Discovering: Shuktara Release Party Fundraiser on July 22nd!

WHEN: Wednesday, July 22, 2009
WHAT: Discovering: Shuktara Release Party Fundraiser
WHERE: Rochester, NY, USA
COST: $25/person
DETAILS: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at SPoT Coffee
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at The Little Theater

We are just one week away from our Discovering: Shuktara Release Party Fundraiser! Advance tickets are now on sale at www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.


For the past nine months we have diligently worked with Closed Loop Films to capture the essence of Shuktara, an inspirational home to 18 former street children in Kolkata, India who are deaf or have cerebral palsy. We are happy to announce that our documentary is now complete and ready to share with you all!

Please join us for this exciting event to celebrate and support the continued efforts of Discovering Deaf Worlds and Shuktara. There are only 300 seats available, with less than 100 seats left, so please don't wait until the last minute. Order your tickets right away!

In addition, those in attendance will have the opportunity to meet Shuktara’s founder, David Earp and longtime supporter, Alison Saracena who are flying from Kolkata, India to Rochester, NY for this momentous occasion! A panel discussion with David and Alison will occur after the screening of Discovering: Shuktara.

DVDs of Discovering: Shuktara, complete with special features that reveal more about the people who work and live at Shuktara, will also be available for sale at the event.

To view a trailer of the film, learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or order tickets, please visit:
www.discoveringdeafworlds.com/DsicoveringShuktaraTickets.html

We hope to see you there!

Yours,

Christy Smith, David Justice and Davin Searls
The Discovering Deaf Worlds Team

Discovering Deaf Worlds is dedicated to empowering and advocating for deaf and hard of hearing communities around the world. We believe everyone deserves accessibility to language, education, and community. If you would like to learn more or make a donation, please visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.

NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE WEEK

New Zealand Sign Language Week (NZSL) will run from 4 – 10 May 2009. The week promotes New Zealand Sign Language as an official language as well as raise awareness about the Deaf community.

NZSL Week is organised by Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly Deaf Association of NZ), a not-for-profit organisation, which works with government and other organisations to provide information and resources on life for Deaf New Zealanders, Deaf culture and New Zealand Sign Language. Deaf Aotearoa also represents New Zealand Deaf internationally through the World Federation of the Deaf.


Throughout NZSL there will be a range of activities, including:

· school-based educational activities (NZSL Tool Kit)
· Taster sign language classes in all areas (employment, community, etc)
· Regional/national business awards ‘NZSL in Action Award’
· And lots of promotions (billboard, website, posters, etc)

We also have cool website – have a look at www.nzsign.co.nz

Thank you for supporting Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand!

Help Expand DDW's International Network

Happy Spring from Discovering Deaf Worlds!

Everyday, we receive e-mails from individuals and organizations searching to connect with deaf communities in other countries: backpackers looking for an international host or friend, school administrations seeking advice on deaf education, non-profit organizations and humanitarians establishing themselves in a new country, and so on.

Part of DDW's mission is to serve as a bridge between deaf communities and their advocates; putting the right people in touch. While we have our roots established in 8 different countries, we are always looking for more connections. Now we'd like to turn it over to you-


Have you traveled recently and connected with a deaf community? Do you have any stories, research, or pictures to share? Do you know any deaf/hard of hearing people, CODAs, or interpreters from other countries?


Please take a moment to share your experiences with us. Your connections will help Discovering Deaf Worlds expand our international network of deaf schools, associations, and organizations.

Feel free to e-mail us or post your response on this blog.

Enjoy the warm weather!

Namaste,

Christy Smith, David Justice, and Davin Searls
The Discovering Deaf Worlds Team

Discovering Deaf Worlds is dedicated to empowering and advocating for deaf and hard of hearing communities around the world. We believe everyone deserves accessibility to language, education, and community. If you would like to learn more or make a donation, please visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com

View the Discovering: Shuktara trailer!

Discovering: Shuktara now in production!

DDW has been hard at work these past few weeks! In addition to settling back into our American routine and working our way towards becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit, we've been focused on producing our first short film, Discovering: Shuktara.

Discovering: Shuktara is an extraordinary story about the Shuktara home, which some of you may remember from our newsletters. Shuktara is the home of 18 boys and girls who have been abandoned or run away from abusive situations. Many non-governmental organizations pass over disabled or deaf homeless youth, but Shuktara seeks them out.
You will be amazed at how far these kids have come, and how they have created a loving family of their own. Check back soon for the trailer!!

For more information on this film, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com/discovering_shuktara.php

Reid found guilty on all six charges of Emma Agnew's murder

Last year, we began our adventure with Discovering Deaf Worlds in Christchurch, New Zealand. On our very first day we met and connected with an outgoing, happy go lucky girl named Emma at the Canterbury Deaf Club. She was a leader, a good friend, and committed to improving the lives of deaf people in NZ. She invited us to her home for NZ-style fish fries and we got to know her circle of friends, trading off ASL for NZSL. When we parted a week later, we had no idea it would be the last time we would see her.

During our travels through the South Island of NZ, Emma had gone missing. Eleven days later her body was found. A man named Liam Reid was quickly arrested for the rape and murder of Emma Agnew, as well as the rape and attack on another woman from Dunedin.

On October 29, 2008, the grueling four-week trial finally closed with a sense of relief, tears and bursts of anger at the man who could have done such a thing. Reid was found guilty on all six charges and sentenced to life in prison. Over 100 witnesses testified before the jury reached it's verdict.

Emma...we hope you are up in heaven finding peace, that your family and friends are finding comfort in the sentence, and that your NZ community will continue to be reunited. It was an honor for us to know you and you will be remembered, always.


To learn more about the trial go to
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/2249945
http://news.google.com/news?client=safari&rls=en&q=liam+reid&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&hl=en&ncl=1263412554&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=