Participants

Feeling blessed to have been deaf since birth, Sarah graduated with a B.F.A. in Visual Media from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2007. While at RIT, she was actively involved in the campus community, participating in various organizations. Sarah was involved in endeavors such as performing and assisting with the production of the women empowering performance of the Vagina Monologues, serving as the President of a women's club called the Doves, and as the National Technical Institute for the Deaf's Student Congress President as well. GRO is near and dear to the heart as she was a former delegate in the Thailand 2007 program and a Team Leader for the India 2007 program. It was through GRO that she finally decided to join the Peace Corps as a Volunteer. She currently serves in Kenya as a Deaf Education Volunteer at the Mtwapa Special Unit in Mtwapa town, which is north of Mobasa in the Coast Province. So, of course, she is THRILLED to introduce GRO to the beautiful Mother Kenya! Karibu sana!

Aaron Delbruegge, hails from St. Louis, Missouri, a big town with an unique flavor to it. He attended an oral-based deaf school, and was mainstreamed up to his second year of college. Yet that did not stop Aaron from interacting with all deaf and Deaf people throughout his life -- he gives kudos to his mother and other people in his life. On that same note, Aaron joined many Deaf organizations and clubs such as teen clubs and summer camps around St. Louis and Missouri allowing him to embrace his identity as a Deaf individual and familiarity to sign language early on. That same passion translated into a social awareness for the advancement of his fellow Deaf citizens whether it was communication access issues or job-related discrimination. Aaron started by joining the Missouri/Kansas Teen Institute for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing at 12 years old, a camp promoting education of relationships, drug/alcohol, and Deaf issues. He stayed with that program for the next twelve years, working his way up from intern to Activities Coordinator. After searching for the right college environment, Aaron settled on RIT after three other schools. There were numerous majors tacked on to his transcript reflecting his myriad interests such as Biology and History. Aaron graduated May 2008 with a B.S. in Food Management. So, as you might guess, he is currently employed in the culinary field at home in Missouri. RIT allowed him an opportunity he could not pass up--GRO and international travel! Aaron was one of the delegates to INDIA 2007, and boy, what an experience that was for him! To sum it all, he was changed down to his core. He realized many things such as how each individual on this planet does have an impact on others on the other side of the globe. He looks forward to learning the Deaf Experience in another region of the world--Africa and Kenya, in this case. It is important for American Deaf citizens to realize that they do hold the torch for the rest of the world in terms of how we achieved our present status of ACCESS, though it could still be improved. It is a social obligation for those educated and experienced to go out in the world and spread EMPOWERMENT to those who previously thought their dreams and hopes unreachable. Aaron feels up to that task, and he is optimistic about Kenya 2009.

I just received my Masters in Deaf Education at Gallaudet University and am currently working as a high school mathematics teacher at California School for the Deaf in Fremont, California. This will be my first experience participating in a non-profit organization overseas and I am just thrilled to have the opportunity to do it in India. To be able to become more involved with and learn about powerful issues that impact the deaf community related to education and their rights as people, this experience will empower me to carry what I learn from this back to my school's International Studies program and the community. When I'm not busy conforming my students to the likes of numbers, I enjoy traveling, international cuisine, being in the company of great friends, and outdoor activities.

I am currently a fourth-year student at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I am studying at the Center for Multidisciplinary Studies. Psychology, sociology and Deaf education are my areas of concentration. I was born in Queens, New York City and moved to Tenafly, New Jersey at the age of 10. Besides academics, I am the Asian Deaf Club (ADC) Vice-President, as well as a Team Leader for the upcoming GRO delegation in Thailand 2008. In my spare time, I enjoy playing sports, snowboarding, reading, watching movies and traveling. I have touched three countries so far and my goal is to travel to many more. Also, I have participated in three different programs under GRO: Thailand 2007, India 2007, and soon to be Thailand 2008.

I am currently a senior at the College of Applied Science and Technology studying Travel Management and Business at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. I am originally from Liberia, West Africa. I grew up there until 7 years old and moved to California. I like to travel in many different places especially overseas! I grew up going to camp about 14 miles away from Yosemite, CA. As for my spare time, I like to go out with friends, hiking, camping, reading Holy Bible, and spending time with God and also especially my family.

I am first year student studying at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Currently, I am an undecided major, however I am still thinking about Global Communication. Global Communication could help me travel to different parts of the world and help their Deaf community and academics. I love to be involved with many activities in both academic and extracurricular. I love to teach dancing for Dynamic Dymes Dynasty (3D), where I also help assist with Hindi dance styles: Chutney and Soca. I like to help others, and love to play with children and teach them how to sign. I also like to do some cooking. I am enjoying myself to be anywhere because I like to be involved with many different communities. I love learning new things so that I can experience and meet new people. I really am very active and full of enthusiasm.

Katie Cue, or KT as most know her, was born and raised in Colorado. After graduating from the University of Colorado with her B.A. degree in English, she obtained a master's degree in deaf education at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She then relocated to the Washington, D.C. area where she worked for a couple years as a high school English teacher before leaving to explore other opportunities. While at RIT, KT connected with Alim Chandani and other members of GRO and decided to participate in the GRO Bangalore, India delegation in 2007. The experience inspired her so much that she went to Thailand in 2008 as a team leader for GRO's second delegation there and subsequently became the Social Media Director. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, snowboarding, and traveling to far-flung places!

My name is Mia Sanchez. I am a Caribbean woman from New York City. I will graduate in 2008 with a Bachelor's Degree. I describe myself as a very creative and friendly person. I like to read, write, and do artwork. I do both indoor and outdoor activities for fun. Recently, I went bungee jumping in Costa Rica! I enjoy meeting and helping people. For GRO, I am very motivated to learn something new from the Thailand students. Also, I look forward to making a positive difference while working with other delegates.