- Part two : re-evaluating my own approach to child care
Last fall I discovered that the foster system as we know it is entirely unknown in Mongolia. Children are seen as a support system; it is highly uncommon to take a child in, who is not part of one’s family. In the traditional family structure in Mongolia, an elder is supposed to be provided for by the younger members of the family.
Being dependent on and exposed to this harsh land and climate puts people in survival mode non-stop. Taking on a child that is not your own will always have an economic aspect on the host. (Even in the U.S. foster parents get compensated for the care of a child.) The child needs to eat and to be clothed, therefore the foster parents need some recompense.
This is why I wanted ‘my’ kids to have an asset from which they and the foster family would benefit, namely livestock. The past winter busted that concept and set us back. It became obvious that herding is as sensitive to ups and downs as any other job.
With this experience in mind, I decided to keep the numbers of children participating in the program small, but to intensify and personalize the care. Someone has to look at them as individuals and attend to their personal strengths and needs. In short, they need parents.
The foster parents working with us are wonderful caring people; they have done a great job stabilizing our kids and reintegrating them into a family and community. But now that the children need to venture out, back into the world, I realized they need more than a family that invites them to participate. They need a family that takes care of their special needs.
Who will teach Baaskaa how to find a job, open a bank account, budget his weekly living costs and find his own support system – in short, to live on his own? Who will teach Nasa to learn how to read and write, on a regular basis, instead of only when there is time? Who will take into consideration that the girl is delicate and needs special attention and encouragement when asked to leave familiar territory? And Vannie? He doesn’t know what he wants, because he has never been encouraged to think of possibilities outside of a holding pattern.
So here I am, two years into the making of my program and two years wiser! I don’t know how to do it yet; particularly since there aren’t many grants that fund specialized child-care across the globe. But somehow we will manage and see these kids through until they are able to stand on their own feet and live an independent life and give back.
It is not easy to make this decision since there are so many kids out there who need help. But in my gut I know we are heading in the right direction: taking on a few and treat them right.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Can I take on more children?
- Part one : Mongolia’s development in the last year
This question has occupied me since last spring. My plan for 2010 was to support at least four children, but after taking Vannie and Enkhtsetseg at the beginning of the year, I decided to slow down.
During my sixth visit, in May 2010, I realized things had changed. Mongolia had changed. A housing boom exploded (and then imploded), western-styled malls appeared and multiplied quickly, as did Gucci and Prada stores. The traffic in the capital had become unbearable because a large number of people were now able afford cars. But in the care center everything stayed the same. It got renovated, yes, but the renovation just offered a new coat of paint and a few large Disney stickers, which had replaced the beautiful stencils of steppe grass, also common in Native American art.
Mongolia’s government started to hand out premiums to every citizen due to the increased mining state revenues, yet the situation for the poor didn’t improve, quite the contrary, as the living costs climbed. http://mongoliabusinessblog.com
In addition, Mongolia had an incredibly harsh winter, during which eight million animals perished, 17% of the country’s total livestock. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/23/mongolia-livestock-deaths-harsh-winter This had a huge impact on us as well, Byambaa lost three-fourth of his herd, and Nasa’s family lost several cows. Both families had to spend large sums of money on feed and hay to save the remaining animals and I supported them, which made a considerable dent in my budget.
The zud, as this type of cold winter is called, forced many herders to give up their lifestyle and re-settle in the city. As a result Ayurzana and I failed to find nomadic families willing to take in foster children.
When I went back in October 2010, the situation was even more extreme. Larger foreign investments had been poured into the mining industry, which generated more money for the rich, a slight increase for the middle-class, and only crumbs for the poor. The childcare center tended to as many kids as usual, no improvement here.
There was a bit of progress: the minister of welfare allocated money to open a new childcare center, helmed by Ayurzana. It was created for children of under earning parents. These children live in the center full time, go to school and participate in a music program based on El Sistema. http://elsistemausa.org/ It is run on the principles of a boarding school with the participation of the parents, who are encouraged to stay involved in their children’s lives. This care center is very successful; most children have rebuilt their relationship with their parents and have gotten a taste of community and success through the music program. A youth orchestra was formed that is now playing in concert halls and touring the country. Ayurzana is very happy, even though he is working double shifts and jokes that they took away his police staff and replaced it with music teachers.
The developments throughout caused me to refine my approach.
This question has occupied me since last spring. My plan for 2010 was to support at least four children, but after taking Vannie and Enkhtsetseg at the beginning of the year, I decided to slow down.
During my sixth visit, in May 2010, I realized things had changed. Mongolia had changed. A housing boom exploded (and then imploded), western-styled malls appeared and multiplied quickly, as did Gucci and Prada stores. The traffic in the capital had become unbearable because a large number of people were now able afford cars. But in the care center everything stayed the same. It got renovated, yes, but the renovation just offered a new coat of paint and a few large Disney stickers, which had replaced the beautiful stencils of steppe grass, also common in Native American art.
Mongolia’s government started to hand out premiums to every citizen due to the increased mining state revenues, yet the situation for the poor didn’t improve, quite the contrary, as the living costs climbed. http://mongoliabusinessblog.com
In addition, Mongolia had an incredibly harsh winter, during which eight million animals perished, 17% of the country’s total livestock. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/23/mongolia-livestock-deaths-harsh-winter This had a huge impact on us as well, Byambaa lost three-fourth of his herd, and Nasa’s family lost several cows. Both families had to spend large sums of money on feed and hay to save the remaining animals and I supported them, which made a considerable dent in my budget.
The zud, as this type of cold winter is called, forced many herders to give up their lifestyle and re-settle in the city. As a result Ayurzana and I failed to find nomadic families willing to take in foster children.
When I went back in October 2010, the situation was even more extreme. Larger foreign investments had been poured into the mining industry, which generated more money for the rich, a slight increase for the middle-class, and only crumbs for the poor. The childcare center tended to as many kids as usual, no improvement here.
There was a bit of progress: the minister of welfare allocated money to open a new childcare center, helmed by Ayurzana. It was created for children of under earning parents. These children live in the center full time, go to school and participate in a music program based on El Sistema. http://elsistemausa.org/ It is run on the principles of a boarding school with the participation of the parents, who are encouraged to stay involved in their children’s lives. This care center is very successful; most children have rebuilt their relationship with their parents and have gotten a taste of community and success through the music program. A youth orchestra was formed that is now playing in concert halls and touring the country. Ayurzana is very happy, even though he is working double shifts and jokes that they took away his police staff and replaced it with music teachers.
The developments throughout caused me to refine my approach.
Monday, February 21, 2011
I just booked a ticket; in less than three weeks I will be back in Mongolia!
From Afghanistan to Mongolia; I can’t wait to see the kids!
I am currently on a shoot in Afghanistan. “Afghan Voices”, is a documentary about a group of 17-20 year-old Afghans, who are training to become the next generation of journalists. It’s a great program and of course it makes my wheels spin, wondering how I could implement a similar program in Mongolia.
There are plenty of parallels between Afghanistan and Mongolia, which isn’t that surprising, after all both countries are in Asia. In the 13th century, Genghis Khan made it all the way to Afghanistan and a lot of Mongolians settled here; they are now known as the Hazaras. You can tell by looking at them, they are incredibly beautiful and look very Mongolian! Whenever I see a Hazara, I feel a little bit at home.
Unfortunately Afghanistan is still a recovering, poor country. There are plenty of children here who could use some support. But yesterday we heard about something very uplifting, the Afghan National Institute For Music, the first and only music school in Kabul. This school is a great example of what one person with a vision can accomplish. http://www.afghanistannationalinstituteofmusic.org/
Last week the school concluded its winter semester with a concert by the Afghan Youth Orchestra. Unfortunately we were advised that is wasn’t safe and didn’t go, but one of the young journalists who did go was so impressed by the musicians that he did a story on them, which we followed.
I am currently on a shoot in Afghanistan. “Afghan Voices”, is a documentary about a group of 17-20 year-old Afghans, who are training to become the next generation of journalists. It’s a great program and of course it makes my wheels spin, wondering how I could implement a similar program in Mongolia.
There are plenty of parallels between Afghanistan and Mongolia, which isn’t that surprising, after all both countries are in Asia. In the 13th century, Genghis Khan made it all the way to Afghanistan and a lot of Mongolians settled here; they are now known as the Hazaras. You can tell by looking at them, they are incredibly beautiful and look very Mongolian! Whenever I see a Hazara, I feel a little bit at home.
Unfortunately Afghanistan is still a recovering, poor country. There are plenty of children here who could use some support. But yesterday we heard about something very uplifting, the Afghan National Institute For Music, the first and only music school in Kabul. This school is a great example of what one person with a vision can accomplish. http://www.afghanistannationalinstituteofmusic.org/
Thursday, February 17, 2011
We just got two boxes of high end winter jackets!
My friend Dwight Grimm and his wife Leigh have been very supportive throughout. Dwight owns Five Foot Five Productions, a NY-based production company, and Leigh works in the fashion industry. We met on a job years ago, but lost contact, until I asked for help. They immediately responded. In October 2010 I traveled to UB with a huge bag of the finest, high-quality underwear for boys, courtesy of Joe Kielar of Knothe Apparel Group, of which I distributed half in the care center and while I gave Sara the rest, to ‘ration’ it off until my next visit.
This time, Leigh and Dwight approached a high end outwear apparel company - how perfect is that for the coldest capital of the world! The kids will be so happy to have a cool jacket, not just a practical one, which is what they normally get!
Apparently the boxes are huge – many thanks to the donors! – so huge I was worried that I couldn’t carry everything, but Dwight had the genius idea to use Space Bags, the vacuum-shrinking storage bags. I can’t wait to see the kid’s faces, when they get an thin piece of plastic that miraculously transforms into a hip jacket when allowed to breathe! ☺
This time, Leigh and Dwight approached a high end outwear apparel company - how perfect is that for the coldest capital of the world! The kids will be so happy to have a cool jacket, not just a practical one, which is what they normally get!
Apparently the boxes are huge – many thanks to the donors! – so huge I was worried that I couldn’t carry everything, but Dwight had the genius idea to use Space Bags, the vacuum-shrinking storage bags. I can’t wait to see the kid’s faces, when they get an thin piece of plastic that miraculously transforms into a hip jacket when allowed to breathe! ☺
I am planning my next trip to Mongolia.
I can’t wait, I will leave mid-March for three and a half weeks. Sara, who visits the kids once a month, announced my return. The kids were delighted. Whenever I get Sara’s reports I almost get jealous – she gets to hang out with them regularly, while I can’t.
It is time to go! Looks like the kids need some help. Baaskaa is dying to become independent, he wants to leave the farm and find a job. He isn’t quite sure which job though. This is a huge decision and so far his decisions have been driven by necessity and survival. For the last two years he trained to be as excavator driver. To find a job in his field, he has to apply with at of the mining companies – copper and other metals, minerals or coal. He isn’t sure about this, he’d have to start at a very low level entry position, but he had his share of dull, dirty and dangerous jobs in the past already. If it were up to me, I much rather see him doing a less dangerous job, closer to the city. But I will support him, no matter what he'll decide. I downloaded application forms from various mining companies and sent them to Sara, so they can practice filling them out. Apparently Baaskaa also expressed interest in starting his own herding and dairy business. He came up with a business model, including a budget and a time frame! But cows are expensive. One way or the other, he will have to generate some start-up money. I will help as much as I can, but with good cows starting at $800 these days, it will take some time.
Nasa is also ready to move on. She surprised Sara – and me – by expressing her wish to go to school. I think my last visit had a big impact on her. She learned how to sew felt slippers, which taught her that she can accomplish something. She is a very sensitive girl, who gets nervous when challenged and she easily shuts down when she believes she’s criticized. I don’t think she ever had a person in her life, who cared or encouraged her to excel. Her wish to learn and to attend school is a HUGE step. Now we have to find a school that will accept a fifteen year old, illiterate girl and protect her from being put down by her classmates. Kids can be brutal. We need to create a situation where she feel safe and supported; I don’t think we have multiple shots here.
This trip will be jam-packed, finding a job, finding a school, figuring out where they will live, how to support and supervise them. When I look at the to-do-list, I get dizzy, but we have come so far, there is no stopping here! Besides, I actually have fun doing these things. It will be so rewarding to see Nasa enter a classroom with a backpack filled with books and to see Baaskaa off to his first proper job, where he has rights and is getting paid according to rules and regulations!
It is time to go! Looks like the kids need some help. Baaskaa is dying to become independent, he wants to leave the farm and find a job. He isn’t quite sure which job though. This is a huge decision and so far his decisions have been driven by necessity and survival. For the last two years he trained to be as excavator driver. To find a job in his field, he has to apply with at of the mining companies – copper and other metals, minerals or coal. He isn’t sure about this, he’d have to start at a very low level entry position, but he had his share of dull, dirty and dangerous jobs in the past already. If it were up to me, I much rather see him doing a less dangerous job, closer to the city. But I will support him, no matter what he'll decide. I downloaded application forms from various mining companies and sent them to Sara, so they can practice filling them out. Apparently Baaskaa also expressed interest in starting his own herding and dairy business. He came up with a business model, including a budget and a time frame! But cows are expensive. One way or the other, he will have to generate some start-up money. I will help as much as I can, but with good cows starting at $800 these days, it will take some time.
Nasa is also ready to move on. She surprised Sara – and me – by expressing her wish to go to school. I think my last visit had a big impact on her. She learned how to sew felt slippers, which taught her that she can accomplish something. She is a very sensitive girl, who gets nervous when challenged and she easily shuts down when she believes she’s criticized. I don’t think she ever had a person in her life, who cared or encouraged her to excel. Her wish to learn and to attend school is a HUGE step. Now we have to find a school that will accept a fifteen year old, illiterate girl and protect her from being put down by her classmates. Kids can be brutal. We need to create a situation where she feel safe and supported; I don’t think we have multiple shots here.
This trip will be jam-packed, finding a job, finding a school, figuring out where they will live, how to support and supervise them. When I look at the to-do-list, I get dizzy, but we have come so far, there is no stopping here! Besides, I actually have fun doing these things. It will be so rewarding to see Nasa enter a classroom with a backpack filled with books and to see Baaskaa off to his first proper job, where he has rights and is getting paid according to rules and regulations!
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