January 2009 1

Volume 2 Issue 4

January 2009

2008: A Groundbreaking Year for DDW

www.discoveringdeafworlds.com

Filming the boys on the rooftop

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.

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, especial-ly 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,

however, is the near-completion of our first film, Discovering: Shuktara.

Looking back at the 101 international organiza-tions and schools we visited this past year, Shuk-tara 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 devel-opment and education. Discovering: Shuktara cap-tures 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 Dis-covering: 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

Working on language development at the Shuk-tara home

2 Discovering Deaf Worlds

Spotlight on Alexia Prichard

Meet Alexia Prichard of Closed Loop Films – the blood, sweat and tears behind the making of Discov-ering: Shuktara. DDW and Closed Loop Films came together this past Autumn through a mutual friend in Kolkata, India. Within minutes of our first conversa-tion, we were enchanted with Alexia’s spunk, efficiency, social values, and most of all, enthusiasm when speaking

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 per-fect 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 cred-its/clients include: Lifetime’s Intimate Portrait, Oxygen Sports, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, NASA, Paula Abdul, Sarah Susanka, AOL, and The Sierra Club, to name a few. A children’s television pilot Prichard edited, Ya-Ya’s Wonderful World, was an official selection to the 2008 Los Angeles and San Diego Inter-national Children’s Film Festivals. Prichard’s passion is for films that promote environmental and social justice.

DDW is extremely grateful to have Prichard on board.For more information on Prichard’s work and Closed Loop Films, visit www.closedloopfilms.com.

Alexia Prichard, Editor and Co-Producer for Discovering: Shuktara

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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

Horseshoe Falls by night from the Canadian side.

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

One of Seven Forgotten

Natural Wonders of the World

January 2009 3

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 tax-exempt organizations. Fortune Magazine named Nixon Pea-

body 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.

Local Law Firm Boosts DDW

Into the Non-Profit World

Out with the Old,

In with New Years Around the World!

Chinese New Year2009 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

Japanese New YearIt 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 YearSongkran• , 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

A dragon made from fabric at an annual Chinese New Year festival. (Photo by Davin Searls)

4 Discovering Deaf Worlds

January 2009 5

A Thank You to Our Sponsors

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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.

Shout-Outs!Shout-Outs!Shout-Outs!

6 Discovering Deaf Worlds

acceptance, so think positive thoughts! Our goal is to submit this film to over 100 film fes-tival showcases throughout the year.

Discovering: Shuktara is the next step in building a lifelong relationship between Shuk-tara and DDW. In addition to spreading aware-ness, the film will help secure grants for our first official DDW: Creating Possibilities proj-ect. The intention is to help Shuktara provide long-term, ongoing deaf role models (both na-tive and international) to work with boys and girls on advancing language development, self-expression, 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.

WHERE: Taj Mahal III Restaurant 1075 E. South Boulder Road, Louisville, CO 80027WHEN: Thursday, February 5, 6:30pmCOST: $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=UOPERJECUNUHVCUZOPNA&inviteId=CXLUPIMIMBYQXWDCEESX&showPreview=false&x=181431737

DDW Documentary Fundraiser

SHUKTARA, continued from front page

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.

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 WorldsP.O. Box 10063

Rochester, NY 14610

Newsletter services provided byT.S. Writing Services, LLC

www.tswriting.comA Deaf-Owned Company

Students of the Colo. Registry of Interpreters for the DeafRuth and Jimmy SternJustine HinderliterBecky KnottBeth Kolanowski

Jules BernerManhan KarsanbhaiRyan CommersonRoseann DiprosporoBrittney StanekMatt and Peggy TealScott Kaplan

Among Our Supporters

Shuktara Trust (UK)Lisa Wyly

Helen SmithGary D. Osburn