Volume 2 Issue 4 January 2009 www.discoveringdeafworlds.com
2008: A Groundbreaking Year for DDW
Filming the boys on the rooftop Happy New Year! Discovering Deaf Worlds (DDW) is on a roll, carrying huge momentum into 2009! We hope this past year has been as good to you as it has been to us. DDW has had numerous groundbreaking accomplishments this year, especially in the final quarter of 2008. We arrived back in America after a year of traveling abroad, presented to audiences of over 300 people, began the process of becoming an official non-profit organization, and we now hold the key to something very special – a new post office box! Perhaps our most exciting news,
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.
Working on language development at the Shuktara home however, is the near-completion of our first film, Discovering: Shuktara. Looking back at the 101 international organizations and schools we visited this past year, Shuktara stands out. A handful of true humanitarians in Kolkata, India, are filling a gap – and succeeding – against the backdrop of a heavily oppressive caste system, harsh poverty, and severely limited resources. Homeless children who are deaf or disabled are often overlooked by orphanages and non-governmental organizations and left to fend for themselves on the streets. Shuktara, however, has opened its doors to create a family of its own, foster individuality, and provide a newfound opportunity for language development and education. Discovering: Shuktara captures this inspiring story. For those who have been following our progress, here’s the latest scoop: the film is 90 percent finished with a locked storyline and English subtitles. After a few minor touch-ups on color correction and sound, we will soon create a master copy of this 30-minute documentary for the big screen! A rough cut of Discovering: Shuktara has already been submitted to five film festivals across the U.S. Within the next couple months, we should hear back about the status of our SHUKTARA, continued on page 6 January 2009 1
Spotlight on Alexia Prichard of her time with the boys and girls of Shuktara. “What Christy, DJ, and Davin are doing is so vital,” says Prichard. “Their spirit and passion make the perfect team for making the world more aware of what’s happening in international deaf communities.” Prichard is a self-taught producer and editor who has worked internationally in television broadcasting, online, and feature films for over ten years. Her credits/clients include: Lifetime’s Intimate Portrait, Oxygen Alexia Prichard, Editor and Co-Producer for Sports, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Discovering: Shuktara NASA, Paula Abdul, Sarah Susanka, AOL, and The Sierra Club, to name a few. A children’s television pilot Meet Alexia Prichard of Closed Loop Films – the Prichard edited, Ya-Ya’s Wonderful World, was an official blood, sweat and tears behind the making of Discov- selection to the 2008 Los Angeles and San Diego Interering: Shuktara. DDW and Closed Loop Films came national Children’s Film Festivals. Prichard’s passion is together this past Autumn through a mutual friend in for films that promote environmental and social justice. DDW is extremely grateful to have Prichard on Kolkata, India. Within minutes of our first conversation, we were enchanted with Alexia’s spunk, efficiency, board.For more information on Prichard’s work and social values, and most of all, enthusiasm when speaking Closed Loop Films, visit www.closedloopfilms.com.
One of Seven Forgotten Natural Wonders of the World
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. –Margaret Mead
Small Dog Horseshoe Falls by night from the Canadian side. Niagara Falls is the second largest waterfall in the world, next to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Split into two sections, Horseshoe Falls flow from the Canadian side and the American Falls flow from the U.S. side. On average, four to six million cubic feet of water flows over the ridge, making Niagara Falls the most powerful waterfall in North America. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niagara_Falls
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Electronics Always By Y our Side
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Local Law Firm Boosts DDW Into the Non-Profit World Nixon Peabody LLP, an international law firm, opened its Rochester, N.Y., offices in 1875. With some 120 attorneys, the firm is now one of the largest law offices in upstate New York, and serves as general or special counsel to more than 150 taxexempt organizations. Fortune Magazine named Nixon Peabody as one of the 100 best companies to work for in 2008, the third time the firm has appeared on this list. DDW is proud to have the pro bono support of Michael Cooney, partner and non-profit attorney with Nixon Peabody, who will guide us through the process of becoming an official tax-exempt, non-profit organization. Projected completion date: September 2009! For more information on Nixon Peabody, visit www.nixonpeabody.com.
Out with the Old, In with New Years Around the World! Japanese New Year
A dragon made from fabric at an annual Chinese New Year festival. (Photo by Davin Searls)
Chinese New Year • 2009 is the Year of the Ox. If you know an Ox (someone born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997) then “follow suit” and buy them red clothing! • In Northern China, people make dumplings to eat at midnight of the new year. In Southern China, it’s tradition to send pieces of sweet rice cake to friends and family. • Give a gift of food or sweets whenever you visit someone during the week-long New Year’s celebration, which takes place between Jan 21 and Feb. 20. Be sure to bring two gifts, because bringing only one signifies death! Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year
• It is customary to send postcards, or nengajo, that arrive on Jan. 1 for friends and relatives. • Many Japanese people drive to the coast or climb a mountain before sunrise on Jan. 1 in order to see the first sunrise of the new year. • Traditionally, Japanese children get small envelopes of money on New Year’s Day. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_new_ year
Thai New Year • Songkran, is celebrated April 13-15, the hottest time of the year. • People celebrate by throwing water on each other! What originated as a way to pay respect to people using a handful of water has transformed into an event where people walk around with buckets or water guns to soak friends and strangers! • Many people go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to give food to monks and pray. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year
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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
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Over 24,000 cumulative hits from 108 countries! Contact info@discoveringdeafworlds.com for more information, options, and pricing.
Shout -Outs! Shout Shout-Outs! -Outs! Lisa Wyly…A hundred thanks for your ongoing support. Your contributions and timing have been the key ingredients in encouraging us to “go for it” when we have a grand idea. You’ve become a lifeline to DDW! Shuktara Trust (UK)… We appreciate your trust, support and generosity. Thank you for believing in DDW. We cannot wait to share Discovering: Shuktara with you all! This is the beginning of a lifelong relationship. Alexia and Molly… Too much rock for one hand! Our magicians at work. It has been so much fun watching this project develop with, and because of, you. Thank you for helping us fulfill a dream! Becky, Beth, and Jules… You are “make-it-happen” people! Thank you for taking the initiative to do something wonderful for DDW and the Shuktara homes of Kolkata, India. January 2009 5
DDW Documentary Fundraiser
WHERE: Taj Mahal III Restaurant 1075 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO 80027 WHEN: Thursday, February 5, 6:30pm COST: $50/person or $75/couple (Limited to just 40 people!) CONTACT: Becky Knotts at beckyknott@comcast.net or (303) 604-1700
When you purchase a ticket, your name will automatically be entered in a raffle to win a week’s stay in one of the lovely Breckenridge Sunset Condominiums (winter or summer, ski-in/ski-out, walk to town, sauna). Come be a part of Discovering: Shuktara! To view the official Evite, visit: http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?event=UOPERJECUNU HVCUZOPNA&inviteId=CXLUPIMIMBYQXWDCEESX&showPreview=false&x=181431737 SHUKTARA, continued from front page
acceptance, so think positive thoughts! Our goal is to submit this film to over 100 film festival showcases throughout the year. Discovering: Shuktara is the next step in building a lifelong relationship between Shuktara and DDW. In addition to spreading awareness, the film will help secure grants for our first official DDW: Creating Possibilities project. The intention is to help Shuktara provide long-term, ongoing deaf role models (both native and international) to work with boys and girls on advancing language development, selfexpression, and diversity of skills to give back to their community. Upon completion, Discovering: Shuktara will be available via our website. For more about the film, check www.discoveringdeafworlds.com/ discovering_shuktara.php.
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Discovering Deaf Worlds
Among Our Supporters With helping hands from the following list of sponsors and contributors, we have raised $6,976.25 of our $12,000 fundraising goal for Discovering: Shuktara.
Shuktara Trust (UK) Lisa Wyly Students of the Colo. Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Ruth and Jimmy Stern Justine Hinderliter Becky Knott Beth Kolanowski
Helen Smith Gary D. Osburn
Jules Berner Manhan Karsanbhai Ryan Commerson Roseann Diprosporo Brittney Stanek Matt and Peggy Teal Scott Kaplan
This film is made possible by of your support. If you also would like to donate to Discovering: Shuktara, please visit www.discoveringdeafworlds.com to make a secure online donation, or mail a check made payable to our new address at: Discovering Deaf Worlds P.O. Box 10063 Rochester, NY 14610