Help Digitize Deaf Education in the Philippines

Press Release: NMS Cares spearheads sign language lessons for parents of Deaf kids

NMS Cares recognizes the importance of communication inside the home, especially when it comes to families with Deaf children. It is because of this that the organization has launched a learning program tailor fit for adults, specifically for parents of Deaf children, to kick off its Family Oneness Nurturing the Deaf (FOND) Program.

"This program provides an opportunity for the family, particularly for the parents, to be involved in the education and development of their Deaf child." Ara Paz Esperanza Villanueva, General Manager for NMSC points out.  "Moreover, the program also encourages the parents to be active participants and advocates for the Deaf community."

The parents are expected to learn the basics of local signs adapted from the American Sign Language and Filipino Sign Language. Additionally, there will also be lessons on Signing Exact English throughout the course. The 2-hour daily classes are also peppered with fun filled activities designed to help the parents get integrated into the Deaf world through signing. 

Yvonne Mia Celeste, the organization's External Deaf Education Coordinator is in-charge of the daily lessons. She also serves as an inspiration to the parents of Deaf kids, as she is proof that being profoundly Deaf is never a barrier.

"It is the responsibility of parents of Deaf children to learn how to do sign language for them to be able to communicate effectively with their children." New Media Services Pty. Ltd. CEO Martin Eyking was quoted to saying during his opening remarks last June 23, before NMSC formally started the lessons.

The Family Oneness Nurturing the Deaf (FOND) Program is just a one of the many projects that cater to families with Deaf children. Future projects include seminars on Deafness and open forums, home visits, family events geared toward strengthening the bond of Deaf children and their families, to name just a few.

###

Contact: Sarah Mamaril, Public Relations

sarah@nms-cares.org

Press Release: NMS Cares launches IndieGoGo Crowdfunding Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah Mamaril, Public Relations

NMS Cares

sarah@nms-cares.org

NMS Cares Launches IndieGoGo Crowdfunding Campaign

Committed to fully digitizing Deaf Education in the region, NMS Cares launched a crowdfunding campaign through one of the world's largest open-funding platform IndieGoGo.

The campaign that calls for help in improving the learning experience of less privileged Deaf learners was rooted from the organization's Share-an-iPad campaign that was initially launched in March. The project aim to collect second-hand tablets that will be installed with educational applications that will help the students in their Math and English subjects. As of press time, NMSC has already received six iPad units, three of which are actually brand new, donated by Martin Eyking, CEO of New Media Services and his family.

Through crowdfunding, NMSC hopes to receive online donations to be used for the purchase of more tablets and hit its short term goal of having a one tablet per pupil ratio for the organization’s pilot subject grade level pupils (Ages 3 to 7 years old) from SPED Center Baguio.

Long term, NMSC's goal is to provide one tablet for each Deaf student beneficiary in all grade levels.

A sampling of the perks available for donors on IndieGoGo includes:

• $10 donation - Virtual Hugs and Kisses from the kids at the SPED Center Hearing Impaired Sequence.
• $25 donation - Special online shout-outs on all of NMSC's social media accounts.
• $50 donation - A photo of the Deaf students holding a personalized thank you poster with your name on it
• $150 donation - One of the Deaf kids will sign your name as part of a special thank you video.
• $500 donation - You become an Honorary Member of NMS Cares.

For full details, including video and pictures, visit the campaign at http://igg.me/at/nmscares/x

###

About NMS Cares

NMS CARES’ vision is for Deaf children to reach their dreams. The organization fully commits to advocating for the Deaf children of the community while looking forward to expanding its service all throughout the less privileged young Deaf individuals in the Asia Pacific.

To know more about NMS CARES, please visit http://nms-cares.org or email us at info@nms-cares.org.