In response to the article you kindly printed on the Mandalay School for the Deaf that my wife, Sandra, started in April 1962, several OHs kindly and generously sent donations. I wrote to thank everyone who contributed.

The project to raise the standard of health and education of the little Burmese deaf children and, in particular, the Mandalay School for the Deaf, is developing rapidly.

Last January a team of four ENT Surgeons, two audiologists and an experienced Teacher of the Deaf visited Burma. They tested 149 deaf children in the Mandalay School and gave 64 of them hearing aids with dramatic results. One boy who had been given a hearing aid immediately began dancing to some music which he heard for the first time in his life!

Another child could be heard vocalising as she ran down the stairs - listening to her voice - for the first time ever! It is difficult to describe in words the transformation that is possible if these children can be given hearing aids - their lives are totally changed!

In October I am taking a team of four experienced audiologists and a teacher of the deaf for a two week visit - one at a school for the deaf in Yangon and the second in Mandalay. In addition to more hearing tests for the children, the team will be reassessing those who have been given hearing aids, carrying out some operations and giving training to the Burmese Teachers of the Deaf. The tasks are enormous. Burma, a million, until very recently had just one audiologist! She has now retired. At last, now, there are some others in training.

In case anyone wants it, the 'Mandalay School for the Deaf' Registered Charity number is 1162643, Bank Account Number 27929892, Sort Code 60-12-12.

Mandalay School for the Deaf

14 Dec - Colvin Dinner - The Blakeway-Smith Years 1974-1989

3 Nov - Kent Dinner

24 June Summer Reunion

10 June Alban's 40 Year Reunion

26 May - 2017 Leavers' Drinks Reception

Chris Wyles - OH of the Year

Sam Billings (BF 04)

04 May The Haileybury Society West Country Lunch

21 April The Haileybury Society Senior Members' Luncheon

David Blakeway-Smith (Staff 1970-1993)