Kerry Deaf Resource Centre Update 29.02.16 (Ethiopia trip & EDP Events)

KDRC MANAGER TRAVELLING TO ETHIOPIA IN AUGUST
Our Manager Willie White will be travelling to Ethiopia on a volunteer basis for 3 weeks in August 2016. The aim of the trip is to provide workshops & training to Deaf adults & children who communicate through Ethiopian Sign Language. These workshops will also be open to their hearing relatives, friends & supporters.

As you may know, Willie is also a trained & qualified sign language interpreter. In the Deaf world, he is known as a CODA (Children Of Deaf Adults) as his parents were Deaf. This is where his interest in working with the Deaf community comes from.

This will be his 4th volunteer trip to Africa. His 1st trip was with an
Irish charity in 2008 that built houses in Khayelitsha Township in South
Africa. https://www.melloneducate.com/

In 2010 & 2014, he volunteered with an Irish charity that we have supported
since it was established called the Ethiopia Deaf Project (EDP). The aim of
this project was to build a Deaf school in a town called Ambo in Ethiopia.
The school has since been built and employs two Deaf teachers and continues
to see an increase in deaf students every year.
http://www.facebook.com/ethiopiadeafprojectambo

This trip will be split between two projects that work in 3 different parts
of Ethiopia: Ambo, Addis Ababa & Bahir Dar.

In Ambo, Willie will:
·Visit the Ambo Lazarist Deaf School for approx 4-5 days.
·Work in conjunction with Deaf teachers in the school.
·Provide a range of workshops to deaf students in Grade 1-4 & Grade 5-8.
·Provide workshops & information to family members & hearing supporters
·Workshops will include Deaf empowerment, Ethiopian Sign Language, Computer
Tuition, Arts & Crafts and & Sporting activities.
·Visit the Ambo Deaf Association
·Meet with the wider Deaf community in Ambo.
·Participate in group evaluations & carry out needs assessments

During the 2nd part of the trip, Willie will work for the 1st time with
Visions Global Empowerment in projects with the Deaf community in Addis
Ababa and Bahir Dar.
http://visionsglobalempowerment.org/international-opportunities/

In Addis Ababa, they will:
·Provide a day training program at the Sebstie Negassi School.

In Bahir Dar:
·New volunteers with Visions will get an introduction to Ethiopian Sign
Language by local Deaf teachers & volunteers;
·Volunteers will work with local partners and teachers;
·Visit a Deaf Resource Room and new classroom at Yekatit 23 School;
·Work alongside local teachers with classroom activities for Deaf children
(Grades 1 – 4);
·Provide activities for Deaf children in hearing integrated classrooms at
the school (Grades 5–8);
·Visit a new Visions Model Regional Deafness Centre:
·Provide 1-day training workshops at the Centre for deaf preschool children
(ages 3–6) and Deaf students (ages 6–17)
·In addition, provide a 1-day leadership training workshop for approx. 35
Deaf young adults (ages 15–30);
·Site visits and workshops for students at 2 other Bahir Dar schools with
classes for Deaf students (Tsehay Gibot & Donna Berber Schools);
·Site visit to Visions’ sponsored livelihood projects benefiting young Deaf
adults;
·Participate in an Exchange program with Bahir Dar University and/or Felege
Hiwot Hospital;

Throughout their time in Ethiopia; Willie, tutors, volunteers along with
Deaf & hearing participants will take part in group evaluations, needs
assessments, review & record benefits of the trip and hold discussions on
future plans.

If you would like to make a donation to this trip, you can drop donations
into our Centre or online at www.gofundme.com/2016ethiopia

ETHIOPIA DEAF PROJECT (EDP) UPCOMING EVENTS
On Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of June, The Ethiopia Deaf Project is
holding a great weekend of fun.

Saturday 24th of June, they will be having a Soccer match Deaf against
hearing, followed by a cuppa and a sandwich.

After this they will have Mass celebrated in sign language by Fr Gerard and
Fr Stephen Monaghan.  They are delighted to have the Dublin Singing choir
performing at the mass too.  A number of children will also be will be
signing the prayers & it promises to be a lovely event.

Afterwards, they will head to the local pub for a chat and a few drinks.
They will be having entertainment in the pub for the children also.

AMBO RAMBLE CHARITY CYCLE (EDP)
Sunday 25th of June, they will have the Ambo Ramble cycle. This is a 126km
and a 40km cycle starting in Ballinhassig Co Cork.  This is a great sporting
event & fun too.  After the cycle there will be showers, hot food and
beautiful cakes.  The cost of the cycle is €30 but the organisers have
sponsorship cards and if you raise €50 you cycle for free.

No bike? No problem.  Bikes can be hired from The Bike Shed in Cork for €10.

Once again, when this is finished, everyone will head across the road to the
pub for a get to together, a chat and a bit of craic (fun).  There will be
burgers served later in the night. Please like the event page to keep update
on all the news regarding the weekend of events.
https://www.facebook.com/events/951724821549739/

Accommodation- the organisers have spoken to the Travelodge in Cork and they
will give the first 30 rooms at the special rate of €109 on the Saturday and
€52 on the Sunday. This price is per room. The room can hold 3 people. You
must mention the Ethiopia Deaf Project when booking.

Finally just so you know what it’s all for? Here is a 30sec video of the
opening of Grade 8. While its short and very sweet, it shows the opening of
the new classroom in Ambo where all the money raised from last year’s cycle
went. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDpCEThHhrE

The 2nd clip is the new grade 1 classroom in use.  For two children it’s
actually their first day ever in school! The younger ones as you can imagine
are learning signs for the first time. The teacher is Ashenafi who the EDP
helped to sponsor through his studies in university. He is from Ambo and now
teaches there! ENJOY. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV6W1yYw8F0

If you have any questions, please contact the committee on their facebook
page
https://www.facebook.com/ethiopiadeafprojectambo

OUR CONTACT DETAILS:
Kerry Deaf Resource Centre.
4 Gas Tce, Tralee, Co. Kerry, IRELAND
V92 Y409

KDRC provides services to Deaf and hard of hearing people at county level
and contributes to national & international issues of equality, access and
rights.

Charity Number CHY20854
To donate, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/kerrydeafresource

Text: (+353) 87 633 4687
Tel: (+353) 66 712 0399
E-mail: [email protected]
Glide: OQC BSYB
Skype: kerrydeaf (by appointment)
FaceTime: [email protected] (by appointment)
FaceTime: (+353) 87 633 4687 (by appointment)
Website:    www.kerrydeaf.com
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/kerrydeaf