Last night marked a milestone for Deafkidz International as we hosted our inaugural sign and wine event, a vibrant fusion of wine tasting and learning BSL. Born from our popular Sign and Dine events, this unique experience drew together wine enthusiasts and supporters for an evening that was as educational as it was entertaining.
A Curated Wine Journey
The evening featured a guided tasting of six carefully selected South African wines, with guests sampling three reds and three whites. Henry Butler from Butler’s Wine Cellar led the tasting, charming the audience with his wisdom and infectious enthusiasm.
Merging Wine and Sign Language
Adding an innovative twist to the tasting, our star supporter and Sign and Dine facilitator, Caroline Palmer—co-founder of Talking Hands Coffee Shop and Studio—introduced guests to a series of BSL signs linked to tasting notes. Guests received BSL fingerspelling sheets to take home, ensuring that the learning continued beyond the event. It was wonderful to observe the keen interest as hearing guests practised these new signs.
The success of the event is a testament to the power of community engagement in supporting deaf children and families. The funds raised contribute to our vital programmes, including DeafKidz Goal! and DeafKidz Defenders, enabling us to continue our life-changing work across the globe. We extend our deep thanks to Henry, Caroline, and the dedicated volunteers Alife and Ellie whose contributions were instrumental in making the night a resounding success.
Looking Ahead
Due to the success of Sign and Wine, we are already planning our next event! Future events will explore new wine regions and introduce additional signs. To stay informed about upcoming events and initiatives, please sign up for our newsletter.
If you were unable to attend but would like to support our mission, donations are warmly welcomed.
Would you like more information on Sign and Dine? Take a look!