Andrew Miller is the International Director for DMI. When he’s not munching on Violet Crumble bars in Sydney, he’s travelling around the world raising funds and DMI’s profile in developed countries or visiting the fields we support to see what’s needed and how our funds are being managed. Either way, he works tirelessly to avoid unidentifiable food and meets lots of weird and wonderful people who he just can’t resist interviewing…

#12 Mary Jane

I have interviewed some of the most remarkable long-serving stewards of DMI’s legacy. Today I interview one of the youngest. Mary Jane L. Montero has been in the DMI family since she was an infant and thanks to DMI supporters both near and far, she is turning heads with some outstanding achievements, fast becoming one of our brightest lights. I interview her in Bacolod, Philippines, in the boarding house of Albert and Kim, who watch over her tenderly as her house parents.

Andrew: How long have you been living in the boarding house here?

Mary Jane: 10 years! I was just a little girl when I first met you.

You were here in 2019 when I first visited? Wow. I’m sorry, I didn’t recognise you.

She pulls out a photo from that visit and shows me.

Wow. That little girl is you!? When you first came here 10 years ago, how did you feel?

I felt really happy because I could finally live with other people who were Deaf. Even though I was young, I fitted right in.

You started at the age of four. You didn’t feel a little bit nervous at all?

Yes, I did feel a bit shy, but that was overcome by the joy of living amongst other Deaf. I was really so happy.

Where do you go to school?

I started at Buffalo city Special Education Center. Now I’m at Bacolod city National High school.

I understand you’re a very good student. Do you have a favourite subject?

I like math and English best.

You have won many scholastic awards and achievements – certificates of recognition and excellence with honors. How do you feel when you are awarded those?

I feel really happy.

Tell me about your family.

My father passed away two years ago.

I’m sorry to hear that.

I’m the youngest of five girls. My four older sisters have all moved out, married, started working, etc. so my mother was all alone. She moved out to live with one of my older married sisters.

What do you like best about living in the dorm here?

I like the devotion times we have together best.

Let’s go a little bit deeper here. Why do you like the devotion times so much?

I really like studying the Bible.

Why, what’s the appeal there?

I really want to be a teacher when I grow up and I want to be able to share the Bible clearly and well with other Deaf children in the future.

How have Albert and Kim influenced you regarding this? To what extent have they guided you to become a teacher?

They haven’t, really. They just have a very gentle character, which encourages me to want to be like them and be a teacher.

I know how happy you are here, but what are some of the challenges of living in a boarding house?

Sometimes there’s a little bit of bullying and I don’t like that, but it doesn’t happen too often.

At that point, Althea comes and joins us at the table. Althea, 17,  is one of the students here but she is severely mentally disabled. She's not able to tell us her own name. She was healthy at birth, but as a newborn, caught a fever and was overmedicated which caused deafness, seizures and blackouts. The outcome has been devastating. She now has the mental capacity of a three-year-old.

How long has Althea been living here at the dorm with you?

About one year.

How do you communicate with her?

We use sign language. She can sign a bit. It’s not very good but we can get by.

Clearly, she needs extra support. Do you help her sometimes with her study?

To be honest, she can’t be helped. She doesn’t even know colors or numbers.

Ah, that’s sad.

I ask Althea: Is Mary Jane friendly to you?

Althea: Yes, I love her. She’s a great friend.

They smile at each other then Althea wanders off again into another room. I have seen Mary Jane’s academic brilliance - her certificates line the wall - and you can tell in talking to her that she’s as bright as a button. But it’s her exchange with Althea that tells me about her heart. Mary Jane personifies kindness and has the sort of character that wins friends easily and makes mentors punch proud.

Let’s talk about your faith. When did you become a Christian?

I’m not sure. For as long as I can remember. 

So why do you choose to live as a Christian?

I believe in Jesus. I love the Christian walk. It’s how I want to live my life. 

Mary Jane’s expression is easy and sincere.

Wonderful. But how do you reconcile your Christian faith with your cheating in Uno last night?

I didn’t cheat! You were the one who cheated! And even then you couldn’t win.

Yes, I did cheat, didn’t I? But didn’t I win?

No!

You want to go again?

You’re on. But no cheating this time!

~

If you would like to support Mary Jane or any of the other students at the boarding house in Bacolod, please contact Kay for details at kay.vannamen@deafmin.org and please give generously at https://deafmin.org/donate/ or click on the ‘Donate’ button below and mark ‘Bacolod Boarding House’ (or other name) in the reference.