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As you've seen in my recent video, I mentioned about my project in Samoa. The original plan was cut short, so what
did I do during the other 4 weeks? Before I went to Samoa, I stayed in New Zealand for 2 weeks over the Christmas
and New Years season. After that I went to Samoa which was cut short due to my health and returned to New Zealand.
The first thing I did in New Zealand was to, of course, see a doctor. They eventually found out that I had travel fatigue.
This was because I've been to different countries with different climates. My body was pretty much in shock.
I had to rest more, to exercise and to look after myself. So what was I to do for another 4 weeks?
The people I stayed with over the festive seasons worked with me to give me a couple of projects that I could do.
They asked me to fly to Christchurch which is on the South Island. I stayed in Wellington which is on the North Island.
There was a Family Camp in Christchurch, they asked me to present to the parents and the 9-18 year olds too.
I normally have wavy hair but it is tied up now. I am Deaf and I also have Deaf parents just like you all!
Hands up who have Deaf parents? Ahh, we all are the same!
With the parents, I focused on research and proof from the studies at Frontunners in areas such as Sign Language and
its benefits. Such as when we had Peter Hauser present to us about Woll's 2012 research on how Sign Language
doesnt affect the progress of speech skills. Sign Language and acquisition actually increases the spoken skill.
I also presented a little bit about Frontrunners which was the reason I was in New Zealand. With the youths, I focused
on what it was like having Deaf parents. The positivity of Sign Language etc. The aim of both of my presentations at
the camp was to increase positive mentality about Sign Language and being Deaf/having Deaf parents.
Where am I from? Australia. Thats probably why you can see some differences in my signing.
But thats okay, Auslan is similar to NZSL.
Was that all? No, I had more projects. In Wellington, I presented to the Deaf Community about Deaf Gain.
The positive side of being Deaf and the benefits that come with it and also about Frontrunners. I also presented these
I also presented these topics in Christchurch.
In Christchurch, I also had one session where I presented to the youths about WFDYS, the World Federation of the
Deaf Youth Section and its Camps. About the WFDYS Camps I've participated in, Norway 2009 for 13-17 yo and
South Africa 2011 for 18-30 yo. I've told them about my experience being involved in them and also a bit about
Frontrunners. It was a really lovely session getting to know them and seeing what they wanted to achieve in the future.
I also had the opportunity to be involved in the meeting with Christchurch's Deaf Youth who are organizing a camp
in April 2013. They asked me about how I became involved in Frontrunners and what it is. What made me inspired and
keen to join Frontrunners, how I saved up for it etc. It was a lovely session. Soon I will be making a short video for the
Camp so they can show their youths about me. Its a bummer I cannot be there physically as I am studying here.
But it is very lovely of them to ask me to be involved.
Returning to Wellington I was still able to grab some more projects. There was a school that had Deaf students, their
parents asked me to visit the school to discuss the benefits and facts of Sign Language from research and proof.
Like for example, the teachers still think of the oral methods when really Sign Language is more beneficial.
There is one last project that I did, it was an internship with the Deaf View 3 Committee.
Deaf View 3 was organizing a conference which happened in March 2013. They had a lot of responsibility which I
could help out with as I had some free time. I supported in broadcasting information about the conference.
It was a wonderful experience to see what it was like to observe and working with the committee.
In total, there was 8 different 'mini' projects that was fantastically gained in just 3 weeks! The other week was
spent with my mother who surprised me by visiting me in New Zealand. I haven't seen her for 6 months at that time.
A big thanks to the Deaf Community of New Zealand for welcoming me, asking me to present and host workshops.
It has been an experience for me, they say I inspired them but they also inspired me!
Its has been quite an interesting project for Module 2 of Frontrunners.
Hello! Where in the world am I? I'm all the way over in New Zealand. I've been staying at Wellington.
And we've driven to the north-east of the North Island to the longest place name in the world. Check it out!
It has approximately 85 letters in the name!