US State Department RFP Announced for Syrian Refugees

A funding announcement was released today by the US State Department for NGO programs which will benefit Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq (RFP link:http://www.state.gov/j/prm/funding/fy2014/218096.htm).  I will be applying for this grant opportunity in order to engage our team in the following specified field of activity:

Child Protection/Youth Protection, to include activities that incorporate and address the needs of unaccompanied minors. Proposals should adhere to the International Child Protection Working Group’s Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action and Sphere Standards for Protection.

This action will be undertaken following our DRC mission.  It is my hope that we will be able to provide both medical and dental services to orphaned children in Lebanon and/or Jordan.  I will keep you posted on our progress.

Photo courtesy of UNICEF

30 Days Remaining to Fill Our Humanitarian Aid Container for Kyrgyz Children

SMTP Program Director Abby Kalainkas

Abby Kalainikas, director of our State Department-sponsored SMT program, has 30 days to finish collecting humanitarian aid material for the children of the Kyrgyz Republic.  If successful, our participation will automatically be renewed and aid supplies shipped free-of-charge courtesy of the US government for the following year.

We encourage you to help Abby fill our shipping container before year’s end so that we may continue to help Kyrgyz children.  We will accept anything including clothing, footwear, pillows, bed sheets and comforters, school supplies, bicycles, medical and hygiene supplies (outside of one year’s expiration), and some furniture items. Please contact us for further details.  We thank you in advance for your assistance!

More can be read about the SMT program at the following site:http://www.counterpart.org/working-with-us/contracting-vehicles/smtp

Syria Update

Photo courtesy of UNICEF

The conflict in Syria has been particularly hard on children.  4.3 million have been internally displaced, 1.2 million are refuges, and 11,420 killed as a direct result of the ongoing hostilities.  As we stated last week, we are seeking fellow NGOs with whom we may cooperate to deliver medical aid to these children.  I will be communicating with UNICEF to see how we may become a permanent partner in order to accomplish our goals and will update you on our progress.  For those of you who have an interest, the following UNICEF link will provide you with current data on the state of children in Syria.

http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/2013/11/11000-children-killed-in-syria.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+unicefusa%2Ffieldnotes+%28UNICEF+USA+Fieldnotes%29

Upright Africa/Fishermen Mission to the DRC Slated for March 2014

Panzi Hospital – Women’s Ward

As John Woods of Upright Africa continues to fight the good fight in the Democratic Republic of the Congo we are gathering our resources so that we are prepared to join him in March.  Final departure date will be announced soon.

Our combined mission will include a visit to the orphans of Bukavu and Kalemie, as well as the Panzi hospital (http://www.panzifoundation.org/DrMukwege.aspx) where Dr. Mukwege continues to care for victims of sexual violence from the ongoing hostilities in the eastern DRC.

Upon John’s return we will formalize our plans, apply for our tickets, and begin packing our med supplies for the people.  Accompanying us on this mission will be Keith McLaurin, our newest member and famed local artist (check out his page on Facebook).

I personally look forward to finally getting out from behind the writer’s desk and joining the troops on the ground where the real work is being done.  I’m a field guy at heart and enjoy direct contact with the people whom I am assisting!

Photo courtesy of Physicians for Human Rights.

Helpful Article by Habitat for Humanity on the Mentally Disabled in Kyrgyzstan

Jumabubu Kenjekaraeva (from right) sits with her daughter, Akylay, and sons Rinat and Izat in their home, which was renovated as part of a Habitat for Humanity Kyrgyzstan project that helps mentally disabled people and their families.

The following article by Habitat for Humanity highlights the situation faced by the mentally disabled as well as their families in the Kyrgyz Republic.  We hope you find it illuminating.

http://www.habitat.org/lc/theforum/english/women/HFH_Kyrgyzstan_help_mentally_disabled.aspx

Photo courtesy of HFH

Kyrgyz Government Lifts Ban on International Adoptions

Great news!  The Kyrgyz Republic has finally lifted its ban on international adoption.  More can be read about this topic at the following site:

http://www.rferl.org/content/kyrgyzstan_lifts_ban_on_international_adoptions/24094372.html

Photo courtesy of Radio Free Europe.

More Attention to be Paid to Orphaned Children who are Mentally and/or Physically Handicapped

As we watch our own mental health system deteriorate, it is important to remember that elsewhere conditions are far worse than you can imagine.  Children born with a mental and/or physical handicap are often institutionalized and subsequently forgotten by the state, left to anguish silently with no one to speak for them.  This is not a dilemma limited to the third-world – even progressive, economically prosperous countries such as Japan still looking upon those suffering from mental and/or physical handicaps as being somewhat of a national embarrassment.

During my tour of Kyrgyz orphanages I spent time at an institution for disabled children.  The director was truly committed to the care of these wonderful children, but the state could not afford to provide them with even basic support.  The roof was collapsing, floors sunken, paint peeling from the walls, and windows broken.  Everything we take for granted they lacked, yet still they smiled the most heart-warming smiles knowing that someone cared enough to visit them.

Globally, there are many similar institutions filled with brilliant, talented, and loving children born with mental and/or physical handicaps, all of whom need our help.  It is out intention to explore institutions around the world and bring their needs to the attention of the international aid community and the United Nations.  It is time that these wonderful children receive the attention they deserve.

Photo courtesy of Radio Free Europe

Holiday Thoughts Revisited

At work on our balcony in late December

Now that the holiday season is once again upon us I wish to recap my interview with David Crabtree of WRAL’s “On the Record.” I sincerely hope that you will join us in our effort to help the less fortunate and will continue the spirit of giving throughout the year!

http://www.wral.com/news/local/video/11904272/#/vid11904272

Human Trafficking Awareness Program Partnership with UNICEF being Explored

We have officially requested a partnership with UNICEF to distribute our human trafficking awareness pamphlet to children around the world.  This is just the first stage of discussion, but it is a good start.  It is our hope that Meghan’s work will help save countless lives from the horrors of the modern slave trade.

Medical Support for Syrian Children

We are considering a new assistance program for children who are victims of the Syrian conflict. To date, there are an estimated one million child refugees who are in desperate need of food, shelter, and medical care. It is our intention to cooperate with UN agencies and fellow NGOs in order to provide basic medical supplies to help those in need. We will keep you posted on our progress regarding this matter.

The above photo is from the Syrian Orphan Sponsorship site at: syrianorphans.blogspot.com