Cha'nel's Frontrunners Journey

Kia ora!

NZSL: https://youtu.be/Q4tM_r-pZxY

I have been accepted in the next round of Frontrunners starting in Sept 2024. This International Deaf Studies Leadership program runs for 9 months (Sept-May).

My Why:

As many of you know I have a big passion for bringing awareness and visibility about what means to be Deaf, Māori, Queer across all spaces. That we can do whatever we set our minds too. This year I will also start my Masters program, my end goal is to write about Māori Deaf/ Turi Māori communities. I know I will have so much offered to me about Indigenous Māori perspectives, but what about Deaf perspectives? Deaf worldviews? Deaf experiences outside New Zealand Aotearoa? I felt Frontrunners will be able to offer me these things and more. I want to come back having filled my kete with knowledge to do my community and writing justice. I know I will come back all geared up to then finish my Masters program.

During this time I will be expected to cover the program fees, monthly living cost, personal project period, extra travel, and of course kai. I will be unable to take up work during this time so I am going to hustle hard and save every penny I can too!

Frontrunners is a once in a life time opportunity and I am very grateful, excited, scared and raving to be able to go.

Any donations to this page will go towards my time away from home. Any costs before for example: travel to Denmark, visa costs, and insurance will be covered by myself and other fundraising opportunities!