Participants

As the Program Coordinator for GRO’s Kenya Program, Norma is thrilled to be returning to Kenya! After graduating in 2000 with a B.S. degree in Professional and Technical Communication from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Norma joined the Peace Corps. She served as a Deaf Education Volunteer in Kenya for three years at a school for the deaf in a tiny town right on the Earth’s equator. Afterward, she obtained a Masters’ degree in International and Training Education from American University in Washington, D.C. As a child, Norma fled a war torn El Salvador, and she strives to give back to the developing world for she had the privilege of growing up in the U.S. that many do not. Norma believes in Marcel Proust’s quote, “The real voyage of discovering does not consist in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

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!

Angela Tinney was born in the heart of Texas. She attended Texas School for the Deaf all her life. She was active in sports and also played soccer with South Austin Youth Soccer Association for several years. Angela also enjoys being outdoors, travel, camping and swimming! In fall 2004, Angela attended Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) and graduated with Bachelor’s degree from College of Imaging Arts and Science. She participated in GRO Kenya 2009 as a U.S. delegate. GRO teamed up with Kenya deaf delegates for a leadership team building program. This was an amazing experience! She wants to continue be part of GRO and is volunteering her time putting together a fund raiser packet for GRO. Angela currently lives in Austin, Texas.

Claudia Anderson was born deaf in St. Louis, MO. Her older brother is also deaf so she had an earlier intervention than most. Claudia went to an oral school through 5th grade, then was mainstreamed for a year before her family moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Claudia went to another mainstream school where, once again, she was the only deaf student, so she learned how to advocate for herself early. Claudia knew she wanted to experience the deaf world so she decided to attend RIT for college. She did not know any sign language other than the ABC's so she went through a bit of culture shock. Claudia went through several majors during her time there, including accounting, criminal justice, and food management. However, she wound up deciding Rochester weather was not for her and transferred to a state school in south Florida, where she studied psychology and minored in history. Unfortunately, Claudia had to withdraw due to extenuating circumstances so she is taking a break from school right now. She moved to DC about a month ago for the summer and is anticipating finishing her degree after all the GRO delegates get back to the states. Claudia doesn't have much experience with international travel other than Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Those were pleasure trips, so she is looking forward to seeing what life is like for the deaf in third world countries and seeing what she can contribute to their awareness. Claudia hopes to join groups to other countries after this trip.

Krishna Madaparthi's nickname is KC, because most people can't spell his whole name! He was born in India and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Krisha is a second year RIT student, majoring in Applied Computer Technology (ACT). Next year, he will transfer to the bachelor's degree program for another four years. Currently, Krishna is working in the RIT Student Life Team (SLT) as a Community Student Advocate (CSA). Krishna attended mainstream schools, Laurentian High School (LHS) and Glebe Colleague Institute (GCI). It was sometimes a challenge to encounter hearing people, but he joined Student Council to represent Deaf students. During high school, he loved to play with children and worked at Summer Sign Fun camp, Ottawa Deaf Centre as a volunteer, and then as a camp counselor, and lastly as camp coordinator over four years. Outside of school, Krishna organized Mayfest, an annual festival for deaf awareness month in Ottawa twice. Krishna transferred to Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in Belleville, Ontario, across the lake from Rochester, NY. He became involved in Student Parliament to become the Prime Minster in his first year at Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf. Krishna became very involved with sports and played on many Deaf teams like volleyball, ball hockey, basketball, baseball, and speed swimming! Actually, his favorite sports are rectangle nests like volleyball, tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Krishna was also Editor of the school yearbook in 2006-2007. Before he graduated, he single handedly planned and hosted a protest to protect deaf children's first language in Canada. He guided his fellow students on a march to City Hall. Huge protests took place in cities all over Canada simultaneously that day. It was one of the greatest moments of Krishna's school year! Krishna can't wait to go to Africa! He loves to travel the world. Kenya, Africa is a good start to travel out of North America!

Originally from Minnesota, Rebecca (Becca) Berman has always been fond of non-profits and grassroots organizations. In the past few years she has worked with over 30 NGOs in the United States and aboard. After graduating from Smith College with a B.A. in Sociology, she moved to D.C. to intern with an organization which mobilized voter participation efforts for the 2006 elections.  Her involvement with GRO began as a delegate for the Kenya 2009 delegation. This experience inspired her to shift gears and work with youth and education. She then spent six months in India teaching dramatic arts to over 200 children in rural Kerala. Several months later she was thrilled to return to India and GRO as an Assistant Program Co-coordinator for the 2010 India delegation in Trivandrum. Becca believes that GRO is an important organization to inspire youth and young deaf adults to realize their dreams and full potential. Outside of GRO, Becca is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Training and Education at American University with a focus on inclusive education in international development.