hear so the world may
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Starkey Hearing Foundation
A Celebration of Dreams
2014 Gala
JORDAN • ISRAEL/PALESTINE • HONDURAS • MEXICO • KENYA DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO • REPUBLIC OF CONGO • UNITED STATES • COLOMBIA • PERU
BECAUSE WE CARE Hearing is Our Concern so The world may hear so The world may understand that We are one human family that We know life ongoing by Sharing and caring as We engage global challenges by Volunteering, inspiring, enabling action, And celebrating the achievements Of caring individuals
We can change the world
Tell us your thoughts: facebook.com/starkeycares 3
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Inside We want to hear from you. Tell us your thoughts: facebook.com/ starkeycares 6700 Washington Avenue South Eden Prairie, MN 55344 www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org 12555 Jefferson Boulevard #150 Los Angeles, CA 90066
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Founders' Note Bill and Tani Austin build a better tomorrow.
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Reel A peek at stunning documentary films of hearing missions and more.
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Engage News and posts from friends worldwide.
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Field Notes Taking Listen Carefully to Heart.
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Noteworthy Operation Change.
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Firsthand Forest Whitaker.
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Sounds Good Can you identify this sound?
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Starkey Hearing Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) public tax-exempt charitable organization.
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Recent Missions 16
Jordan Uniting families through sound.
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Eastern DRC Building a strong foundation.
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Israel/Palestine Building trust.
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Republic of Congo Uniting people across borders.
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Honduras Influencing lives.
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DRC Inspiring hope.
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Durango Creating lasting connections.
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Minnesota Showing the way to success.
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Tlaxcala Encouraging potential.
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Colombia Making dreams possible.
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Zacatecas Focusing on the future.
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Iquitos and Piura Encouraging an adventurous spirit.
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Toluca Celebrating gratitude.
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Cajamarca Inspiring love.
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Kenya Giving guidance to motivated hearts.
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A Celebration of Dreams
World leaders, celebrities and athletes from around the globe flocked to St. Paul to celebrate the spirit of giving at the 2014 So the World May Hear Awards Gala.
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The Face of Hope The Parents Circle-Families Forum shows the world that through dialogue and the search for understanding, peace between Israel and Palestine is possible.
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Beyond the Red Carpet Celebrity and honoree support for the gift of hearing moves them to action. S TA R K E Y H E A R I N G F O U N DAT I O N
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BILL AND TANI AUSTIN build a better tomorrow.
Founders’ Note Starkey Hearing Foundation uses hearing as a vehicle to reflect caring and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities. We conduct hearing missions in the United States and around the globe in an effort to bring the gift of hearing to people in need. With your generous support, we fit more than 100,000 hearing aids annually to children and adults through our global hearing missions and through the daily efforts of our domestic Hear Now program. As a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, we have pledged to fit more than 1 million hearing aids to people in need this decade. We founded Starkey Hearing Foundation with the belief that every person should have the chance to hear, but this belief goes far deeper. We want to permanently improve the quality of life for people in need struggling with hearing loss by connecting them with the world. The world around them is a living, breathing community that is searching for the strength and knowledge to build a better tomorrow. We believe that allowing someone to be unnecessarily diminished lessens the potential of the community and our world. Together, we nurture spirits through caring and give many the opportunity to realize their humanity. As an organization, we know that truly sustainable change will not be accomplished without the dedicated support of donors, partners and friends like you. Through your generosity, we empower people around the world to reach their true heights, and as a result, we are building strong, sustainable, community-based systems of hearing health care that will impact and transform lives for generations to come. By contributing to the Foundation, you have become a part of our team and are helping to build a better tomorrow for people in need worldwide. On behalf of Starkey Hearing Foundation and the thousands of lives that will be forever changed because you care, we offer our heartfelt gratitude. So the world may hear,
Bill & Tani Austin 4
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Short documentary films await you at youtube.com/StarkeyHearingFndn. Check them out and let us know what you think.
Reel We round up our latest storytelling.
Giving Hope to Uganda Uganda has suffered from brutal conflicts for nearly two decades, with many of these conflicts fought by children forced into the violence. In this short film, you’ll join actor Forest Whitaker as he travels with the team to visit Hope North and learn about a man who is making a difference for former child soldiers through music and the gift of hearing.
“Life is bigger. Life is more. And I think that’s one of the things that happens from the work that they’re doing. Life becomes more.” FOREST WHITAKER
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A Princely Partnership This time we travel to the small, landlocked African country of Lesotho. Watch as Starkey Hearing Foundation builds a powerful partnership with Sentebale, a charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso to help the nation’s most vulnerable children.
So Malawi May Hear Follow us to Malawi where the team moves a village elder to dance after reconnecting her to the world of sound and music. Watch as we work closely with our local team in Malawi to ensure the gift of hearing is sustainable and continually improving each patient’s quality of life.
“Seeing someone’s eyes light up and seeing that smile. It’s an amazing feeling.”
“It’s not just about giving someone the gift of hearing; it’s also about demonstrating caring to them.”
PRINCE SEEISO
GREG SECKER Knowledge to Action
Letters and posts from you – in the mail and on the web.
Engage Social media has been buzzing with Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Follow the conversation @starkeycares
@JessicaESanchez: @starkeycares just announced that @HillaryClinton and @ThisIsRobThomas have been added to gala lineup! Can’t wait to meet them!
@malloryweggeman: Getting ready for the first night of what will be an amazing weekend here with the @starkeycares for the #starkeygala pre-parties!
@TheSharkDaymond: Hanging with the tallest man I know! @starkeycares @officalmutombo #starkeygala
@ShannonElizb: @JohnLegend brought the house down at the #starkeygala. His voice is unparalleled!
@DaveWinfieldHOF: Moments later I’m joined by my man @keithdavid. We’re both going to @starkeycares gala this weekend #hearingmissions
@KatieMillerMN: “God weeps and then he sees @starkeycares” – Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking on the great things Starkey does
Dear Hear Now, I want to let you know how very, very much I am enjoying my hearing aids. I actually didn’t realize what a large part of my life was passing me by until I began hearing all the wonderful little sounds. Conversations are a true pleasure since I can hear. I had considered having “WHAT?” tattooed on my forehead. That’s no longer necessary. Some of the sounds I have unknowingly missed for years are: birds chirping happily to their mates or angrily in defense of their territory; the doorbell – my dog is no longer on 24 hour alert; the delightful, musical chimes of my clock as it announces the hours; the microwave beeping to tell me my food is ready; and the ringer on my telephone has been turned down so it no longer causes the walls to vibrate. I hear the water filling the icemaker and the ice cubes falling into the tray. I know when the washing machine is washing or spinning. When I’m outside, I hear the traffic and my neighbor’s little dog barking. So now I’m playing everything by ear.
@QuintonAaron: I just met Bishop Desmond Tutu and shook hands with @HillaryClinton at @starkeycares
Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. I am truly pleased and happy. Mrs. Doreene McCoy P.S. I’m 91 and truly enjoying being able to HEAR.
@ForestWhitaker: Honored to receive the @starkeycares award from @Sister_Rosemary. An inspiration for her love, care & tremendous work.
@sergeibaka9: Happy to see that the @starkeycares Gala was a huge success! Wish I was there. Congrats @StarkeyHearCEO and team, hope I can join next year.
“Excited to be performing at @starkeycares #starkeygala this weekend! Check out their inspiring work.” Tweeted by @ThisIsRobThomas
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Our goal. The goal is clear: Deliver more than 1,000,000 hearing aids this decade. The reason is obvious: Help people in need, in turn transforming families and communities. The method is effective: Reach out to hearingimpaired children and adults around the globe — many living in isolation, at home and in developing countries. The results are life changing.
Learn more and join the movement Tell us how you can help: facebook.com/starkeycares Or donate now by visiting:
https://action.starkeyhearingfoundation.org
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Giving the Gift of Hearing: Globally Bill Austin began with the desire to make a difference 50 years ago. He followed up with action. To date, Starkey Hearing Foundation has given more than 1 million hearing aids to people in need throughout the world. We’re building a global network of care — and you can help.
1 + 1 = 2 = million hearing aids already provided
million hearing aids this decade
million hearing aids
Countless lives changed as we impact not just the person in need but also their family and community with the gift of hearing.
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Minnesota students teach the world to Listen Carefully.
Field Notes
Taking Listen Carefully to Heart Minnesota students put their creativity to good use to spread the word about the importance of hearing protection. After a month of creative blood, sweat and tears and two more weeks of collecting votes across social media, Minnetonka middle and high school students were anxious to find out who had been voted the most successful at teaching their peers to Listen Carefully. Their high energy filled the school cafeteria, as they watched our Director of Growth Strategies Yuri Mamchur bring special guest Minnesota Vikings player Greg Jennings to the stage to present the awards. The first annual Listen Carefully Video Contest closed out the 2013/2014 school year on a high note. The aim of the Listen Carefully campaign is to raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss and prevent a national hearing loss epidemic. One in 5 Americans has hearing loss, with 1 in 8 children and teens experiencing permanent hearing loss due to high-volume sounds. Teen hearing loss has increased 30 percent in the last decade alone. Ear buds, loud concerts and boisterous crowds are just some of the culprits in the rise of hearing damage. To reverse this alarming trend, we decided to place preventative action directly in the hands of today’s youth. The Listen Carefully Video Contest focused on impacting behavioral change through education and awareness. Students from the Minnetonka, Minnesota school district 10
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were encouraged to submit their own 15-30 second videos to communicate the importance of preventing noise-induced hearing loss, which made them owners of this important message. The contest showcased the students’ ability to spread the word about noise-induced hearing loss across the globe, and votes poured in from as far away as Brazil, Italy and South Korea. Dedicated to giving the gift of hearing and creating a better future for today’s youth, Jennings excused himself from practice to come talk to the students, present the awards, and reiterate the importance of turning down the volume and protecting their hearing. Jennings spoke about his own experience using hearing protection on the field and emphasized that noise-induced hearing loss is irreversible but fully preventable. Jennings brought enthusiasm, inspiration and a clear message to the nearly 500 Minnetonka students attending the ceremony. At one point, the Vikings star was buried in a crowd of sixth and seventh graders, all hoping to snap a selfie with him. In addition to prizes and cool social media profile photos, Jennings left students with a clear and compelling message to take action to protect their hearing. After the awards ceremony, when asked about whether his thoughts changed as a result of the contest, first-place
winner Nathan Schneider replied, “It’s a bigger problem than what everyone supposedly says. It affects anyone of any age and usually most of it is not natural — from loud music, sounds, accidents.” Runner-up Cameron Anundson’s inspiration for his entry came from having to mow the lawn every Saturday. His mother, Maria, experienced firsthand the impact of the contest on her son’s behaviors when one Saturday she decided to mow the lawn herself. Just after she started, 13-year-old Cameron interrupted her — hurrying outside, he offered her hearing protection that he had purchased on his own. Speaking about the experience, Cameron shared, “It’s definitely made me a lot more aware of which activities cause hearing loss.”
Nearly 10,000 students and their families have viewed the contest’s videos. The success of the video contest has prompted Listen Carefully to expand the event on a national scale during the next academic year. Deanne Hope, assistant principal at Minnetonka Middle School West, predicts the district will experience even greater involvement and a more widespread impact next year. Prevention starts with action, no matter how small, and there can be no more powerful advocate for change than young people themselves. To watch the finalists’ videos and learn more, visit: www.listencarefully.org.
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Starkey Hearing Foundation and a world-changing movement.
Noteworthy
Operation Change Millions hit the road with Starkey Hearing Foundation to witness the impact of the gift of hearing through the docuseries “Operation Change.” Traveling the world to give the gift of hearing to people in need has brought Starkey Hearing Foundation’s team faceto-face with some of the greatest atrocities and challenges of our time — warzones, famine, extreme poverty, lack of sanitation infrastructure, no access to clean water, and the list goes on. Initially, the magnitude of these issues was overwhelming, but Bill Austin’s mindset quickly shifted to that of opportunity. While delivering the gift of hearing, the team has met incredible organizations that provide care to their communities and has experienced breathtaking stories of hope and possibility. Determined, Austin set out to harness the power of these organizations and stories to begin a global movement, and “Operation Change” was born. Austin appointed Starkey Hearing Technologies Senior Director of Global Media and Philanthropy Steven Sawalich to lead the charge. Drawing on his experience as a filmmaker, Sawalich led a crew of 60, with more than 70 production cases of equipment weighing 2,000 pounds, to South Africa, India, Colombia, and more. In each location, Bill and Tani Austin, Sawalich, volunteers and celebrity partners joined together to complete a sustainable project that enhanced the community and celebrated the human spirit along the way. While each project was underway, 12
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Starkey Hearing Foundation worked to restore hearing to hundreds of people in need, fitting patients and changing lives while the cameras were on hand to capture the unforgettable moments. This summer, Austin’s vision came to fruition when “Operation Change” premiered on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and took viewers on an incredible adventure that prominently featured the work of the Foundation around the world. Along the way, former President Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Elton John, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Donna Karan, among many others, joined the team to give back to different regions and work with local communities. From the West Bank of Israel/Palestine to the wilds of Papua New Guinea, this docuseries revealed the untold stories of some of the world’s seemingly insurmountable challenges, as well as its greatest heroes, all while showcasing the life-changing impact of the gift of hearing. Watch all 10 episodes of “Operation Change” and explore interactive content about the team, locations and other nonprofit organizations at www.operationchange.com.
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Recent Missions
Minnesota Israel/Palestine
Mexico Honduras Colombia Peru
Republic of Congo Democratic Republic of Congo
Jordan
Kenya
We have delivered the gift of hearing to more than
100 countries. 50%
of hearing loss is preventable.
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20%
Approximately
of people with hearing loss in developing countries need hearing aids.
Foster understanding.
understanding
noun \ n-d r-'stan-ding\ e
e'
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Mission: amman
The Goal Build strong bonds.
Jordan Big smiles on our first hearing mission in Jordan. OUR FIRST HEARING MISSION TO JORDAN was met with some apprehension from the patients. However, the team worked quickly to prove our good intentions and dedication, and the people we fit were soon smiling with excitement for the gift of hearing. The team built a special bond with one family who had lost everything. A father and his three children had fled Syria for Jordan to save their lives, but not before a bomb blew up their home and stole their hearing. Now living safely in Jordan, the family did not know it was possible to get back that vital connection they had lost. Relief and tears of joy rippled through them as they came to life again in the world of sound. In addition to giving the gift of hearing, the team enjoyed a rare day off, which they spent visiting the historical and archaeological city of Petra. They explored the intricate carvings, took in the beautiful rose-colored stone and marveled at the ingenuity of mankind.
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What We Did United families through sound.
special thanks: Ziad Asali, American Task Force on Palestine, the Hilliard Family, Starkey Canada, Hearing Aid Center Jordan
April 2014
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The Goal
Mission: ramallah
Open up channels of communication.
tulkarem hebron
Israel/ Palestine The team works to foster understanding in the West Bank. PARTNERING WITH Physicians for Human Rights, Israel’s Sheba Medical Center and the American Task Force on Palestine, the team worked closely with local volunteers in the West Bank and witnessed acts of kindness that showed the connecting power of hearing. Our dedicated group of local volunteers included some inspiring Israeli hospital workers. We worked with the nurses to provide the gift of hearing to Palestinians in need, knowing that once we left, these same nurses would make sure their patients stayed connected to the world of sound, opening up channels of communication and trust.
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special thanks: Mike and Juliet Wheeler, the Hilli ard Family, Ziad Asali, American Task Force on Palestine, Physicians for Human Rights
What We Did Built trust.
special thanks: Sheba Medical Center, United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Baha’a aden Eftaiha, Starkey Canada
April 2014
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Mission:
The Goal
Create opportunity.
la ceiba san pedro sula tegucigalpa
Honduras Knowles Electronics and the team spread caring across Honduras. JOINED BY LONGTIME SPONSOR Knowles Electronics, the team returned to Honduras for some unexpected opportunities to reflect caring to the people of this warmhearted country. In Tegucigalpa, volunteers were registering a young man with a severe skin condition when Bill Austin spotted him. Austin began asking questions about his health issues. The young man’s condition required medication that his family could not afford, so Austin sent a member of the team to a pharmacy to purchase all the medication he needed. The young man left with the gift of hearing and the ability to regain his health. In San Pedro Sula, the gift of hearing received some assistance from one of our Hearing Angels in the U.S., Jonathan Severn. While Severn did not join us on this mission, he had informed his friends David and Lydia Martinez that we would be in Honduras. This inspiring couple runs Orphanage Emmanuel, caring for children in need. Some of the children they care for struggle with hearing loss, so David and Lydia drove three hours to bring these children to our hearing mission, where we made sure each one left with the gift of hearing.
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What We Did Influenced lives.
June 2014
special thanks: Knowles Electronics, Jim Davenport, Telethon Honduras, Red Cross La Ceiba, Operation Honduras, Gyl Kasewurm, Jonathan Severn
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Mission: durango
June 2014
Durango The team brings new energy to Mexico. AN ALL-AGES GROUP OF ENTHUSIASTIC and skilled volunteers joined us in Mexico to bring hope, new friendship and the gift of hearing. After going through some initial training, this team of volunteers worked with us to fit children and adults in need with new hearing aids. Dedicated sponsor Jim Kilkowski with the Stanley E. Hanson Foundation brought along his children, James and Elena, to experience the joy and fulfillment of giving back. Both James and Elena were hooked with their first “ba ba ba.� The siblings spent the remainder of the hearing mission helping children like them experience and explore the world of sound and build new and lasting connections and friendships.
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special thanks: Jim, James and Elena Kilkowski, Stanley E. Hanson Foundation
June 2014
Mission:
Tlaxcala The team doles out hope to young and old in Mexico. tlaxcala
WORKING SIDE BY SIDE with the Starkey Mexico team, Bill Austin and the hearing mission team gave each hearing aid recipient the time and attention needed to ensure they benefit from the gift of hearing. The lively crowd was endlessly entertained by each new person experiencing sound for the first time, as hopeful patients, young and old, awaited their opportunity to receive the gift of hearing as well.
special thanks: Starkey Mexico, Amy Jacobshon, Aaron Allon, Stephanie Rogers, Stacy Dubois
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Mission: zacatecas
June 2014
Zacatecas The Lions Club lends a hand in Zacatecas. AS THE AUDITORIUM FILLED with excited patients, the Lions Club of Zacatecas was on hand to help us keep everyone organized and focused on the gift of hearing. The team was thrilled to work side by side with such enthusiastic volunteers, who helped ensure each patient left with a strong connection to the world of sound.
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special thanks: Club de Leones Zacatecas
August 2014
Mission:
Toluca The team partners with Spectrum Brands to change lives. toluca
DEDICATED PARTNER SPECTRUM BRANDS joined the team for a four-day hearing mission in Toluca. Spectrum Brands CEO Dave Lumley brought along his family to share the joy and gratitude that comes from helping others.
special thanks: Cole and Britt Aldrich, Spectrum Brands, Dave Lumley, Amy Jacobshon, Aaron Allon, Stephanie Rogers, Stacy DuBois
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The Goal
Mission:
Open up the world.
nairobi kibera
Kenya NHL superstar David Backes joins the team. FAR FROM ICE, PUCKS AND SKATES, NHL superstar David Backes and his wife Kelly traveled with the team to Nairobi and one of the largest slums in Africa, Kibera. David and Kelly first became interested in the work of the Foundation when Kelly experienced sudden sensorineural hearing loss and became a Starkey hearing aid wearer. Understanding the challenges presented by hearing loss, the couple felt compelled to offer their support. Working under the guidance of Bill Austin, David and Kelly witnessed the impact of the gift of hearing in the African nation. Reflecting on this experience while in Nairobi, David said, “These people are vibrant, and they want to do something — that’s great! Their hearing loss, whether it’s been through malaria medication or any other medication or something at birth. It’s incredible to be able to give them a chance to be very productive and learn and communicate and get connected back in with society — and for me that’s a huge part of what we’re doing here.”
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What We Did Gave guidance to motivated hearts.
special thanks: David and Kelly Backes, Operation Eardrop
June 2014
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Mission: goma
Eastern DRC The team partners with the Eastern Congo Initiative. FOR OUR FIRST HEARING MISSION IN GOMA, we needed a powerful partnership that would help us mobilize our efforts on the ground. We discovered what we needed in founder Ben Affleck and co-founder Whitney William’s Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI). With the help of ECI, we were able to build an effective foundation for our sustainable, community-based hearing health care model and reach out to local organizations and deaf schools that would otherwise not have access to hearing care. The students we met were eager to have consistent access to the world of sound, and the hearing mission team made sure that each student was given the gift of hearing.
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The Goal
Give hope for a better future.
What We Did Built a strong foundation.
special thanks: Eastern Congo Initiative, williamsworks, Whitney Williams, HEAL Africa Hospital
July 2014
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Mission: brazzaville
Republic of Congo NBA player helps give the gift of hearing. IN THE REPUBLIC of Congo, the team partnered with the Brazzaville Lions Club and shared the gift of hearing. NBA star Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder joined the team on our first hearing mission in this country. In Brazzaville, the team was greeted by lines of anxious and excited patients who could not wait to connect to the world around them through the gift of hearing. Ibaka formed a bond with Bill Austin, sticking by him to form relationships with each patient and offer strong words of encouragement.
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The Goal
Share the gift of hearing.
What We Did United people across borders.
July 2014
special thanks: NBA Cares, Serge Ibaka, ESPN, Brazzaville Lions Club, Pros for Africa
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Mission: kinshasa
DRC NBA stars join us for our first hearing mission in the DRC. FORMER NBA STAR DIKEMBE MUTOMBO joined the team as we partnered with the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation and NBA Cares on our first hearing mission in Kinshasa. Bismack Biyombo of the Charlotte Hornets also joined us to discuss plans for a hearing mission in Lubumbashi in the far south of the DRC next year. Many of the patients in the DRC had not known it was possible to treat their hearing loss; they had accepted their retreat into silence. Working at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, which was built by the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, the team gave these patients the hope and opportunity that had once been beyond their imagination.
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The Goal
Create unimaginable opportunities.
What We Did Inspired hope.
special thanks: Dikembe Mutombo, Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, NBA Cares, Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, Bismack Biyombo
July 2014
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The Goal
Mission:
Inspire dreams.
eden prairie
Minnesota Sports heroes join the team for a MLB All-Star Game hearing mission. A STAR-STUDDED HEARING MISSION filled with sports heroes led the way to Gala weekend! At our headquarters in Eden Prairie, we partnered with Major League Baseball for a homegrown event associated with the MLB All-Star Game. We welcomed patients from Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Club and as far away as California. MLB greats Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield, Jack Morris, Lou Brock, Scott Erickson, Reggie Sanders, Eric Davis and Jackie Autry stopped by to give patients encouragement and show their support for the gift of hearing. One young boy stole all the hearts in the room. Fouryear-old Moise was adopted from the Democratic Republic of Congo when he was 1. As he was adjusting to his new life in Minnesota, his family noticed that he seemed to have trouble understanding and responding to people. They thought he was struggling to learn English, but this bright boy was actually struggling with hearing loss. During the hearing mission, Moise received new hearing aids, giving him a deeper connection to the world. Once he was fit, he could not wait to show the players his muscles while he climbed all over mascots Chicago Cubs’ Clark the Cub and Colorado Rockies’ Dinger.
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special thanks: Major League Baseball, Minnesota Twins,
Paul and Destini Molitor, Reggie Sanders, Lisa Guerrero, Scott Erickson, Dave Winfield, Lou Brock, Jeffrey Hammonds, Eric Davis
What We Did Showed the way to success.
special thanks: Mallory Weggeman, Jackie Autry, Jack Morris,
July 2014
Special Olympics Minnesota, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Delta Zeta, Jane Bowman, Twins Community Fund, Pohlad Family Foundation
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Mission: bogota
The Goal
Build friendships.
Colombia The team reunites with old friends in Bogota. EXCITED TO BE BACK IN COLOMBIA, the team found themselves surrounded by culture and art. The patients even expressed their joy and gratitude with their inspiring creativity. An entire dance team of young people struggling with hearing loss came to the hearing mission. Once we fit them all with hearing aids, they performed, many of them fully experiencing the music they dance to for the first time. Yuli, a young woman Bill fit during our 2012 hearing mission, which was featured on an episode of “Operation Change,� returned to visit with the team and update us on her progress. Bill Austin also fit her with a new set of hearing aids. A budding painter, Yuli will benefit from the gift of hearing when she starts art school this year.
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What We Did Made dreams possible.
August 2014
special thanks: Michelle Christie, No Limits, Starkey Colombia, Jeff Larson
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Mission: iquitos piura
The Goal
Make the gift of hearing go further.
Iquitos and Piura The team heads deep into the Amazon to change lives. ADVENTURE IS OFTEN PART OF GIVING people the gift of hearing. In Peru, this meant traveling to the Amazon River Basin to reach Iquitos. We had a wonderful hearing mission with great support from the local Rotary. Audigy, our sponsor for Iquitos and Piura, were a fantastic group. After helping more than 1,000 patients in Iquitos, we traveled south on the Amazon River to provide follow-up care for the villagers of Tamshiyacu. The entire village came out to meet us, accompanied by their relatives needing hearing care. After the warm welcome, we got to work setting up registration, fitting, counseling and AfterCare stations. By the end of the day we had fit 48 new patients in addition to providing the AfterCare as planned. Next we traveled north on the Amazon and then east as the river flowed toward Brazil. Finally, we arrived to a warm welcome by the mayor of Indiana, another village off the Amazon. The mayor allowed us to use the town hall for AfterCare patients. We then traveled west on the Amazon to return for our departure by plane to our next hearing mission site, Piura, the third largest city in Peru. In Piura, we once again had the support of the local Rotary, and by working together with the Audigy team, we saw more than 2,300 in need of hearing help.
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What We Did
Encouraged an adventurous spirit.
special thanks to our sponsor the Audigy Group: Teri Huber, Dana Ryan, Katy Kelly, KC Grzelka, Dani Johnson, Tami Gary, Garret Jackson, Patty Groman, Jennifer Flyod, Meghan Kelly
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Mission: cajamarca
The Goal
Build relationships for a lifetime.
Cajamarca Romance was in the air in Peru with our first proposal. FROM THE AMAZON JUNGLE to the desert coast of Peru, on to the high Andes where a new mission sponsor team, including Mark and Will Smith — SHA members, Andrew Roth and Doug and Beth McMillin — Audibel, Marco Breton and Isabelle Sauve, and Ellen Haggerty — Chair, Rotarians for Hearing, joined us in Cajamarca. The local Rotarians welcomed us with cheers at the airport. A hot mineral spring flowed through the compound where we stayed and provided rejuvenation for each new day. On our arrival, we were greeted with a military band and ethnic dances, including a champion dancing horse. The University of Cajamarca donated the site for our work, a huge auditorium with more than adequate capacity. The better hearing smiles warmed our spirits, and we shared stories of the people who traveled for so many hours to share life again through hearing. After finishing our hearing mission, our sponsors took a day trip to explore the landscape and ancient architecture of Machu Picchu. This breathtaking backdrop created the perfect moment for sponsor Marco Breton to get down on one knee and propose to his girlfriend Isabelle, and she said, “Yes!” This marked the first hearing mission proposal, and we hope for many more.
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What We Did Inspired love.
August 2014
special thanks to sponsors Marco Breton & Isabelle Sauve of Breton Steel
Corp., Andrew Roth, Doug & Beth McMillin of Audibel, Mark & Will Smith of SHA, Caryn & Julia Sullivan and Ellen Haggerty, Chair of Rotarians for Hearing
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A CELEBRATION OF DREAMS 42
World leaders, celebrities and athletes from around the globe flocked to St. Paul to celebrate the spirit of giving at the 2014 So the World May Hear Awards Gala. Unprecedented and inspired generosity flowed through the hearts and minds of all who attended this moving and action-packed three-day extravaganza.
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VIEW FROM THE RED CARPET
SO THE WORLD MAY HEAR AWARDS GALA Sunday, July 20 Saint Paul RiverCentre St. Paul, Minnesota
As the buzz from the midafternoon silent auction began to die down, more than 1,600 people filled the Saint Paul RiverCentre ready to participate in the magic of the evening and raise a record-breaking $8.7 million to help give the gift of hearing to people in need around the globe. On hand to help inspire were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; performers Rob Thomas, John Legend, Sammy Hagar and Jessica Sanchez; actors Shannon Elizabeth, Verne Troyer and Lou Ferrigno; and athletes Larry Fitzgerald, Derrick Coleman, Greg Jennings, Adrian Peterson and Dikembe Mutombo, among others. Secretary Clinton spoke about the importance and impact of the work of the Foundation and Bill and Tani Austin before honoring the world-changing efforts of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Honorees Forest Whitaker, who accepted an award for his work within conflict regions; Sandi Young, who was recognized for her far-reaching humanitarian efforts; Prince Seeiso, who was recognized for his dedication to improving the lives of at-risk youth in Lesotho; and Abraham Elhanan and Mazen Faraj, who accepted an award on behalf of the Parents Circle-Families Forum for its peace-building work in Israel/Palestine, all shared powerful words emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding. Adding to the inspiration, Super Bowl champion Derrick Coleman of the Seattle Seahawks spoke about his personal experience with hearing loss, praising Bill Austin for helping people live their dreams around the world.
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collective impact sponsor:
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event sponsor:
entertainment sponsor:
HONOREE
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU A witness to some of the greatest modern-day atrocities — apartheid, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, gross human rights violations — Archbishop Desmond Tutu believes in humanity’s capacity for goodness above all else. He once said, “There’s no question about the reality of evil, of injustice, of suffering, but at the center of this existence is a heart beating with love.” He rose to prominence as a clear, strong voice advocating for the most effective and peaceful means to end apartheid. In 1984, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions. Today, Archbishop Tutu stands alongside modern history’s greatest voices for human rights and change — Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa. His words echo far beyond the borders of South Africa and the specific causes for which he advocates. He has become a powerful moral conscience, working to guide us toward our innate goodness and a more peaceful tomorrow.
dinner sponsor:
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HONOREE
FOREST WHITAKER Forest Whitaker’s dedication to facilitating peace and understanding found roots in his work on the film “The Last King of Scotland,” for which he won an Academy Award for his portrayal of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Throughout filming, he immersed himself in the history and culture of Uganda, meeting changemakers, NGO workers and victims still trying to unravel the conflict and turmoil. His already highly developed social awareness grew broader and deeper, compelling him to find ways to raise the consciousness of others. In 2011, he was designated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, working toward global peace building through nonviolence education, research, training and community building. He began a collaboration with the Office of Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict as an advocate for children affected by war, and he was designated as a UNESCO Special Envoy. He founded the Whitaker Institute for Peace and Development, focusing on giving voice to young men and women raised in conflict-affected areas around the world and, in doing so, helping to quiet their internal battles and giving them hope for a better future.
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HONOREE
THE PARENTS CIRCLEFAMILIES FORUM Divided by a wall and filled with the anguish that comes from unimaginable loss, the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is one of the great tragedies of our time. However, a rare group of more than 600 families are doing everything in their power to cause a shift in consciousness and end the violence. The Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Palestinian-Israeli organization of families who have all lost a close family member as a result of the conflict. Through their programs, these families meet and exchange stories of loss, share lives and walk in one another’s shoes. They receive and express empathy and compassion, and they chose the path of reconciliation. PCFF leaders Israelis Abraham Elhanan and Ayelet Harel and Palestinians Bassam Aramin and Mazen Faraj were honored. Elhanan and Faraj accepted the award on behalf of PCFF.
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HONOREE
PRINCE SEEISO Granted a birthright that demanded the heart and soul of a leader, His Majesty Prince Seeiso Bereng Seeiso forged a path to build a brighter future for his people. He has worked with the United Nations Development Programme, dealing with good governance and leadership; UNICEF on child welfare issues; “Send a Cow” Lesotho, providing training, livestock, seeds and ongoing support to people in need; and Lesotho Planned Parenthood Association on sexual and reproductive health issues. In 2004, another young prince with a passion for service paid him a visit, and Prince Seeiso found his focus. Prince Harry of Wales came to Lesotho looking for insight into the issues the nation faced. Prince Seeiso showed him, and Sentebale was born. Sentebale’s mission is to help the most vulnerable children in Lesotho get the support they need to lead healthy and productive lives. The organization seeks to have a direct impact on the isolation children with HIV often experience. Its Mamohato Programme offers children and young people with HIV exceptional support and real hope for the future through camps and activities that help to improve the physical and emotional well-being. The activities offered help to increase life expectancy and reduce the spread of HIV through education and child-tochild communication. Prince Seeiso’s passion for and dedication to giving the children of Lesotho a chance for a better future is evident in everything he does.
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AFTER PARTY Sunday, July 20 Saint Paul RiverCentre St. Paul, MN
After raising millions for the gift of hearing, supporters danced the night away at the Gala After Party. The Robert Lee Kobb Band rocked the house as supporters celebrated a successful weekend that will change thousands of lives around the world.
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HONOREE
SANDI YOUNG Sandi Young’s life has been driven by her desire to have an effect on the people around her. At the height of her professional success, she decided to take a step back and refocus her energy and insights from the corporate world to the world of helping others. Utilizing her generous heart and strategic business mind, Young actively supports a number of organizations that tackle challenges associated with international child trafficking, health care, the arts and education, and clean water. As a dedicated supporter of Starkey Hearing Foundation, Young has traveled deep into the field to offer her help firsthand to thousands with hearing loss. She has joined us in Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Mexico, New Orleans, India, the Philippines, Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya. She has helped open up the world of sound and changed the lives of thousands the world over in her deeply personal way.
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FRIDAY NIGHT PARTY Friday, July 18 Foundation Appreciation Party Eden Prairie, MN
Celebrating the work of the Foundation around the world, supporters gathered at Bill and Tani Austin’s home to celebrate the spirit of giving. Every year, this evening pays tribute to all who support the gift of hearing.
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SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY Saturday, July 19 Sponsor Party Eden Prairie, MN
Sponsors and celebrities laughed, danced and celebrated the spirit of generosity at the home of Bill and Tani Austin at a party in their honor. Among the hundreds in attendance were Forest Whitaker, Verne Troyer, Chris and Kyle Massey, Jessica Sanchez, Dikembe Mutombo, Larry Fitzgerald, Doug Pitt and Lou Ferrigno.
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TEE OFF FOR BETTER HEARING Friday, July 18 The Wilds Golf Club Event Prior Lake, MN
Gala weekend officially begins when sponsors and celebrities tee off at the annual golf event. Hoping for a little luck on the 18-hole course, Chris Massey, Jack Brewer, Patrick Warburton, Chris Doleman and many more pulled out their clubs, hoping to win a prize.
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FOSTERING PARTNERSHIPS Saturday, July 19 Founders’ Circle Luncheon Eden Prairie, MN
Partners, sponsors and celebrities gathered on Saturday morning to mingle and learn about the progress the Foundation has made over the last year. With a strong emphasis on developing community-based systems of hearing health care, Tani Austin guided all in attendance through both empirical and anecdotal evidence of an incredibly successful year.
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THANK YOU! For making our 14th Gala so special For the work of our 2014 Honorees For making the world a better place For going beyond the boundaries For empowering others For showing love For sharing For caring For giving For creating an atmosphere of kindness That leads to more good.
We thank you all for supporting Starkey Hearing Foundation.
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THE FACE OF HOPE
The Parents Circle-Families Forum shows the world that through dialogue and the search for understanding, peace between Israel and Palestine is possible. It was timely, but it was not — could not have been — planned that way. As Israeli Abraham Elhanan and Palestinian Mazen Faraj purposefully made their way to the stage at the 2014 So the World May Hear Awards Gala, their beloved homeland, Israel/Palestine, was once again in the grip of a terrifying and violent conflict that would result in the loss of thousands of lives. As much as they wished it was not necessary, they knew that what they were going to share with the more than 1,600 people in the audience was vital and possibly the single most important message of the evening. “When a child is dead, the world dies with it. It doesn’t matter if the child is a Jew or a Muslim or a Christian. A child is a child,” said Elhanan, moving the crowd to its feet. Both Elhanan and Faraj, along with the two other absent honorees — Ayelet Harel and Bassam Aramin, who stayed in Israel/Palestine to help during this difficult time — came to this understanding the hardest way possible. Elhanan lost his 14-year-old daughter to a suicide bomber in 1997. The Israeli army killed Faraj’s father while he was working in Jerusalem in 2002. Harel lost her brother, an Israeli soldier, in 1982 when he was killed in a Palestinian refugee camp. Aramin’s 10-year-old daughter was shot and killed by an Israeli border patrol policeman in 2007. Seeking refuge from the inconsolable and answers to the senseless, they all eventually found their way to Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF), a joint Palestinian-Israeli organization of over 600 families, all of whom have lost a close family member as a result of the prolonged conflict. There, side-by-side, they shared their stories, their grief and their anger, and together, 62
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they found a way to peace. In the process, they gained a deep understanding of the importance of dialogue in reconciliation. Now leaders of the PCFF, Elhanan, Aramin, Mazen and Harel have found a new purpose for their lives. They have dedicated themselves to the role of dialogue and reconciliation in achieving peace between Israel and Palestine. They reach out to more than 25,000 students annually to promote understanding between young Israelis and Palestinians. They hold meetings in which all age groups, genders and religions from each side of the conflict can come together to express themselves, making dialogue the cornerstone of reconciliation and conflict mitigation. As the images of another attack and the photos of those needlessly lost flicker across the news, Elhanan, Faraj, Harel and Aramin know all too well the long and painful road too many families now have ahead of them. They pray and hope that these people will find their way to PCFF, where the act of telling their own story and bearing witness to another’s has become sacred, bringing each person — each Palestinian and each Israeli — closer to reconciliation and peace. Standing before a tearful and riveted audience at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in Minnesota, Elhanan and Faraj carried their powerful message of the struggle to find reconciliation, telling a captivated audience, “We do not ask you to be pro-Israel. We do not ask you to be pro-Palestine. We demand that you are pro-peace.” To learn more about the PCFF, visit www.operationchange.com/episode/israelpalestine and explore the stories.
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BEYOND THE RED CARPET Celebrity and honoree support for the gift of hearing moves them to action.
WE ARE USED TO SEEING OUR HEROES WALKING THE RED CARPET at the Gala and other events, but for those who support Starkey Hearing Foundation, their commitment extends into the mission field.
FOREST WHITAKER Known for his captivating on-screen performances, Forest Whitaker’s most meaningful accomplishments actually take place far from the view of the public. He has dedicated his life to helping children raised in conflict regions overcome the barriers caused by their upbringing and has helped to bring the gift of hearing to them as well.
SERGE IBAKA His incredible skills on the basketball court are an inspiration to an entire nation, but his generosity off the court is what is really changing lives. Oklahoma City Thunder player Serge Ibaka joined us for our very first hearing mission in his hometown in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), giving everyone hope for a brighter future.
DIKEMBE MUTOMBO Dedicated to improving the lives of the people in his homeland, the DRC, Dikembe Mutombo uses his success won as a superstar NBA player to provide life-changing resources. Mutombo and his nonprofit, the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, helped to make our first hearing mission in the DRC possible. 64
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SISTER ROSEMARY NYIRUMBE One of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe inspires lives around the world. She devotes her time to helping women and girls impacted by conflict in northern Uganda find hope and opportunity. The mission team is always excited to see her smiling face when we work alongside her to deliver the gift of hearing.
DAVID BACKES On the ice, NHL player David Backes is a force to be reckoned with, but off the ice, he wears his generous heart on his sleeve. He is willing to help all in need, but he has a special place in his heart for the gift of hearing. He joined us in Kenya to reconnect families through the world of sound.
HER EXCELLENCY DR. JOYCE BANDA Former President of Malawi Dr. Joyce Banda is devoted to and inspired by the people of Malawi and has spent her life giving back to the great nation. She joined the team during our time there to help improve the quality of life for those struggling to overcome hearing loss.
PAUL MOLITOR Paul Molitor made history during his Hall of Fame baseball career, and he has created opportunities and changed lives around the world off of the field. He and his wife, Destini, joined us to give the gift of hearing in the Dominican Republic. S TA R K E Y H E A R I N G F O U N DAT I O N
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FOREST WHITAKER sets his sights on peace building.
Firsthand
The Peace Maker Best known for his Academy Award–winning role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland,” actor, director and filmmaker Forest Whitaker uses his success and platform to create positive impact and build peace in conflict regions. Whitaker focuses much of his work in Uganda, where he is dedicated to teaching and healing the young victims of Uganda’s civil war. Much of this work is done through Hope North, an accredited school helping to rehabilitate victims of the conflict, founded by our friend and former child soldier Okello Sam. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Whitaker about the incredible work that he is doing during the 2014 Gala, where he was recognized for his work with the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative. What does Uganda mean to you? Uganda has a special place in my heart because it’s the first place that I touched down in Africa, which is the land of my ancestry. When I went to Uganda, I had been commissioned to learn what it was like to be a Ugandan, what it was like to be African. I was working on a role for “The Last King of Scotland,” and I was doing a lot of research centered in Uganda. I started to understand the place and to feel it as a part of me, a part of my being. The foods I ate, the places I went, the way I spent my days all were centered around the Ugandan life, and so as a result, part of it became embedded in me as a person. How has Uganda impacted your work in conflict resolution? Uganda had the longest-running conflict with Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army. This conflict went on for decades, and so many people lost their lives, were displaced and put in camps there. So many youths were harmed during the process because he was abducting children and making them become soldiers in his army. Many lives were altered, and the future of so many people was impacted. These children, as they were growing up, were the new nation and still oftentimes suffering from some of the post-traumatic stress that this environment gave to them — whether it was abuse, the things they had to do, the atrocities they had to see, the atrocities that were done upon them, or any number of different things that occurred as they tried to survive being enslaved in the Lord’s Resistance Army. The work that I do in conflict resolution and peace is different for every region I go to. I think I’ve been able to have a really great space in Uganda with Hope North. I was working there for a number of months, and I got a chance to meet with Okello Sam. He asked me if I would come to his orphanage 6 6 S TA R K E Y H E A R I N G FO U N DAT I O N
and see what he was trying to do. I decided to go and spend some time there, and eventually, I decided to work with him to build more dormitories, buildings and wells. It’s a relationship that’s lasted more than eight years. Then, about a year and a half ago, I started a program in Uganda with Sam at the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative. How has Okello Sam inspired you? Sam is a remarkable individual — he’s full of life; he’s full of love; he exudes both. They come across to anyone in his presence. I think he took a tragedy and turned it into something that allowed him to give back. He started Hope North with a mission to build the conditions for peace by educating and empowering youth. I was fortunate to get a chance to work with him and help him realize some of this mission as our relationship evolved. Sam was able to reconcile with the things that happened to him because he was able to transform those pains and problems into his expression of love. I think love is the key to being able to heal. People go through many things to move beyond the pain or trauma from their past. At the core of it is a sense of self, which Sam instills in these youths — it’s a sense of knowing that they belong that they’re important. What is the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative? The Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative is an initiative that brings together peace builders and community builders in areas of conflict around the world. This includes work centers to provide youth affected by the conflict with conflict transformation training, communication skill development and tools like computer technology training. A very large part is life coaching, life training, meditation and trauma release. From there, these youths make their own plans of action to effect change in their communities. We help them to succeed in bringing their plans to life and bringing peace to their environments. Do you see a peaceful future? I believe that humanity is going through evolutionary change. I think that we are becoming in some ways more compassionate. You can see it in this country. You see a lot of people reaching out and trying to have their voices heard, looking for ways that they can affect their fellow man. I think that movement is going to continue as we recognize how deeply connected we are and how one thing affects the other and the butterfly effect, or ripple effect, that our actions have on the planet.
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Sounds Good Can you identify that sound? A single note; a vibration fills the air from floor to ceiling, followed by a hundred instruments — a thousand notes reverberate through the concert hall. An orchestra. It swells at the crescendo, and then sinks softly at the decrescendo. The violinists and flutists sing the high notes in the melody, while the cellos and bassoons 6 8 S TA R K E Y H E A R I N G FO U N DAT I O N
hum the low harmony, and with every strike of the bass drum or chime of the triangle, the percussionists hold the entire piece together. Every note and beat is essential. Without even one of the crucial elements, Mozart falls flat, Bach skips a beat and Beethoven loses his thunder. A multitude of different pitches, volumes and textures must weave together to complete the musical masterpiece.
MICHAEL JOHNS 1978 — 2014
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend Michael Johns. He was a beautiful and caring soul who was devoted to the gift of hearing. He will be dearly missed.
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