I'm here in Ghana with Pencils of Promise (PoP) to start the program of momosign and Phonic Chants for elementary school levels.

Many thanks to Dr. Oppong at the Department of Special Education, University of Education in Winneba and Daniel, his primary interpreter who recorded the momosign program for Ghana. 

He is instrumental in the development of deaf education in Ghana. When he first started, he saw how deaf children were often treated no better than animals. His advocacy work has taken him door-to-door to help raise people's awareness one-by-one in a tireless effort to make this a slightly better world.

  

I took a quiet morning walk through Phnom Penh, but with barricades and riot police everywhere, the stillness was ominous. 

In the news: "The ban on demonstrations will also be put to the test on Sunday, when leaders of nine unions are planning to gather 10,000 supporters in Freedom Park to demand the release of the 23 detainees and push for the doubling of the minimum wage for garment workers to U.S. $160 per month." 

In so many casual conversations, I was surprised at how people were willing to talk about politics. Many said they got their information online. "We're not stupid anymore," they would say.

By afternoon, the police were smoking, playing cards and napping. We could all sigh in temporary relief. I tend to think these are signs of an emerging democracy, but my Thai friend corrects me, "How could you really know?"

To prepare momosign for Cambodia, I asked for help at DDP (Deaf Development Programme) (http://www.ddp-cambodia.org) They are active in basic education, job training, community development, sign language interpretation and a project to standardize Cambodian Sign Language.

The taping went fairly smoothly since I know what's involved. Without a studio, the lighting is always tricky and there will always be disputes over signs. In this case it was about eggplant. "It's this way, no it's this way, no it's this way." 

We could reach a consensus and cover the 30 momosign lessons in time for the CAM TESOL conference. I hope to be back and do justice to this great language.

Conferences are supposed to be fun, but sometimes I wonder with sessions like, "Perspectives in acquisitional complexity among users of the independent clause."

Not to be outdone, I did finger spelling for ABC at the CAM TESOL 2014 conference. I love to see grown adults practically fall out of their chairs in enthusiasm over momosign. When we reached "Z" it was as if the entire room was triumphantly planting their flags at the summit of Everest.

We didn't take as many photos as the Lao TESOL, but one participant, almost in relief said, "Thank for waking us up."

The Cambodia TESOL was an impressive event. Despite its scale, it was well organized and the various sessions were well attended. I presented momosign under the title: Kinesthetic connections across borders and barriers

"English has the potential to connect people across regional and international borders, but acquiring the language is not easy for everyone. With the emphasis on writing and grammar, the importance of non-verbal communication and contextual understanding are often overlooked. Sign language is by default non-verbal. It encodes gestures, facial expression and the use of space into the transference of meaning.

Martin Momoda has developed a method of using gestures from sign language, as an effective tool for hearing students of English. Memory is strengthened through aural, visual and kinesthetic means. Symbolic gestures are direct expressions of meaning and thus reduce translation. Using signs strengthens non-verbal skills, making communicating in English easier and more enjoyable."

"The promise is to dramatically increase English skills through this method, which is especially suited for resource scarce country.  Stronger English skills will open doors to economic integration. A large population of students who know basic sign language will break down barriers for the disabled, promising to create an inclusive education as well as an inclusive society."

The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia is a horrific testament of what humans have done to each other. The Khmer Rouge killed an estimated 2 million people (30% of the population) in the late 70s through starvation, torture or execution. At Tuol Sleng, 20,000 died with only 7 known survivors. 

It is a museum now, formerly a prison camp and originally a secondary school. Other than the barbed wire and the lack of happy voices, you might think it is still a school. There are blooming frangipani trees, clipped lawns and teenagers playing soccer. The building style is alarmingly similar to a typical Lao middle school.

Isn't it a problem in the design that a school can so easily be converted to a place of torture? Can't some master architect design a school so beautifully true to its mission that this can't be possible? Creative thinkers and free spirits need to defy the killers within us.

Meet Sopheap. He runs a successful bicycling tour company in Battambong and is honored with a #1 rating on Trip Advisor. He says this is only his first step. Some day he will be prime minister.

One evening, we're throwing around ideas for fun. He can't expand his business by simply adding more bicycles. What about a campfire for tourists? Roasted fish and mango sauce, cricket concerts, star watches, Khmer ghost stories! 

By the next morning (early) he'd made a logo, figured out a balance sheet and made plans on how to get tourist traffic. He cleared the land, bought gravel, built and painted tables and didn't forget to buy fish. After a few days we had the greatest campfire party in Battambang. It was such a success that he posted online (instant likes) and designated his smartest female staff to head the new branch business.

Why is he doing business? It's the experience, he says. His plan is to become the leader of an opposition party in Cambodia in 15 years. As a student, he was told by a teacher that to be a political leader, you must make sure everyone likes you. That was not the last lesson he disagreed with. So there you have it! Cambodian Campfire.

With so many burdens in modern life, I don't know why I would want to shoulder anything more than one bag. This is it. I do it out of necessity.  I like to be able to pack in 60 seconds because I'll be living in guesthouses and hotels for the next few months. Actually, I've been living in guesthouses and hotels for the last ten years. I lost count and haven't washed and changed sheets in years.

But it's not like I call myself something fancy like a minimalist or something. Another label, another lifestyle, another burden. Look it up. "Thirty steps on how to be a minimalist". I read about someone who always had clothes ready at the cleaners on the way to work to save closet space. Anyway, with a smart phone, why would you need anything else at all? I don't have a smart phone.

It's hard to part with a good pair of sandals after they've served so well for so long. I'd noticed pain on the bottom of my foot at times, but it wasn't until way later that I realized there was a hole. I bought these years ago because they were the cheapest and ugliest things I could find. I was having trouble with a generic pair that kept getting traded for other ones which were usually smelly downgrades. You see, you leave them at the entrance and try to find them when exiting. These lovely ugly things were very loyal and were never abducted.

Along with the innovations of the wheel, the rocket and astro body transferring was the shoe. A slab of animal skin or woven grass enabled people to cover more territory more quickly and less painfully. In my work, this is a concern. If I were a wage worker, there would be weekends, but working for development means things must move forward. Honestly, my sandals are great support.

Then one day in Battambang, Cambodia I found the reason to say goodbye to the plastic reptile sandals. Beautiful black sandals made from recycled tubes and tires. Comfortable, strong and the added plus is the traction on the bottom. Not looking back.

During breaks of coconut jellies and Nescafe, I'd make small talk with participants, mostly teachers and administrators from throughout the country. "So what is your situation with English education? What are the challenges?" 

I guess I've been around for a while because a few would respond, "I think you already know." Well, if they already knew momosign, they certainly didn't look bored. My favorite memories are of elegantly dressed women of high position have fun doing the "chicken" sign.

In typical Lao fashion, enthusiasm isn't shown so much with critical questions and analysis as with requests for photos. We ran overtime.