Volume 3 Issue 1
August 2009 www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
Discovering Shuktara Release Party Is An Astounding Success!
DDW Directors Christy Smith and Davin Searls celebrate the evening’s success. On July 22, Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) hosted its first official benefit by premiering its documentary film, Discovering: Shuktara, in Rochester, N.Y. Over 300 people attended this sold-out event, which was sponsored by 21 local businesses and individuals, raising over $16,000. “More important than the financial success of this fundraiser, however, was the feeling of inspiration shared by everyone in the room,” said DDW Executive Director Davin Searls. “It was phe-
What is DDW? 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. For more information, photos and stories, visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com.
Collaborating with Epic Arts in Cambodia nomenal,” stated one attendee. “The Shuktara kids are the real heroes!” The night began with a social mixer at SPoT Coffee. Over $5,000 in raffle prizes were given away, including a hot air balloon ride and hand-made blankets provided by the Shuktara home. The crowd then gathered at The Little Theater to watch the film, where several walk-ins joined at the last minute after hearing about the event from local news sources. Discovering: Shuktara is the story of 18 boys and girls in Kolkata, India, who were given a second chance at life after being abandoned by their families because of their disability. Shuktara founder David Earp and humanitarian Alison Saracena flew 12,835 miles from the Shuktara home to support DDW and lead a panel discussion after the film. “I was deeply touched to see a room full of deaf and hearing professionals so genuinely supportive of what we are doing,” Earp said. “We don’t get that kind of support in Kolkata.” Lauren Bain, the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, pointed out that the event ticket price of $25 is equal to one month’s rent for a family living in the slums of Kolkata. “The money raised tonight will stretch for Continued on page 5 August 2009 1
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We Want to Hear From You!
Language Development Program in the Works
Are you planning to take a trip somewhere before summer’s out? Or are you relaxing at home? Either way, send DDW a postcard! Tell us what interesting sights you’ve seen, or about the unique people you’ve met. Next time we travel somewhere, we’ll send you one too! Our address is: Discovering Deaf Worlds PO Box 10063 Rochester NY 14610
Front (L-R): Davin Searls, Alison Saracena and Christy Smith. Back: David Earp and Dave Justice
Discovering Deaf Worlds
After the recent benefit, Discovering Deaf Worlds’ directors Davin Searls, Christy Smith and Dave Justice had the opportunity to sit down with Shuktara founder, David Earp, and long-time supporter Alison Saracena to discuss the next step for a language development program with the boys and girls of Shuktara.
How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas How to Change the World, by David Bornstein, is a book that lives up to its name. It tells the stories of nine dedicated men and women from around the world who are addressing a wide variety of social and economic problems with innovative solutions. For example, Bornstein tells about Erzsébet Szekeres, a Hungarian woman who strove to provide her disabled son with a good life by bringing a human face to disability. She combated the outdated approach of the crowded, paternalistic state institutions by creating her own residential care facilities where disabled people were treated as equal. Now, Hungary’s laws have changed to reflect the progress she’s made. How to Change the World highlights the fast-growing trend of social entrepreneurship in America and around the globe. According to a recent Harris Poll, 97 percent of Generation Y are looking for work that allows them
“to have an impact on the world.” Read this book and you will be inspired by the great work that many people are doing worldwide. You’re bound to feel energized and ready to make a difference in the world – we know we do!
Donate to DDW! www. discoveringdeaf worlds.com
Coloroadans: Save the Date! Discovering Deaf Worlds will present at the University of Colorado at Boulder on Sept. 25. Keep checking our website at www.discoveringdeafworlds.com for more details!
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A Thank You to Our Sponsors The Next Generation of WebSites Take charge of your site Your website is your brand. It’s you, Your company, appearing in the landscape… Take charge today! www.sitebrandbuilder.com
Stay tuned! In the next issue, we will announce the first three members of DDW ’s Board of Directors!
Add your logo or banner to the DDW website!
Over 30,000 cumulative hits from 122 countries! Contact info@discoveringdeafworlds.com for more information, options, and pricing.
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Discovering Deaf Worlds
Ralph P. DeStephano
When you get to the top of a mountain, keep climbing. -Jack Kerouac
Shout -Outs! Shout Shout-Outs! -Outs! The wonderful staff of The Little Theatre and SPoT Coffee...Thank you for working with us to make DDW’s benefit so successful! Gene DiVincenzo & Kim Kelstone...Your incredible talent and humbleness continue to inspire us. We look forward to working with you for many years to come. Mary Giorgi and John McNamara...Thank you for your generous support – it keeps us moving forward. Newsletter services provided by T.S. Writing Services, LLC www.tswriting.com A Deaf-Owned Company
Release Party Continued from front page
DDW Directors Christy Smith and Davin Searls celebrate the evening’s success. years to come,” Bain added. The proceeds from this benefit will lay the foundation of DDW’s language development program with the Shuktara organization. “We can now move forward and put this plan into action as early as winter 2010,” said Searls. Rather than feeling pity for what these kids had been through, it was evident that the audience left
feeling inspired by how far the children have come, and how far they will go. An audience member commented, “Thank you for reminding us that we are actually already helping by attending this event. It’s easy to forget, and powerful to leave inspired!” DDW would like to thank everyone who attended, donated, spread the word, and/or volunteered. Everything we do is made possible by your support. Watch for updates on DDW ’s language development program with Shuktara. This program will serve as a model for future collaborative projects with deaf advocacy organizations in other countries such as Nepal and Cambodia. Photos courtesy of Erin H. Green.
Did You Know...? According to 2005 estimates by the World Health Organization, 278 million people worldwide are deaf, and approximately 80 percent (222.4 million) live in developing countries.
August 2009 5
Discovering: Discovering:Shuktara Shuktarahas hasbeen been accepted acceptedinto intothe thePort PortTownsend Townsend Film FilmFestival FestivalininWashington Washington state, state,which whichoccurs occurson onSept. Sept.242427. 27.For Formore moreinformation, information,check check www.ptfilmfest.com. www.ptfilmfest.com.
You can You canread readmore more about about the boys the boysand andgirls girlsof of Shuktara Shuktara at www.shuktara.net www.shuktara.net at . .
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