Participants


	Alim Chandani Program Coordinator Alim Chandani graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) with a B.S. in New Media and E-Business and from New York University with a M.A. in Deafness Rehabilitation and Higher Education. Alim is now working towards obtaining his doctorate degree in Administration and Supervision in Special Education at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. In 2005, Alim was a human rights delegate for Global Youth Connect with fellow delegates in Cambodia. Inspired by this experience, he conceived the idea of providing cross-cultural programs for American deaf youth within developing countries. Thus, the concept of GRO was born. Presently, Alim has a specific mission and vision and carefully plans each trip in furtherance of GRO's goals. He constantly looks for ways to create and enrich global networks between deaf communities and seeks the long-term success of these connections.
	Sofia Siliezar Assistant Coordinator (Program Coordinator) Ana Sofia became hard of hearing due to a side effect of high fever and grew up in Guatemala City, Guatemala for a few years from 1984 until moving to the United States and settling in Northern Virginia a few years later . Ana Sofia attended public schools from middle school to high school in Fairfax, Virginia, and then went to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) because of its deaf support services and the great reputation of its CO-OP programs. Sofia was introduced to Global Reach Out (GRO) by Charles Sterling in 2007. The staff members of GRO then contacted her to gather more information about her experiences growing up deaf in Guatemala, after talking with GRO, Sofia became motivated to participate in the Guatemala delegation. She feels that it is a great opportunity for her to gain the skills of leadership, helping others, and teaching Deaf Guatemalans. She had the hope for Deaf Guatemalans to become accomplished with education, jobs, and human rights. Ana Sofia graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in August 2009 and aims to work in the area of Accounting and Human Resources.
	Christopher Samp GRO Delegate Christopher Samp is a native from Troy, Michigan. When he was found jamming everyday with loud music at the age 2, his parents found out that he was born deaf and decided to give him hearing aids so things could be quieter again. He grew up in mainstreamed schools as the only deaf student among his classmates. He went onto higher education at Rochester Institute of Technology so he could have the best of both deaf and hearing world. With many international experiences and educational background in Public Policy and International Relations from RIT, he is ready to take on the challenging issues that the developing countries face today. "I joined GRO: Guatemala because I want to utilize my Public Policy skills to help the members of the deaf community in Guatemala by teaching them how to become advocates for equality and access to better education and to improve their working environment." In his spare time, he loves to spend time with friends and nature by camping and traveling. As for his favorite music genres, he usually listens to Jazz, Classical, and New Age.
	Peter Csiszar GRO Delegate Peter Csiszar was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He is a Biotechnology major. Peter participated in the GRO Thailand 2008 program and his experience was "unbelievable" and he would like to continue this by participating in a GRO program again. In his free time, he loves playing any type of racquet sports, watching movies, skiing, and gaming.
	Stephanie Pizzo GRO Delegate Stephanie Pizzo, 20, is from Dearborn, Michigan. She is a third-year student at National Technical Institute for the Deaf / Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in Accounting. She enjoys traveling and learning new things. The reason she decided to join GRO is that she loves to help others and learn about their lifestyles. Taking this opportunity, she says, will help her change her life by exploring for the first time outside of the United States. She looks forward to learning about Guatemala and its culture.
	Stephen Persinger GRO Delegate Stephen Persinger is a Criminal Justice student at Rochester Institute of Technology. He was born hearing, and was struck sick with meningitis at 9 months old, which is how he became deaf. At 2 and a half years old, he got a cochlear implant. Stephen has been mainstreamed his whole life. As he grew up, he realized that he loved traveling. He went to Japan for three weeks as part of a student exchange program when he was 12 years old. It was a life-changing experience, and ever since then, he wanted to see what other parts of the world are like.
	Alvaro de Leon Espinoza Host Delegate Born in Antigua, Guatemala, Alvaro became deaf at age 2 through sickness. He graduated from high school in Accounting. Georgetown University and US AID sponsored him to attend Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, PA for two years. He graduated with an Associate degree in Computers and Business, then moved back to Antigua. He is teaching sign language to hearing people in Antigua. Alvaro is also writing a book about Guatemala Sign Language, and he is a tour guide for deaf and hearing people in Antigua. He joined GRO because he wanted to support the deaf and encourage Guatemala deaf people to get a better education, in addition to collaborating with them to improve deaf rights in Guatemala.
	David Jonathan Pappa Solorzauo Host Delegate Born deaf in Izabal, Guatemala, he received a certificate in Mechanics. After a bad experience of drinking alcohol, a couple from El Salvador rescued him and educated him about God and becoming a better person. He was grateful for the experience. He joined the "Door Americano" missionary in Costa Rica for one year. Now he is a story-teller to the deaf people in Guatemela City, telling stories from the bible. He also teaches sign language to about 50 deaf pupils at Jutiapa, Guatemala. He joined GRO because he wanted to get more support by working together to improve the life standards for the deaf people in Guatemala.
	Gustavo Alexander Orellana Host Delegate Gustavo was born hearing in Escuintla, Guatemala, and became deaf within few months through a sickness. He attended a Christian deaf school. At age 17, he want to Costa Rica for three years to finish high school through a sponsorship. However, he couldn't finish high school because the money was not available for two years. Finally, he returned and finished high school. At the same time, he was taught to become a Pastor and officially became a deaf pastor in 2004. He is actively involved by doing missions in Antigua and teaches intensive bible study to Deaf people in Guatemala City. He joined GRO because he is curious about what GRO does and how he can apply to his experience to other deaf Guatemalans.
	Sandra Patricia Barrera Larios Host Delegate Sandra was born deaf in Guatemala City. At age 8, she started to learn Flamingo dancing. When she was 12, she went to a higher dance program where she could be trained to become an expert in Flamingo dancing. At 17 years old, she was honored to be able to perform Guatemala cultural dancing in Spain and Portugal. Now, she has obtained a certificate in teaching and she teaches in kindergarten kids. She also teaches Flamingo dancing to a special education foundation school and a deaf school. Sandra joined GRO because she wanted to be a responsible citizen by being a role model to other Guatemala deaf people. She wants to learn new ideas on how to promote deaf awareness to people in Guatemala.