A random act of kindness - the world coming together!

We spent the day interviewing, filming and interacting with the students, teachers, and staff at the Van Asch Education Centre in Sumner, New Zealand (look forward to our next newsletter for more details on our visit...sign up at www.discoveringdeafworlds.com) After leaving the campus SO full of gratitude from our warm welcome, we stopped by the local nearby beach to see the Souther-Pacific ocean.

We kicked off our shoes, rolled up our pant legs and headed for the ocean when we were stopped by three men from Saudi Arabia. They playfully invited us to join them in a one-legged skipping race...which quickly developed into a solid friendship by the end of the day. One man, Hussain, is studying to become a surgeon and had recently met Paul Buzzard, a famous teacher and storyteller from the Van Asch school. What a small world!

We shared with them our journey around the world and the Discovering Deaf Worlds project. They were so supportive of our intentions to travel with a purpose and immediately started gathering others on the beach to spread the word. Before we knew it, 3 men from Saudi Arabia, 2 women from Japan, a mother and daughter from New Zealand, and 2 Americans were writing "Discovering Deaf Worlds" with seashells in the sand.

We shared a moment with Hussain and his friends, as natives from two countries that are often recognized/perceived as enemies (for lack of a better word). But here we were, all of us together as open minded people willing to build a friendship out of seashells on the beach. "We ALL want peace" Hussain said. We shared several words of encouragement to each other to keep following your dreams.

From the Deaf community at Van Asch to the hearing community at the beach, this day inspired us....there are people from other countries open to awareness of various worlds!

Thanks guys! You added an unexpected spice to our day =)

Canterbury Deaf Club ~ Christchurch, New Zealand

Last nite we visted the Canterbury Deaf Club, the largest Deaf Club on the South Island of New Zealand with over 70 members. The gymnasium sized room is filled with a movie screen TV, hot food, drinks, pool table, and many prized possessions of the Christchurch Deaf community, such as bowling trophies, history, Club president photos, etc.

With anticipation on how we would communicate in NZ sign language, we were greeted with a warm "kia ora" welcome! This was our first event and exposure to a community of people using NZ sign language. They were extremely patient to communicate, gesture and teach us NZ signs. They took an interest in two Americans visiting their country and willingly participated in our Discovering Deaf Worlds project.

We learned that there are approximately 500 signing Deaf people in Christchurch, and 5 qualified interpreters. Many are actively involved with the Deaf Club, DANZ (Deaf Association of New Zealand), and the Van Asch Education Centre. They recommend we try the famous Kiwi fish and chips (real fish straight from the Pacific Ocean, not plastic tasting processed fish like Long John Silvers). New Zealanders are most passionate about their unique breathtaking mountainous/glacier landscapes and the local Rugby team, the All-Blacks.

On Monday, we look forward to visiting Van Asch (one of two government funded Deaf schools in New Zealand). Stay tuned for more updates, photos....and eventually video to our website.


Photos:
The Canterbury Deaf Club crew

We leave the country tomorrow!

We are on our way! In five days we made it coast to coast from Rochester, New York to Oceanside, California, with a three day stop through Colorado. A special thanks to all who came to our farewell fundraisers in New York and Colorado! You are sending us off full of support, inspiration and excitement!! You have made this moment possible. Today is officially our last day in the USA for a long long time.

After a whirlwind of travel x-country, we are taking a day to relax before our first international flight. We are reading up on New Zealand from our "lonely planet" guide (there are 3.95 million people and 39.2 million sheep!), and practicing our NZ sign language in attempt to not be terribly awkward Americans when we visit the Christchurch Deaf Club on Friday.

We're traveling West...and will keep traveling west for the year until we get back to the USA. Thank you for believing in us! Stay tuned . . .


photos:
New York: DJ saying bye to nephew Sky; DJ & Christy planning what to pack;
Colorado: Aspen trees, farewell fundraiser
California: the Pacific Ocean