Activity Report > January - March 2007 January to March 2007, Activity report From "Family Care" Coimbatore, South India INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - 8th MARCH Family Care conducted Women's Day for deaf women in and around Coimbatore on the 8th of March, 2007 commemorating the International Women's day. About 50 deaf women from 5 cities of Tamilnadu and Karnataka attended this first-time event specifically geared to deaf women on this spectacular day. Family Care conducted an interactive audio-visual presentation featuring the history of women's day and the role of women in ancient and modern India. It was indeed an eye-opener to realize how far the Indian women have come and where they are heading. The day was interspersed with games, snacks, lunch, competitions and the movie, Miracle Worker, which is the life story of deaf-blind Helen Keller and her governess Anne Sullivan. Rangoli ( Beautiful and colorful drawings and designs in front of houses that are usually a traditional custom to welcome people and God) and Hair braiding competitions were conducted for 2 hours and most of the women participated in Rangoli competition in teams of two and three and presented master pieces of colorful beauty. Three participants displayed eye-catching hair braiding styles which showed creativity and innovation. The day ended with giving away of prizes for the winners in the competitions and certificates of participation and a red rose for all. The women's day programme was created, planned and executed by the core group of deaf women that Family Care has been training the last year. They performed skits on unity and changing the world day by day and challenged the deaf women to make a difference which is one of the objectives of Family Care - to make the deaf independent and self sufficient. SOUTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR DEAF YOUTH - 14th - 18th March Family Care conducted 8th South Regional Conference for deaf youth at Kodaikanal. 20 attendees from 5 cities of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu participated in the 4-day seminar, which highlighted classes on powerpoint slide shows, quiz, questionnaire, group discussions and time for reflection and interaction. The last day of the seminar was reserved for a picnic and sight seeing in Kodaikanal. Every evening found a slot for interactive games and entertainment activities. The movie, The Guardian, was shown and signed which portrays the life of a coast guard and those that he trains and the vigorous training that each one undergoes in order to graduate as a coast guard and the motive to save another's life was very heart-touching, motivating the attendees to be good, caring and sacrificial leaders and lessons such as team working and commitment to help others were drawn from the movie. ONGOING CLASSES FOR DEAF YOUTH Classes have been conducted regularly once a week for about 50 deaf boys and girls in 5 cities and for 15 deaf youth (the core group) twice a week in Coimbatore and classes for deaf women once a week. Marriage counseling has been a key focus as more and more deaf have been getting married, some to hearing spouses and some to deaf spouses. We have also been able to purchase a digital camera for use for the deaf to document their projects and progress. The four core instructors have also been receiving training in accounting, marketing, banking and finance management. WOMEN'S DAY Celebration Family Care conducted Women's Day for deaf women in and around Coimbatore on the 8th of March, 2007 commemorating the International Women's day. About 50 deaf women from 5 cities of Tamilnadu and Karnataka attended this first-time event specifically geared to deaf women on this spectacular day. CONFERENCE SOUTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR DEAF YOUTH 14th - 18th March Family Care conducted 8th South Regional Conference for deaf youth at Kodaikanal. Ongoing Class Classes have been conducted regularly once a week for about 50 deaf boys and girls in 5 cities and for 15 deaf youth (the core group) twice a week in Coimbatore and classes for deaf women once a week.