to help hearing-impaired children by developing a centre for supporting hearing-impaired children’s community integration named Hearing and Beyond in Vietnam (HBV).
Maire left Australia, where she was working, to travel around the world in 2005.
Arriving in Hoi An for a short volunteer role, Maire felt a deep connection and chose to help hearing-impaired children. Despite challenges, she decided to stay in Hoi An (Quang Nam, Viet Nam) to help hearing-impaired children.
In 2008, Maire provided a special class for hearing-impaired children in her rented home. To maintain the class, she had to return to her work in Australia for 3-4 months a year.
As the number of children increased, financial struggles arose, but with support from family and friends, she stayed, committed to her mission.
Overcoming challenges, Maire’s class grew from two to 29 hearing-impaired students from Hoi An, Dien Ban, Duy Xuyen, and Que Son. Now based in Dien Nam Dong, HBV continues to bring hope and joy through silent yet vibrant classrooms.
Maire nurtures a love for learning in hearing-impaired children, providing general knowledge, life skills, and vocational training. She combines discipline with deep care, creating a strong bond through gestures and affection.
Maire always encourages parents to be active partners in their children's education, fostering a strong connection between home and school. She also organises interactive activities like cooking, singing, and field trips for children.
Once feeling lonely and self-conscious due to her hearing impairment, Nguyen Thi Lanh (born 1994) is now an assistant teacher, helping others like her. In another case, Le Thi Trang finds joy in seeing once-shy children open up, learn sign language, and gain confidence.
Hearing-impaired children in Maire’s class
With Maire's dedication, the centre's first graduate, Son, secured a stable job. Each child has dreams. At the centre, they find hope, stepping out of loneliness, gaining confidence, and transforming their lives.
Maire believes that hearing impairment does not limit a child's potential and hopes more people will support their education and integration.
Vietnam is home, where she has built a small house beside the centre to stay close to the children. She finds fulfilment in changing lives and cherishes the warm embraces that remind her she is never alone.