Follow up from earlier blanket challenge ..

  A couple weeks ago , the blanket challenge was for medical needs .. two of the men at the mens home were in bad shape and getting worse, They were not expected to pull out of it , but your help came just in time, and they were able to get the help that they needed, and both of them are feeling much better and are up and around again ..   Both Zamira and Murat are special to me , so it is an extra special blessing for me that you guys stepped in to help.. A few weeks from now, I will be with them again made possible by your generosity .. 

Today Tanya writes 

   "Thank you very much.

We can helped made all analyses for Zamira and Murat  and help him  treatment . 

Thanks a lot for opportunity to help Zamira  and Murat we could carry  them to hospital and made many analyses.  We made many analyses - ultrasound of heart, a X-ray and it is a lot of others.  Bought different pills which were appointed by the doctor .Now they  are  drink tablets.  Their health is already much better." 

Zamire looking over his medical files 

John,Julie  thanks a lot for pencils, felt-tip pens, paints and miscellaneous … … … … … .it is very necessary help. We draw much and we paint. Boys so like to  draw. Now we draw not brushes but  fingers  it is very useful for disabled . Murat already visits our lessons of drawing. Today he can came on a wheelchair   and  painted a joyful and warm picture and it was very good  (he was ill 2 months but after treatment all ok thank you very much now we can see his smile ).you so much

Murat is feeling better and back at art class 

Men studying in the library

time in the relaxation room 

Tanya helping the men at art class 

a masterpiece 

 Just a reminder that today is the last day of the Blanket challenge for Jenishes dream of a transition home .  as you can see not much has happened with this.  If you would like to incourage him, now would be a good time ..

Life from a different perspective.

Can you imagine being happy about school ..I sure can't. but these kids are. With new books, and help with their studies, there is a new excited.   

Maybe they are just happy to have Emma and her friends spend time with them, and if its education that is the excuse, so be it .. but what ever reason. these kids sure are happy now.   

I was just sorting out some old pictures, and came across this Video I was looking for the pictures that are here in the 5 sec. to 10 sec mark .. I wanted to show the option of where many end up living with out help . These are the conditions that Jenish sees every day , and why he is asking for help    Looking after these needs i never a popular one.. at the 5 second mark you will see the typical response.. toss them a little bit of bread every now and then,  but to make a real impact in their lives, we need to do more.. we need to get down into the dirty with them .. If you look at the picture at about 7 seconds in .. you can`t take a picture like that , from that perspective unless we get down into the whole with them ... thats were we see life from a different perspective .. Jenish has been there .. he knows first hand what the solution is .. but what does he do with that ?  he can't do it alone   he needs your help.     I can guarantee if you spent a day with Jenish, you would see the world a little different.     Please consider how you can help, and remember the top donor of the week will get one of Aigula`s blankets 

Update on Telik

On Friday I shared a need .. Glasses for Tilik and a follow up Dr's apointement .. with in hours that need was met, and This morning Tilik went into Bishkek with Emma and Jenish to the Dr. 

He has the new corrective lenses now, and with them he has perfect vision . as well his eyes are strait, so the next surgery will not be necessary.  There is one difficulty.  His brain has never processed information from both eyes at the same time, so it it taking longer to process.  There is a new technology that they have now , there is one of these machines in Bishkek, and it helps to train the brain to blend the images.  He is signed up for this treatment .. It begins on July 25 and will last for 20 treatments, each treatment will last about an hour.  So I guess that will be a summer job for someone .. daily trips to Bishkek with Telik.   Its a ways off so we will have time to figure that out.  Who knows , maybe his eyes will come around on there own in that time .. I think thats what everyone is hoping for .

We are just so blessed that many of you have taken an interest in Telik.. He is such a good kid, and has worked his way into our hearts in a big way.   His spirits are way up now that the main surgery is done, and he sees such an improvement.. but more then that, he sees that he is not alone, and that there is a whole network of people that are in his corner .. something that a young orphan boy is going to need if he is going to make it .. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this .

Blanket challenge week 4 .. Transition house

bringing HOPE to the HOPELESS 

So I think you should go get yourself a cup of coffee, then come back and listen to this story .

In the spring of 2008 we first met Jenish .  At that time he had been working with the homeless for about 3 years.  and had just come on as the in country director of the rehabilitation centre.   Here is a video with a  little history about Jenish .. and a few photos for those that can not play the video.  

The problem of the homeless is one that just does not go away ..

 Below is part one of a documentary on the homeless that was done last year ..   There was a team of Journalism students that came and followed Jenish around for a couple weeks .. What they found was disturbing ..  If you ever wonder how Jenish can be such a fun loving guy.. maybe its simply a defense mechanism     ( Caution these videos are disturbing, please do not watch with your kids in the room) 

Part 1   

Part 2 

Working with the homeless can become very depressing and draining , especially if you have nothing better to offer , 

this is the government shelter 

One of the men found on the streets 

Many live in the sewer system during the cold winter

Jenish brought Jamal in off the streets where he was homeless, today he is the main worker at the chicken farm that has become the heart beat of the rehabilitation centre.  made possible by some of you ,  

For eight years, Jenish worked at the rehab centre, determined to not only have a place to bring the men people he was trying to help, but also to show them a better future.  Jenish faced two big obstacles, One being on going funding for the centre, and the other being the relapse rate when men try to integrate back into society.   The first problem was addressed with the implementation of market gardens as well as the production of honey.  This took the pressure off, but was not enough.    Last year , Jenish was able to secure the funding , and build an Egg farm at the centre .  This was what was needed, and today those at the centre tell us that it is that chicken farm that has sustained them and allowed them to continue to support those living there.  

Next was to address the second issue .. support for the men when they leave the centre .  Those who had the community support did very well, but for those who had no support could manage for a time, but when life through a curve at them, they would often return to the original vice.  If there was some one or some where that they could turn to , they would be able to remain on the right path, but on their own , there is just no hope.  

At the same time as this reality was concerning Jenish also continued to carry a burden for "his  friends on the street"   In the summer of 2013, it was time to come up with a plan and tackle this problem .  

It was Jenishes dream to open a centre for those that were struggling and at risk of a fall.  Not a place to conquer their addictions, but the next step when they had.   They needed a resource centre that could help them threw life's challenges.  

We began this by renting a small one room apartment in the centre of Bishkek . 

Giving a tour of the carving shop to a team visiting from Halifax 

To keep the men active, they started a small carving shop where they focus on custom carvings.  

Here those that have the skills can do the main carving, and instruct those developing their skills to work on things like sanding and polishing .  

This is the entrance hall, the kitchen where they cook for the homeless, as well as where the wood for carving is stored, not to mention the only room with water for the ment to get washed up. 

working on custom carvings .   This room is the carving room, the varnishing room as well as the room where the men live and sleep.  The room is small, but it is so much better then where they came from.

 

this is a carving of our young friend victor receiving a food bag.. We commissioned these pieces for members of the teams that came in the fall.  It was a way for them to support the program, as well as something for them to bring home that would have real meaning to them as they remember their time in Kyrgyzstan.  

Other carvings that have been done by the centre also have great personal meaning, Like this one that was done of a couple of our little friends that are now brothers in their forever family in the United States.  You would have to see this carving in person to see how they have captured the children so well .  I almost kept it myself ..

 

Just keeping the men busy for the sake of keeping busy was not enough .. these men need a sense of purpose.   So the funds that are generated from the sale of the carvings goes to provide meals for the homeless . 

Konibek preparing meals for the homeless
 at his home.  

Here Konibek is delivering meals to the homeless.. These are the
same streets that he was rescued from so many years ago.
today he is an active hard working member of society, and
although he does not live at the centre , he continues to help
Jenish care for the men that do . 

The problem that we are now facing is that Centre that we are currently using is simply way to small and crowded.  so we have begun to look for a new location.  Out thought is to move out of the city, far enough out that we can find something larger and more affordable, as well as with a bit of land so that we can expand operations to diversify , maybe with having a small sheep farm, but still be close enough to Bishkek to continue the feeding program as well as being close to the job market for those we are helping to become independant

Emma and Bekah checking the Gate .  This is where postings are put up for houses for sale or rent in the area .  All the little villages have them .. They are praying that one day they will find the right place at the right price.. and that will coincide with the right donation 

Our goal it to purchase a fixer upper that we can get cheep, and build and repair as we move along, and as more people access the centre.   Right now a fixer upper starts at about $8000.  Until we are able to secure a place to purchase, we will continue looking for something that we can rent.  To cover this will be about $400 a month.  We recognise that $8000 is a lot of money to be looking for, but we also recognise that this is a long term project that will impact so many in the years to come.  If we can make the investment now, we will be much stronger and successful in the future .   As we see the interest of you our sponsors, we will determine what direction we are to go, but what we do know is that it is time to do something.   

  Would you consider a one time donation toward this project, or perhaps you would commit to a monthly pledge to help with the on going support of the centre .  

Thats what this weeks Blanket challenge is about .. A big step for sure , but one with a long term impact .  

For the sake of the blanket totals , if an on going monthly pledge is made, we will take use the total pledged for 12 months to determine the top donor

Yesterdays update from Emma ... part 1

Yesterday Emma and Kamalla where celebrating birthdays at on of the orphanages .  We celebrated 5 birthdays this month .  I cant tell you how special this is for the kids that they have some one remember them.  I remember the day we were helping the young boy on the right with his documents.  As we were loking at them we noticed that it was his birthday .. when we pointed this out to him he said " No I don't have a birthday "  you see he had never had anyone even recognise that he had one , he told us that he knew others had them, but those are kids with families , and he does not have one ...

Here is what Emma had to say :

Berhan, Aizada's little brother turned 7 on tuesday, so I bought him a little puzzle, 

story book and a colouring book and gave him markers from chrismas

and some little dinky cars that someone from one of the teams left.

He was sooo happy. He gave me a big hug ran to his room to look at what he got 

and came back and gave me another big hug 

then came back again for another hug after he looked again at his gift. 

I think it was one of his first presents

    As well They were at the Oxford English centre where they were checking up on the students that we sponsor there.  Emma writes :

there is one of Kolya at his English lessons. 

I paid for March and April. 

the rest of the students are still covered because I taught English there.

Aziz, Aizada, Umarbek, Janibek and Vika. 

She said they are all good students and are trying very hard.

Then there is our dear sweet Alina ,  Along with helping her to find good safe employment in Tokmok as a nanny, they were able to get her dental work finished

Alina had a cavity in the middle of her two front teeth.

she got that and two other big cavities fixed

and she has two more small cavities in the back

that i told her we would fix later when we have more money 

because they are smaller and they don't hurt

I'm taking aigula in tomorrow, she has one tooth left to fix. 

she has already had 2 wisdom teeth out and 2 root canals.

At home work club Kamalla and Emma brought the kids more of the hand made text books that they have been working on . Emma writes :

We gave out all the books for Beikut.

The each got a writing book to help with their hand writing 

and we give them a sticker for each page that they finish. 

We also gave everyone in grade 3 and older "rule books" that have all the grammer,

and math rules that they need to learn.  

There were some colouring books and pencil crayons left from the christmas presents, 

so I bought a few more boxes of pencil crayons so that there would be enough for everyone 

and we gave those to them too.

Also I noticed olya was writing with a pencil that was about an inch long, 

so I bought them each a new pencil too. 

They were all very happy and thankful.

Another sop was out to see our young friend Tilik.  He is doing well after the surgery, but still needs eye drops.  Also we need to make an appointment for him to get his new glasses when we find an extra $100 . 

 Then there were a few home visits like this one below.   this family has kids that Emma knows from both Day spring and Bacute .  She and Kamalla continue to visit them regularly to help with school work, and to bring extra food from time to time .  

this day the kids were eager to look at old pictures with them.  Emma regularly does up photo albums with the kids , and this has been great for them ,

Little Anya is holding up her favourite picture here 

Emma was also asking again about money for passports for the kids at Chui orphanage.  they have several kids that are the age that they now need to have in country passports if they are going to be able to outside the walls of the orphanage, as well the boys turning 16 have to have their military documents complete.  in total  23 in country passports 20 military documents  $200 

with regards to these kids , Emma writes : 

larissa said there are some girls at chui that were planning to go to turkey

to work and larissa convinced them to stay in Tokmok 

because she thinks they are going to end up in prostitution.

well we have a bit of time with these girls larissa said we could go and talk

to the graduating kids and especially those girls

, see what they want to do, take some pictures and find help

I will just put that out there .. we are in the middle of a lot of projects that we have been leaning heavily on you our sponsors to help with , but as smaller items like this crop up, we still would like to take care of them.  

at this point we are still about $3400 away from the target for the mens home renovations   we will continue to trust in those finances to come in so that we can continue to support Larisa in the incredible work that she is doing there.   .  

That is actually not the end of Emma's updates , but this post is getting too long, so we will continue this tomorrow ..

what have you tried !

Tomorrow is international slavery awareness day .   

" Ya so what can we do about it ?" ....... " what have you tried !"

I can remember clearly the first time I realized that slavery still exists .  It was one of the men that Jenish was helping that began to tell me his storey of living as a slave, and how he had escaped.  I then began to look into this more and I became overwhelmed with what I was finding.  YES Slavery is  alive and well in 2014 .   The kids that leave the orphanage are at risk of being sold or stolen , those living on the street, young girls or boys out walking alone,  and the most vulnerable of society, ALL at risk .  

So yes I will continue to stand against.   

I will stand for him .. and so many others like him 

Young boy at the mens home .. the cage is to keep him safe .. but for what ever reason ,  its still a cage 

You see the effects of slavery run wide and deep .    It is not just those that have been stolen or who have escaped, but it affects everyone.  The Man above is not a slave, but is behind the cage because of slavery .   There is a large fence around the compound of the mens home ,  I asked about the cage or why men were locked up.. The answer was that if they wander, there are people prowling the area waiting for them to come out of the home so that they can steel them to sell into slavery.    As if there were not enough problems in there lives, they now must have this fear hanging over them .   

One day we took a bunch of kids from the orphanage swimming in the chui river. As one of the boys looked across the river and realized that the other side was Kazakhstan , he began to panic.  you see we found out that his parents were stolen and taken to Kazakhstan as slaves, leaving him an orphan.  They tell me that although it is not legal in Kazakhstan, the police will do nothing , in fact one of the men that I talked to had escaped from slavery, and made it 200 miles to the border, and just before he got over the border, the local police caught him and held him as there slave for another six months forcing him to work for them and renting him out to others.  Then as many of you may remember , one of the kids that Emma was helping was sold into slavery by his family, and three other girls Emma pulled from a car as they were being taken away .. It is just to close to us to ignore .   

So what do you do about it .. well If we can be there to help the kids make correct choices in life and not be in harms way, that is a big one .. a couple weeks ago we raised money for the homeless.  through that , along with all the meals given out , there were two girls taken off the street, and give a safe home .  

Then we have the mens home ..when we started working there , 80 men died in a two week period from starvation and exposure .   How is this much better then the alternative of slavery.. when the most vulnerable of society are in conditions no better then the work camps, we have a real problem, and not one that we can tun a blind eye to .  That is why we have chosen to pour so much time and resources into the work that Larisa does at the mens home.  There has to be a quality of life for these men.  And through your help we can provide that.  

Did you know that the majority of the men at the mens home are just grown up orphans from the orphanages .. and the kids that we are working with in the disabled orphanages now , we will be finding here in the very near future.  these are the kids we are trying to provide for and we need your help. 

Since that first day we walked through the doors of the mens home in 2008, along with the on going food and vitamin drops , we have equipped a warming room in each section, we have provided mattresses and blankets, a full physiotherapy wing with a library, a class room, a quiet room and a couple craft and sewing rooms .  we have helped to put in a garden for them, as well as fields of fruit trees and raspberries.  Through your help we have repaired and replaced much of the water system and just this last fall have put in the new heating system, new windows and doors , a barber shop, we have even begun working out side painting murals on the yard so that the men will see more then just a big white concrete fence.    There is just so much that has been done, but we have just touched the surface .    Did you know that the very first time I went there, I was so overwhelmed that I came away saying that I would never go back.  Then one of you sponsors sent $1000 with the instructions .. " Go back and see what you and accomplish with this "  from that time on we have never looked back .. starting by doing what we can do , we have accomplished what others said could not be done .  

When we help them , it sends a few messages.. it tells the men that they are special and they do have value.. it shows them that some one cares .  The other message it sends to the government and administration is similar.. these men are so valuable that people are coming from around the world to help them .  That there well being is a high priority .  and that these men, and the least of these deserve the best.  they should be treated with dignity and respect.. not in the condition as slaves.  

So when we are asking for help for tables and chairs to at least have seats on the frame.. it is not just a seat, it is sending a message to everyone that we are still here , and we still care, and we will continue to be here for these big orphans.   

Mens home director asking for help with the charis 

That is part of the message that we are bringing as we travel around bringing updates to sponsors and encouraging them to please donate to the many areas that we are called to in Kyrgyzstan 

sharing in Brantford where $650 was raised to help repair the Chairs 

Please take a moment now and send a message of support in the way of a donation.  Believe me it is way more then just the chairs and the flooring .. it is a strong message that these men have more value then just slaves.   so like the support of Emma and her kids or Jenish and the homeless, Bekah and her students, this is another way that we can answer the question .. "Ya so what can we do about it "   

please we are asking that you just do what you can .. and nothing more 

Emma meats up with one of her girls to bring her a birthday gift and a cake, and go over her plans for safety and success