Signing Time in Ghana Africa

[Rachel]

We have the incredible opportunity to go to Ghana Africa and teach the deaf! Some of you have heard me mention this before, but it is REALLY happening. For the first trip, Aaron, Leah and I are going January 21st 2008.

We are looking for 10 individuals, businesses or corporations to donate $1,000 each to The Signing Time Foundation (http://www.signingtimefoundation.org). So far Emilie and I have asked 3 people and all 3 have said "Yes!" We also received a $1000 check from a family who decided not to do x-mas gifts this year, but to donate to a good cause. They asked their youngest daughter to choose the cause and she said, "I think we should give it to Alex and Leah!" (So that's $4000 down and only $6000 to go!)

So I am asking you to stop and think for 1 minute. Are you, your company or someone you know interested in being one of our 10 sponsors?

A little bit about Ghana and why we are going. Ghana is the size of Oregon. They have 13 schools for the deaf there. Deaf children start school at the age of 5. Many are dropped off for their 3 month semester and their families never come back to pick them up. A week after the semester ends, an orphanage bus comes to get the children who have been left.

Many of the families can not afford the tuition $83 per semester. Many are embarrassed that their child is deaf.

The teachers have no background in Deaf Ed. They finish college and are assigned to teach at a school. Most teachers are unhappy to find they are assigned to a deaf school. They do not know the language and have no proof that these deaf children CAN be taught.

And deaf girls are even worse off. Two years ago deaf girls were finally allowed to go to high school. There are no interpreters for deaf students who make it to college.

When Leah heard this, she was distraught. Her eyes were full of tears and she said, "Mom!! We have to do something!! I'm deaf and I'm a girl and if I was born in Ghana I wouldn't have a chance!"

While filming the last Signing Time shows we interviewed Leah and I asked her what she wants to be when she grows up. She said, "I want to be a teacher of the deaf in Africa." Well, Leah will not have to wait until she has grown up. We have partnered with Signs Of Hope Internationa (http://signsofhopeinternational.org)l - they have created internships for Americans who know ASL to go teach the teachers. They also have a teacher incentive program, to incentivize the teachers to show up to class and to learn ASL.

Signs of Hope International brought Signing Time DVD's to the schools in Ghana. The teachers and students could not believe that in America a deaf GIRL would ever be on TV and that here a deaf girl would be celebrated.

We are looking to make this a yearly trip, where we can go inspire, teach and show these children the possibilities for their futures. It is our goal that on our future trips we will not only teach and inspire, but we will be building playgrounds and dormitories at these schools as well.

If you ARE someone who would like to support these efforts, or you know someone who will, a tax deductible donation to can be made to:

The Signing Time Foundation
623 E. Fort Union Blvd. Suite 202
Midvale UT 84047

Or you can donate any amount right now by visiting www.signingtimefoundation.org

If you have any questions or ideas, please bring them on!

[purplewowies]

I would donate $1000 if I could but I don't have it! Sorry!

And this part deeply moved me:


When Leah heard this, she was distraught. Her eyes were full of tears and she said, "Mom!! We have to do something!! I'm deaf and I'm a girl and if I was born in Ghana I wouldn't have a chance!"

[Rachel]

I am happy to report we received another $1500 in donations!!! That brings us to a total of $5500. We are so close! We still need $4500 in donations. Any amount will help make a difference.
www.signingtimefoundation.org (http://www.signingtimefoundation.org)

We have set the date: January 21-31 2008 :D

[tamthompson74]

Rachel, what a wonderful opportunity for your family. It brought tears to my eyes when I read this. At church on Sunday a guy told us about him and his wife just getting back from visiting Africa. He said all of the children are just amazing and loving. They will absolutely love you, Leah and Aaron!

[Lynja_the_ninja]

This is great!!!!! I will talk to a few people I know that have business and see what I can get for the cause. I will also bring this up as a school service project. Our Student Council is trying to show that every little bit helps through service projects.

[Rachel]

Since my last post we have received another $500 plus a promise of $1000! That brings us to $7000.

You guys rock! Thank you for your generosity and your willingness to share what we are doing with the people around you, the people you work with and the people you work for.

Some of you have asked if you can donate smaller amounts, of course you can. If 20 families donate $25, that's another $500!!

I am going to have a section of my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel) that is dedicate to our Ghana Experience. That way you can get all the latest updates there. I mean really, don't you want to see pictures of us getting shots?:eek:

[purplewowies]

Since my last post we have received another $500 plus a promise of $1000! That brings us to $7000.

You guys rock! Thank you for your generosity and your willingness to share what we are doing with the people around you, the people you work with and the people you work for.

Some of you have asked if you can donate (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr) smaller amounts, of course you can. If 20 families donate $25, that's another $500!!

I am going to have a section of my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel) that is dedicate to our Ghana Experience. That way you can get all the latest updates there. I mean really, don't you want to see pictures of us getting shots?:eek:

I do! LOL! Just kidding. Man! I wish I had money! I gotta save my money for a plane ticket for me for my school's ASL club's trip to Washington, DC to stay at Gallaudet University for a week.

If you still need money at Christmas, and if I have any money left over (I'll probably get a lot), I'll donate it possibly if I find a way to. If I put it in my mom's bank account, it'll probably be a tax deductible for her. (But I don't pay taxes yet anyway, so I don't really care! I wouldn't care even if I did pay taxes!)

[Sally6473]

That is wonderful. I sent the information on to my husband and I hope he has sent it on to whoever he needs to at overstock. I'm so glad that you're reaching your goal!

[Rachel]

Wow, I can't tell you how incredible it is to be able to give you all these updates. Through the Signing Time Foundation web-site (http://www.signingtimefoundation.org) we have received $975 in donations!

That brings us to $7975 in donations. Just $25 away from an even $8000 dollars. There is no doubt in my mind that this is happening! Just $2025 to raise!

[Rachel]

We now have a donation tracker (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/2008/01/03/count-down-and-chip-in/) on my blog!!! So, now you can "Chip in" and watch us meet our goal!

You can also watch the countdown until our flight on my blog. Just look on the right hand side of the screen!

I have been updating my blog frequently so please check in there or you can subscribe. Leah, Alex, Aaron, Derek, Robi and I go in for shots tomorrow (gulp)!!

[ST! LeeAnn]

Everyone arrived safely and spent the first day resting.

I just spoke to Rebecca who talked to Rachel for about 1/2 hour yesterday. The Internet Cafe is there, but the guy who ran it just stopped showing up to open it. So Rebecca will be updating Rachel's blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel) as soon as she can.

Rachel has been journaling everything and will publish it when she gets home. She said that she just can't cover everything that has gone on in a 1/2 hour phone call.

[ST! Rebecca]

Hello friends, I just did a post on Rachel's behalf to her blog. Go check it out! I'll have more later after I talk to her again this weekend!

Love,

Rebecca

[Lynja_the_ninja]

I just saw your signature. Thank you for the update.

[StaceyHay]

I read your update on the blog. Great Job!! I can't wait to hear more in your next report. It does seem amazing that there are ST! fans all over the world. What an experience for the whole ST! gang. :) Congratulations on the new baby.

[ST! Rebecca]

Thanks! Yeah, I found out I was pregnant after I dropped Robi off at the airport. I called him, knowing he was sitting in the terminal (I almost tried to call the agent at the gate to make an announcement or something but was running out of time!). When he answered his phone, I said, "Do you have a sec?" and he said, "Yep" and then I blurted out "I'm pregnant." <<<<<silence>>>>> "WOW... are you sure?" I had taken two tests that seemed a little flimsy and weird, so I told him I'd take some more of the regular kind I buy and let him know when he arrived in New York. So I sent him a picture message from my phone, of FIVE positive pregnancy tests lined up on my bathroom counter! It was hilarious. And so memorable! I'm just amazed that my children will be exactly two years apart. Feels like deja vu!

~Rebecca

[5TAL55]

Rebecca,

Thank you so much for updating Rachel's blog. I have been so looking foward to reading about their trip.

And Congratulations on the baby news!! It seems like only yesterday we were awaiting Shawn's arrival.

[Rachel]

Finally an internet cafe! I just did a quick update on my blog. so please take a peek! We are all good and safe and no one has been too sick, well Heidi did have to go to the hospital but that was before we even got here. Today we had another taxi crash into ours, but they say that is just part of the experience. Come to think of it any time somthing goes wrong we are told "That's just part of the experience!" I may have to start using that one myself.

I can't believe how soon we will be coming home. It will be good to have a hot shower and not a shower out of a bucket. It's the little things I miss, like sushi and washing my hands. Aaron says he would even eat a Big Mac at this point LOL and he doesn't like McDonalds. The real question is... would he eat a McRib? Hmmmm I don't think I would eat a McRib. LOL

[purplewowies]

When I first saw you had posted, I thought somebody had hacked your account! lol. Then, I looked at the post, looked at your blog, and screamed inside (I didn't scream because my mom needed to relax).

I was all like, "OH MY GOSH! IT'S ACTUALLY YOU!!!!":eek::eek::eek:

Can't wait 'til you come back here! (And I wonder if Aaron will really eat a Big Mac. LOL)

:pJessica:p

[catybarra]

Thanks! Yeah, I found out I was pregnant after I dropped Robi off at the airport. I called him, knowing he was sitting in the terminal (I almost tried to call the agent at the gate to make an announcement or something but was running out of time!). When he answered his phone, I said, "Do you have a sec?" and he said, "Yep" and then I blurted out "I'm pregnant." <<<<<silence>>>>> "WOW... are you sure?" I had taken two tests that seemed a little flimsy and weird, so I told him I'd take some more of the regular kind I buy and let him know when he arrived in New York. So I sent him a picture message from my phone, of FIVE positive pregnancy tests lined up on my bathroom counter! It was hilarious. And so memorable! I'm just amazed that my children will be exactly two years apart. Feels like deja vu!

~Rebecca


CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting! I would loved to have seen your dh's face as he sat on that plane!

[Rachel]

My Ghana Journal is on-line. You can read the first 2 days right now. Go to www.signingtime.com/rachel look in the upper right-hand corner and see where it says Ghana Journal 2008. Click and start reading about our adventure.

It's my goal to post a page a day. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.

http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/ghana-journal-2008-day-1/

Rachel

[Rachel]

I have now posted the first 3 days. There are a lot of pictures too! I am trying to keep up with the current pace of posting one new journal day, each day.

Here is the link for Day 2
http://www.signingtime.com/rachel/ghana-journal-2008-day-1/ghana-journal-2008-day-2/

Or just visit my blog and click on the Ghana Journal entries in the upper right hand corner.

www.signingtime.com/rachel

[TennisGirl]

see the pictures on your "#9" blog. :( Probably just our computor. ::mad: more tears :(

[purplewowies]

I'm guessing no one could see the pictures.

[TennisGirl]

I'm guessing no one could see the pictures.

yeah! Glad it wan't just me. Can't wait to see them though! :)

[janinek]

I just read all of the Ghana posts, non-stop, I couldn't even walk away from my computer for a second, or to drink a sip of the glass of wine that I had poured 3 hours prior. I was standing at my kitchen counter for 90 minutes. Finally I had to go plug in because my laptop battery was dying. I just couldn't stop reading, I was so enthralled by it all.

Rachel -- Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us!

[fia's mom]

I'm guessing no one could see the pictures.


I had no problems seeing any of the pictures on the #9 post or on any of the posts. Everything came through just fine for me.

[janinek]

I saw all of the pictures too, amazing!

What is the sewer-looking photo on day 5. Is that the smell that made Alex sick?

[Rachel]

All of the pictures are back up on my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel). We had some scheduled maintenance on our site and it seems like the only "casualty" was my blog photos. Our IT guy worked all day Sunday transferring the vast number of pictures to the new server.

This is why some of your comments disappeared and one of my post went MIA. It would no longer let me up load photos, so hang tight. I was as frustrated as you were.

Leah and I are sick in bed with fever, cough, headache and chills. Aaron and Lucy left the house in hopes of steering clear of whatever we have got.

[TennisGirl]

All of the pictures are back up on my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel).

Leah and I are sick in bed with fever, cough, headache and chills. Aaron and Lucy left the house in hopes of steering clear of whatever we have got.

Yep! I saw them! You guys sure had fun! :D

GET BETTER SOON! :D (That's not a choice!) Sending cyber prayers your way!

[purplewowies]

All of the pictures are back up on my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel). We had some scheduled maintenance on our site and it seems like the only "casualty" was my blog photos. Our IT guy worked all day Sunday transferring the vast number of pictures to the new server.

This is why some of your comments disappeared and one of my post went MIA. It would no longer let me up load photos, so hang tight. I was as frustrated as you were.

Leah and I are sick in bed with fever, cough, headache and chills. Aaron and Lucy left the house in hopes of steering clear of whatever we have got.

You COULD have flu and strep; my whole family had that last week. Except I only had strep. ;) :)

[Rachel]

Leah has a temperature of 106. Mine is 105. I don't think I will be able to post a blog tonight. I will try, but I can hardly sit up.:(

[Lynja_the_ninja]

I'm sorry your sick. that has been going around my neighborhood and it really wipes you out. we had it the second week of January but some how it missed my oldest son. I don't know very many people who have missed out on that happy experience :)
hope Aaron and Lucy stay healthy.

[ajberchielli]

All of the pictures are back up on my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel). We had some scheduled maintenance on our site and it seems like the only "casualty" was my blog photos. Our IT guy worked all day Sunday transferring the vast number of pictures to the new server.

This is why some of your comments disappeared and one of my post went MIA. It would no longer let me up load photos, so hang tight. I was as frustrated as you were.

Leah and I are sick in bed with fever, cough, headache and chills. Aaron and Lucy left the house in hopes of steering clear of whatever we have got.

wishing you well vibes I had this flu go through my house last week, it really wipes the house fast. I love reading about your trip it sounds like a real eye opener to many on how different the culture is there from here. Get well soon rachel and Leah.

[catybarra]

Leah has a temperature of 106. Mine is 105. I don't think I will be able to post a blog tonight. I will try, but I can hardly sit up.:(

WOW! I am so sorry to hear that! Did you take her (and yourself) in?? I hope that it stays away from the rest of the family and you two are feeling better soon. Don't worry about your blog, we might be able to survive until you are feeling better.

[ST! LeeAnn]

Leah and I are sick in bed with fever, cough, headache and chills. Aaron and Lucy left the house in hopes of steering clear of whatever we have got.

I hope you get feeling better soon.
LeeAnn

[Rachel]

Aaron had a touch of this last week, but I think he got through it. He and Lucy have been spending as much time out of the house as possible. They are sleeping downstairs in our guest room.

Leah and I have taken over Aaron and my room. You should see us alternating from winter hats, socks, fleece jackets and blankets to stripping down to t-shirts and shorts.

I can't remember the last time we were this sick:( I've been too dizzy to sit up, but I got the next blog transcribed, I just need to get downstairs and then back up to post the pictures and right now that sounds SO FAR AWAY. Thanks for being so patient.

FYI Excedrin Sinus Headache is the bomb! I would totally do a commercial for them right now.

[purplewowies]

FYI Excedrin Sinus Headache is the bomb! I would totally do a commercial for them right now.

Wow, really? I prefer Tylenol (acetominophen), Advil (ibufrofen), Mucinex (dextromethorphan[cough suppressant] and guaifenesin[expectorant]), Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride), and amoxicillin (antibiotic). I had to take all of those when I was sick, and in the mornings, it was all at once! (My mom buys a seperate medicine for each symptom because she doesn't wan't to treat symptoms I don't have.) Hope you don't need to take that much medicine!


Aaron had a touch of this last week, but I think he got through it. He and Lucy have been spending as much time out of the house as possible. They are sleeping downstairs in our guest room.

Leah and I have taken over Aaron and my room. You should see us alternating from winter hats, socks, fleece jackets and blankets to stripping down to t-shirts and shorts.

I can't remember the last time we were this sick:( I've been too dizzy to sit up, but I got the next blog transcribed, I just need to get downstairs and then back up to post the pictures and right now that sounds SO FAR AWAY. Thanks for being so patient.

Get well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):D

[Sally6473]

Oh man Rachel I'm so sorry! I hope you and Leah can kick this soon! How miserable. This winter has been rough on a lot of people!

[mightyoaks]

((Rachel & Leah)) Hope you are feeling better soon! We've had influenza going through our family.

I'm another one of those people hanging on your every word about your trip. What an amazing and inspiring experience!

[ST! LeeAnn]

Wow, I hope you get well soon!

[jenml]

Rachel, glad you found something that works for you... another good one: Theraflu! You drink it hot like tea and they have lots of flavors. I specifically recommend the red cherry one for nighttime. Be close to your bed when you drink it, and don't be holding anything that can drop out of your hands and break (like a child!!). First time I had that stuff, it really hit me fast (knocked me out), but made me feel so much better.

Get better soon...

[Rachel]

I wanted to let you all know that the Ghana information, journal video and blog is now found on the Signing Time Foundation site. (http://www.signingtimefoundation.org/ghana/2008/05/08/going-back-to-ghana-on-saturday/)

You can get to it through my blog (http://www.signingtime.com/rachel) as well. (Look for the links on the right hand side)

I posted there yesterday that I am going back to Ghana on Saturday... YES tomorrow morning! I leave May 10 and will be back on May 16th!

[Sally6473]

Have a wonderful and safe trip Rachel!