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Dear Sponsors - Our students' lives and education continue to be affected by COVID. I will do my best to give a short update on each of our current students and how they need our support. RWANDA Esther and Bonny Rwanda has had to be in serious lockdown this year and only just recently is seeing a slight improvement. The school schedules have shifted because of closures, but as of this morning, they will be able to do their plumbing and creative arts internships! Esther's email this week: I have decided to email you before we could join morning lessons. We both reported back to school safely, and all tested negative for COVID-19. Although some parts of the country especially the city and surrounding areas are still under lockdown. We are scheduled to take exams during the semester break. The exams period for this semester shall be utilized to recover the lost time during the short school lockdown to cover some topics. And also, we shall not reach home after completing the semester. We shall directly go to our various Internship sites. Also, Bonny doesn't currently have access to his email account. Each time he tries to login, it asks for verification from a phone number to her Aunt who's currently locked up in Tanzania. Unfortunately, she left the simcard in her room back in Rwanda. He is requesting if he can temporarily use another email address and when her Aunt returns, then he resumes with the usual email address. UGANDA / SOUTH SUDAN Phina, Kelai, Scovia, and Oryem Our students in Uganda really need your prayers. Kelai and Scovia from South Sudan are trying to manage being away from family for an unknown length of time, Phina is trying to graduate in the midst of a harsh lockdown, and Oryem's starting date continues to be postponed (almost 2 years now + the 4-5 years he was waiting before that for his chance at a scholarship). Oryem's email this week: Dear Destiny and All, How are you doing? I hope you are okay. As you all know, I updated you some couple of days ago regarding the 42day lockdown in Uganda. During that time, the Gov't put in place the following restrictions (among others), 1-Inter-district movement 2-Private & Public transport 3-Closure of all education institutions 4-Curfew All the above mentioned were partially lifted EXCEPT the Education Sector. It's unfortunate that we shall not be able to return to school for now until the expected number of students aged 12-18 have been vaccinated. The Gov't is encouraging online learning as the only option. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/uganda-eases-coronavirus-lockdown/2319768 Destiny, we are truly disappointed by the inconsistencies caused by these lockdowns towards our education. Please inform our sponsors that we seriously want to study and we very much appreciate all their efforts and sacrifices, ensuring that our dreams come true. Let them know that the Government is currently looking forward to ensuring that Schools that lack the online learning facilities are provided and they shouldn't get discouraged. Thank you so much. Keep safe and may the Lord Bless you for us. Oryem. Also, Jerry, our Ugandan Deaf Dreamer who graduated right before COVID, is continuing to do work with his organization: Deaf In Action. He is requesting support in simple, though profound ways. You can read about the work they are doing here and contact information for his organization if you'd like to help: TANZANIA Alfred and Rachael Our Tanzanian Deaf Dreamers are pushing forward in their studies. Again, COVID has caused delays, isolations, lock-downs and other struggles for them, but they are amazingly resilient! I shared Rachael's miracle a few weeks ago. You will DEFINITELY want to read about her story! (Click the blue button below to go to that post.) Rachael's email last week: Find the attached photos of Alfred. Shows how he has been spending his holiday from home heaping potatoesfor home consumption. See from the background. These potatoes take only 2.5months to mature. Sometimes they are sliced and dried, kept in store and used when there's famine. We want to show you this when you come to TZ. Thank you. KENYA Patricia With Patricia awaiting her eventual graduation, she has spent her time doing good! Dear Destiny I'm sooo grateful, receiving your email. I have been here in Ajiga, Bondo, western Kenya. for the last three months, on a mission to end stigma and improve the lives of Deaf young people in the Area with Baringo Deaf Care Organization. A community Based Organization advocating for the Deaf. BONDO is one of the many rural areas in Kenya where the Deaf are seen as a curse. They are not sent to School. Imagine growing up in a community where you can't freely communicate to anyone, No one clearly understands you, You are not allowed to play with other Children because their parents consider you different? but worse of all you use gestures instead of sign language? We tried our best to campaign against such, and advocated for Deaf Education. At least we managed to convince at least six Families with Deaf Children to send them to School. After here I will be going to Volunteer at Kambui School for the Deaf for grade two class. Meanwhile i wait for Education Ministry to advertise for Open positions for Deaf Teachers, so I apply. Thank you once again. I very much appreciate you for bringing me to this level. It's through your efforts. Patricia Ghana Jennifer I have not heard much from Jennifer recently. Her schooling has been on hold for some time now due to COVID. She is, obviously, eager to get started but we do not know when that will be. Thank you to all of you who have specifically donated during COVID. These students are navigating more than "just" getting their education so my goal is to make sure they do not have to worry about their scholarships at least! All of the changes have required more funding than usual to cover PPE, quarantine, semester restarts, etc. Every dollar truly helps! God bless each of you, - Destiny

I received this email from Rachael this last week. She spoke of her miracle in the final line of her email. :) Dear Destiny, Thank you for this information. I have been so busy with my internship. There have been a lot of assignments. And also, the internet cafe is a little far from my placement center. We are now summarizing our market research activities, then finally conclude with report writing. I have forwarded this information to my School and I believe they received it. The other good news is, that, I met a Doctor who has been working on my legs for the last one month, as u know, I used to move on a wheelchair, but now I can even support myself on crutches!!! Such a miracle for me. You can see from the photos I have sent you in this email. Thank you. Rachael I asked her if she would be willing to share a bit more about her story and she replied with this. Hello Destiny, My life as a Deaf and also living with this Paralysis has never been simple. With a lot of criticism and Stigma from within the community. Being not able to move and also hear was the reason. A number of times in the past, felt like life was meaningless. But something kept telling me to move on. To cut it short, When I joined Tabora Institute, We had students from other School who came to visit our Department. This is when one of them contacted me if I could allow her ask me a few questions! At first she thought I would be offended by her questions, she didn't know sign language well, so, she talked to one of my instructors for some few minutes. My instructor came with a smile on the face and informed me that, the student visitor was there to help, but first needed to know a few things. After a few interview(regarding my health and of course my Legs), she took her phone and talked to someone. She told me I would soon receive a special visitor. She never told me who the visitor was, All I thought was, I would receive a Visitor from The Deaf Dream. In less than three days, the doctor came and explained himself to me. He got permission from the school and we were given a sickbay in the school clinic, where he has been doing something he referred (wrote to me) to as Physiotherapy. This has been on a daily basis. He taught our school nurse to do a few every morning, while he comes every evening. That's how I started picking up This has given me more courage and comfort on top of my current education. I see some future in me! I no longer feel so hopeless like before. This is just another Blessing through The Deaf Dream Scholarship! Without your scholarship, I wouldn't be at this School. Thank you Destiny, May you be blessed Thank you again! Rachael.

I came across this photo of Khiem recently. Khiem was our first scholarship recipient and since graduation, he has continually mentored the next generation of Vietnamese Deaf community leaders! I just wanted to share this photo moment with you! - Destiny

Jennifer is following in Victoria's footsteps (Deaf Dreamer #2) to become a teacher of the Deaf in Ghana! Victoria's mentor, Emmanuel, recommended her for the scholarship. He explained that Jennifer's father passed away in 2018 and her single mother is now the sole bread-winner for three children. Jennifer wrote me saying, "My dad passed away two years ago so my mum is a single parent and she has three children, a trader of second hand clothing and always tried to take care of us (children). Sometimes, she felt sick and hard to get the money to take care of us. I plead you to support...further education completely so that I would be able to earn a living." Upon receiving her scholarship and starting school at the Presbyterian College of Education, Victoria sent us this letter: After her first term, she sent us a beautiful thank you video! You can SEE her growing confidence and hope for the future! The transcript of what she is signing is written below: "Dear Destiny and all my Sponsors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, Destiny and all my Sponsors. You have the biggest heart by showing me your sincere kindness and encouragement to pursue my dream, even though we are having challenges with COVID-19. Dr Aggrey, a Ghanaian said "If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation." This means that through your efforts I will be able to complete my training to help other deaf who could not get this opportunity. Thank you my sponsors for touching lives and changing lives in our society. I promise to learn hard to make you all proud. All that you are doing for me will not be in vain. I value all the monies that you are paying for me. I love you so much. God richly bless you." Thank you again for your donations to support Deaf Dreamers like Jennifer. What a miracle to associate with these uplifting leaders and see their impact on their countries and communities! With gratitude, Destiny

In July of 2020, Bonny applied to The Deaf Dream for a scholarship. In the course of our correspondence, he shared that in 2018, his father was assassinated by the government for his political affiliation. Bonny is now studying to become a plumber and wants to start a business to train and provide work for others in his Deaf community in Rwanda. This work will include plumbing and a shoe making project he describes in his email below. Here is the video he sent expressing his gratitude for the scholarship: I am consistently amazed at the strength of these Deaf Dreamers and their desire to not only live a meaningful life, but to help others in their journeys as well! It is such a blessing to associate with these spiritual giants! - Destiny

In August of 2020, Esther applied to The Deaf Dream for a scholarship with encouragement from Patricia (Deaf Dreamer #5). As of early 2021, she is studying creative arts with the dream of partnering with the British Council Creative Arts Program "to bring the Deaf to light!" She wrote in her application, "Very few Deaf have managed to go to School. Many Deaf are illiterate in our country. The Deaf are not offered jobs even after education. The tribal conflicts between the two tribes, Hutu and Tutsi makes it hard for the Deaf to study in Rwanda. A reason why I was taken to study in Kisoro School for the Deaf." This is Esther's video that she included with her application. Esther is finishing up her second semester. Thank you for your support and for donating to these Deaf Dreamers! I cannot thank you enough for your help, especially during COVID. God bless, - Destiny

With recommendations from Kelai and Phina (two other Deaf Dreamers), Scovia applied to The Deaf Dream in January of 2021. Kelai Moses (Deaf Dreamer #7) knows Scovia from when he also lived in the Bidibidi refugee camp on the border of South Sudan and Uganda. (This is the largest refugee camp in the world.) In the course of my correspondence with Scovia and from the recommendation letters submitted by others in her community and family, I learned more about Scovia's story. Scovia is a twin but her sister passed away from cholera when they were 7 years old. In 2013, Scovia's father was taken to the "Blue House" center with other political opponents and has never returned. Her mother was forced to marry a soldier but was able to escape during the fire exchange between SPLM and the Rebels. She was found by the UN Peace Keepers and taken as a refugee to Bidibidi refugee camp where they lived until 2018. Due to extreme war conditions in South Sudan, there are no Deaf schools. (The only Deaf schools were destroyed by the Rebels.) Once in the Bidibidi refugee camp, she was sponsored by a Brother Elio to attend the Ikwera School for the Deaf. Tragically, Brother Elio died from COVID-19 this last year which ended her studies until Kelai recommended her for a Deaf Dream scholarship. Scovia was able to visit a Deaf school in Uganda. I absolutely LOVE her smile in this photo. You see her hope and determination to build a school for the Deaf in South Sudan! She is eager to become a teacher so she can teach sign language to others in her Deaf community. As of May 2021, she is currently studying in Uganda at the school where Kelai and Phina are attending! I cannot wait to see what she will do with this scholarship. Thank YOU for donating and supporting Scovia! - Destiny

Hello everyone - I wanted to inform you of the current situation with The Deaf Dream scholarships. (And about Victoria's good news, see the video below!) With extra costs due to COVID changes (PPE and quarantine costs, additional semesters, government requirements changed, etc.), we will not be giving out any new scholarships this year. Please continue to invite students to apply but let them know there will be a delay in awarding scholarships. Your recent donations this last year have truly been a Godsend and we should have enough to finish out the degrees of each of the students. (Your prayers are welcome!) Please know that I always make sure to set aside more than enough for each student's degree at the start of their studies but we have had some big setbacks the last couple of months with a couple of country governments now requiring additional semesters to graduate due to COVID interruptions. Again, thank you to those of you who have "happened" to donate during this time. I do not believe in coincidences so thank you! On a happier note, Victoria was selected by Dr. Lissa Ramirez-Stapleton to receive 25 copies of their book about the Black Deaf Community! (Fun fact: Lissa is a fellow Semester at Sea alumna! :) ) Victoria sent a thank you video to Lissa that I know you all would enjoy! VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_5H78pF_A1I Thank you! - Destiny Destiny Yarbro Founder & CEO www.thedeafdream.org

Hello friends - Nearly all our students have had to put their studies on hold during COVID with only a few able to attend in person or online. But, I think what has lifted my soul the most during this hard year has been to learn of how our Deaf Dreamers are helping and serving in their communities. Their resiliency and determination to move forward in chaos is truly inspiring! I just wanted to share a few examples of the latest realities and successes of these courageous leaders: 1. Amuge was FINALLY given permission to graduate in Uganda! All her effort over the last several years and her determination despite COVID restrictions and delays has paid off. ​Watch the video of her graduation journey here and comment below the video with your congratulations to her! (And turn on Closed Captioning CC to read what she is signing.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81t2u1fRUyg&feature=youtu.be 2. Khiem has been serving his Deaf community in Vietnam by delivering COVID emergency packs. Through donations from the community, his Deaf group put 23 kits in the hands of the most needy. The kits included 10 kg of rice, 2 liters of cooking oil, 2 packs of soup powder, 2 kg of granulated sugar, 4 packs of noodles, 10 masks, 1 environmental protection bag, and 1,000,000 Vietnamese dong (about $41 USD). 3. Phina made 156 facemasks in Uganda and donated them to Jerry's organization Deaf in Action to have them distributed to Deaf families in need. 4. Jerry's organization Deaf in Action is busily meeting COVID needs. In addition to distributing Phina's facemasks, Jerry has been busy collecting food donations for those in the Deaf and disability communities who have been especially hit hard during the pandemic. ​Jerry wrote in his latest email: "I'm happy to inform you that we were among the few communities to receive food relief from our Sub-county headquarters.We recently sent our request to friends and other organisations to fund or provide us with food relief and thank God we were invited to receive 55Kgs Beans. This will support 11 households of PWDs [People with Disabilities] and the elderly. This has cut down our budget by UGX 275,000 and also, we have Maize flour of 180 that will support 36 households. We thank everyone for their endeavours to help. A number of Deaf and elderly communities are starving and we at Deaf In Action can't just sit and see them die of hunger." 5. After being in two sessions of quarantine (one in Uganda and the next in Kenya), Patricia was able to return home and study. Like two other Deaf Dreamers, she has been able to continue her studies but does so from home with the cutest lil' Teacher's Assistant I ever did see! :) ​ 6. Oryem, as always, has been involved in every one of the projects listed above (except for Khiem's). His long-awaited schooling has been delayed and delayed again because of COVID. So, true to his character, he has helped collect donations, get Phina's masks to Jerry, share his laptop with Kelai, and provide much needed food to the starving Deaf students in Uganda. ​ You can read / watch the stories of our other students at https://www.thedeafdream.org - just click on "STUDENT UPDATES." Thank you for your role in these student's lives. You have been so generous in sponsoring these students, I hope you feel how sweet a blessing it is to see how they are using that gift for good! Merry CHRISTmas, my friends - Destiny Destiny Yarbro Founder & CEO www.thedeafdream.org The Deaf Dream is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 100% of your donations go to the students. P.S. Keep an eye out for my next email. I am putting together a happy video that I think y'all will really enjoy! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81t2u1fRUyg&feature=youtu.be Please comment below the video on YouTube to congratulate her on her accomplishment. This has been a long, hard road ESPECIALLY because of COVID. Way to go, Amuge! Destiny

Dear friends - This morning I received a thank you video from Victoria in Ghana. I don't know if my heart can take much more joy; she is a Deaf Dreamer and most certainly a Deaf achiever! Her long-awaited graduation didn't go as planned due to COVID, but she has received her degree and is moving forward in optimism. Watch out world; here she comes! :) My graduation gift was to create a video of her education journey from her first application video to her graduation. My hope is that you will also feel of her contagious strength, enthusiasm, and determination! Please, please, comment under the YouTube video below so she can read your congratulations! It'll just take a second and mean the world to her! WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c-Gz7XraJ8 *TURN ON THE CLOSED CAPTIONS TO READ ENGLISH SUBTITLES* Thank you, each of you, for your support and encouragement! Victoria is one of the strongest women I know and I imagine you feel like I do, just grateful to join her in a part of her journey. Thank you for taking a moment to wish her well! As Victoria says in her final video, may God richly bless all of you! - Destiny Destiny Yarbro Founder & CEO www.thedeafdream.org The Deaf Dream is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 100% of your donations go to the students.

If you are particularly interested in learning of one student's journey, you can pop over to that student's journey page and see all their updates! I've tried to make the website more mobile-friendly, so let me know if there are any glitches. Just click on a students name or photo below to read/watch their latest news. I’ll add our new students as they are given scholarships and the pages will automatically update with any new posts I make. Enjoy! :) Khiem Victoria Jerry Amuge Patricia Phina Kelai Oryem Rachael Alfred