Get STW's Van Back on The Road
Donation protected
The video displays how the Deaf community works together to build this sprinter van.
My name is Calvin Young, I launched Seek the World in 2015 to inspire people in Deaf communities from all over the world to travel on their own. For last three years and a half, I have visited 60 countries, 47 states, and 70+ Deaf schools internationally also produced over 500+ educational videos seen by millions of people from all walks of life all under Seek the World.
Seek the World’s mission has always been clear from the start: Connecting people around the world by creating content to provide travel resources and spread awareness about the Deaf community. Can learn more at www.seektheworld.com or www.facebook.com/seektheworld

In 2017, Seek The World took a different direction when we purchased a van with the goal to travel famous roadways across America and collect, produce, and share countless stories from interesting deaf individuals and businesses. Seek the World shared traveling experiences of visiting Deaf schools throughout their journey in the USA: Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, St. Mary’s, Phoenix, Louisiana, Kansas, and Rocky Mountain Schools for the deaf, Florida and Alaska Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Seek the World intends to continue visiting the remaining Deaf schools in this country!
This is the beginning of a closer look at what makes the Deaf community in America great and to share high-quality content with our audience. We hope to continue to continue to bring everything to the Deaf community and the rest of our audience free of charge. So far we have traveled through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and for the rest of 2018 & 2019, we want to visit all states!
Seek the world's first van has experienced a massive setback during our journey through Colorado, about 4 months since we set off in the van, the engine blew up on us.
A Deaf mechanic explained the reason why my engine exploded.
The cause was due to a lack of oil inside the piston which created heat from its friction. Even though we are sure we put enough oil in. It was the oil pumping that did not function properly. A mechanic regretfully informed me that if I had the ability to hear, this could have been prevented.

The Mechanics cringed and notified us the cost of replacing the engine is approx $18,000. Higher than anything we expected this early on, and unfortunately, out of our budget as well.

I had a hard decision to make, do we somehow salvage this van? If so how? The van was given with love, passion, and spirit within the Deaf community. It was customized and built by the Deaf community: Texas School for the Deaf students and teachers, families, friends, and Deaf-owned businesses. It took us 4 months to build the sprinter van, in those 4 months, it became more than just a van, it is a part of the deaf community.

The last thing I want to do is want to ask for money, but after an outcry from our audience offering suggestions, the most listed one was to setup a gofundme page, so I went ahead and set one up and am asking for $12,000 from the community. I believe it’s important to listen what the Deaf community asks.

Cost wise, Sorenson, one of my 2018 sponsors, has pledged to match $5,000 to Seek The World in a donation, which means the community donates $5,000, they will match the amount. Let’s work together to make the funds enough to get the van back on the road.
Introducing the four Deaf mechanics <3
Also, four Deaf mechanics kindly offered their help to replace the engine. The goal is to gather Deaf mechanics from their states to one of the four Deaf mechanics’ auto garage in Greeley, Colorado. Part of the fund will cover the tool shipping, flight, and meal expenses for those 4 Deaf mechanics.
Cost for building the sprinter van:
Deaf mechanics are working on some engine options, but what we've gathered so far:
1. Diesel (Benz) engine: $9,000 - $12,000
2. Flying two Deaf mechanics: $700+
3. Shipping the 150 lbs tool: $150 - $300
4. Covering food for the weekend: $250
5. Oil pressure kit and tools: $300 - $500
6. Additional expense: up to $1,000
If by chance this fund happens to cross the $12,000 mark. I will ensure the rest of the money is given back to the deaf community in creative ways.
What we will continue to do in return long term, Seek the World will work harder than ever to bring new sources of knowledge, inspirations, and faith in providing the best we can to the deaf community, and to educate the hearing community of our potential to break all barriers.
Short term, Seek the world will resume it’s journey across America, share those interesting stories with high-level quality that'll make you fall in love with these individuals even though you've never met them.
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated, and I will continue to share stories and updates of the van and its progress over social media. If you can't afford to help, no problem, you can also help in another way by sharing this with your friends and family.
The splinter van’s engine will be restored with the help of the deaf community and Seek The World will resume its journey.
Sincerely,
Calvin Young, owner of Seek The World
My name is Calvin Young, I launched Seek the World in 2015 to inspire people in Deaf communities from all over the world to travel on their own. For last three years and a half, I have visited 60 countries, 47 states, and 70+ Deaf schools internationally also produced over 500+ educational videos seen by millions of people from all walks of life all under Seek the World.
Seek the World’s mission has always been clear from the start: Connecting people around the world by creating content to provide travel resources and spread awareness about the Deaf community. Can learn more at www.seektheworld.com or www.facebook.com/seektheworld
In 2017, Seek The World took a different direction when we purchased a van with the goal to travel famous roadways across America and collect, produce, and share countless stories from interesting deaf individuals and businesses. Seek the World shared traveling experiences of visiting Deaf schools throughout their journey in the USA: Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, St. Mary’s, Phoenix, Louisiana, Kansas, and Rocky Mountain Schools for the deaf, Florida and Alaska Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Seek the World intends to continue visiting the remaining Deaf schools in this country!

This is the beginning of a closer look at what makes the Deaf community in America great and to share high-quality content with our audience. We hope to continue to continue to bring everything to the Deaf community and the rest of our audience free of charge. So far we have traveled through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and for the rest of 2018 & 2019, we want to visit all states!
Seek the world's first van has experienced a massive setback during our journey through Colorado, about 4 months since we set off in the van, the engine blew up on us.
A Deaf mechanic explained the reason why my engine exploded.
The cause was due to a lack of oil inside the piston which created heat from its friction. Even though we are sure we put enough oil in. It was the oil pumping that did not function properly. A mechanic regretfully informed me that if I had the ability to hear, this could have been prevented.
The Mechanics cringed and notified us the cost of replacing the engine is approx $18,000. Higher than anything we expected this early on, and unfortunately, out of our budget as well.
I had a hard decision to make, do we somehow salvage this van? If so how? The van was given with love, passion, and spirit within the Deaf community. It was customized and built by the Deaf community: Texas School for the Deaf students and teachers, families, friends, and Deaf-owned businesses. It took us 4 months to build the sprinter van, in those 4 months, it became more than just a van, it is a part of the deaf community.
The last thing I want to do is want to ask for money, but after an outcry from our audience offering suggestions, the most listed one was to setup a gofundme page, so I went ahead and set one up and am asking for $12,000 from the community. I believe it’s important to listen what the Deaf community asks.
Cost wise, Sorenson, one of my 2018 sponsors, has pledged to match $5,000 to Seek The World in a donation, which means the community donates $5,000, they will match the amount. Let’s work together to make the funds enough to get the van back on the road.
Introducing the four Deaf mechanics <3
Also, four Deaf mechanics kindly offered their help to replace the engine. The goal is to gather Deaf mechanics from their states to one of the four Deaf mechanics’ auto garage in Greeley, Colorado. Part of the fund will cover the tool shipping, flight, and meal expenses for those 4 Deaf mechanics.
Cost for building the sprinter van:
Deaf mechanics are working on some engine options, but what we've gathered so far:
1. Diesel (Benz) engine: $9,000 - $12,000
2. Flying two Deaf mechanics: $700+
3. Shipping the 150 lbs tool: $150 - $300
4. Covering food for the weekend: $250
5. Oil pressure kit and tools: $300 - $500
6. Additional expense: up to $1,000
If by chance this fund happens to cross the $12,000 mark. I will ensure the rest of the money is given back to the deaf community in creative ways.
What we will continue to do in return long term, Seek the World will work harder than ever to bring new sources of knowledge, inspirations, and faith in providing the best we can to the deaf community, and to educate the hearing community of our potential to break all barriers.
Short term, Seek the world will resume it’s journey across America, share those interesting stories with high-level quality that'll make you fall in love with these individuals even though you've never met them.
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated, and I will continue to share stories and updates of the van and its progress over social media. If you can't afford to help, no problem, you can also help in another way by sharing this with your friends and family.
The splinter van’s engine will be restored with the help of the deaf community and Seek The World will resume its journey.
Sincerely,
Calvin Young, owner of Seek The World
Organizer
Calvin Young
Organizer
Austin, TX
