ASL Summer Camp in the U.S. for Deaf Tajik Teens

Teaching Deaf Tajikistan youth American Sign Language and introducing them to new experiences has been the highlight of my time in the capital city of Dushanbe. As with many Deaf people, their families don’t sign, family events are isolating, and opportunities of any kind are zero to none.

I have been teaching this wonderful group of young people since January 2024. They are bright, enthusiastic, and have learned and use ASL like it’s their first language. It’s a beautiful thing to see.

My hope is to send them to the ASL immersion camp at Gallaudet University in the summer of 2025. The week-long camp is designed for new signers who are at the beginner or intermediate level. The camp caters to Deaf and hard of hearing students entering 10th – 12th grade, which is the grade level of my students.

Raising the funds to send them to camp will give them many first experiences like flying on a plane! It will be life-changing for my students who had no concept that Deaf people can do anything.

By making a donation, you too will be part of changing Zalina, Maryam, Ahdiya, Benazir, and Khayrullo’s lives.

Thank you so much!!