Monday, March 11, 2013

WHAT IS NEXT? OUR COMMITMENT TO THEM...


LAMb International works to come behind the nationals -  helping them to face the many challenges they experience in serving children, those with disabilities, the widows and families who are in crisis.  We are committed to our defining scripture - Ephesians 4:12.  "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."

With our present work in Ukraine and in Kyrgyzstan, we see the nationals stepping up and making a difference.  ILDC in Ukraine is carrying out activities that are bringing leaders to new levels of confidence, encouraging pastors, helping lead studies in Bible Colleges and providing critical skills and abilities to those working with children and families.  The project Adopt Ukraine has been most successful - helping many national families adopt, supporting them through crisis and being there to provide resources as many families have struggled to keep their families together.  Soon we will offer comprehensive training on a  number of areas that are critical for Ukraine at this time:  training on working with children who have experienced trauma and training on working through adoption issues that can and sometimes lead to adoption disruption.

As well, we will be conducting training events with Christian families who have adopted, facilitating a retreat with Christian adoptive families and their children - along with our team members Pastor David and Jayne Schooler.

Our team in Ukraine work together to ensure they are providing resources, such as translated books, and other tools as well.  We are proud of our staff in Ukraine.  They are true champions for UKRAINE WITHOUT ORPHANS.

In Kyrgyzstan we are seeing great results with Dayspring and now the Jeremiah Project (see previous blog on the details of the projects).  Youth are finding success in school, showing signs of emotional well-being and developing as young people in every area of development.  

And we continue...the BUS HAS  NOT STOPPED.... we have an awesome team in Kyrgyzstan!

Today, we want to let you know the work that is ahead for the Kyrgyzstan team - work to strengthen the resources and grow the mind change in how those with disabilities are treated.  This small pilot project cannot do it all, but it can open the doors to paradigm shifts in thinking, get nationals involved in helping instead of judging and become a training/learning tool for other NGO's who are looking to ensure they are HELPING AND NOT HURTING.   It is small, but large in potential.  We are called to equip - to activate.  We are thankful for such a glorious opportunity - and thank you for being our supporters and encouragers.

NOW THE PROJECT......


DISCOVERY PROJECT
Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan
(A Project Result from work with Hope Alaska)

Draft

Vision:  Kyrgyzstan would recognize the state role and responsibility to provide resources and services to those who have been identified as having developmental disabilities. That by recognizing the responsibility of the state, the disabled would find life in Kyrgyzstan offering them equal opportunities for well-being through growth, education and employment countrywide.

Mission of Discovery Project:  Discovery Project will serve the people of Tokmok and surrounding area.  ILDC/LAMb International endeavor to reach out into the community, assess needs and wants and then to provide different opportunities for the developmentally disabled related to assessment.  We hope to bring hope and dignity to those who come into the project, by teaching Life Skills, native culture crafts, and offer socialization for those who have been isolated from society.  In addition, we hope to provide strong and evidenced based training programs that will give those with disabilities skills and knowledge that will open doors to interdependent living and employment.

PROJECT MANAGER:  TO BE ANNOUNCED (National will be hired.)

COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT

PART 1:  WORK WITH STAFF AT IKSRA HOME FOR DISABLED MEN AND OTHERS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE LEARNINGS FROM HOPE ALASKA

With the training that Larisa and Tanya have received while in Alaska, it became our goal to transfer as much of this learning as possible to the staff at Iskra, Home for Disabled Men. 

Larisa agreed to bring this training to the staff.  In addition, Hope has agreed to make several training videos which we will have dubbed into Russian – these videos will be used for training events at Iskra as well as at other training events scheduled by LAMb International.

Hope Alaska has agreed to come to Kyrgyzstan to review the progress of the transfer of skills.  They will be there to coach and further the transfer of learning received by Larisa and Tanya and to work with other team members who are interested in being involved in the Hope Project in the future

Initial Activities:
  • Work with Larisa and Tanya to identify what training is needed and set up training venues – March/April 2013
  • Develop relationship with disabled home in Tokmok  - begin discussions of how we might be able to join with them for the project – possibly finding one of their workers who could go to Alaska to learn and come back to share as well.


PART 2:  DEVELOP THE DISCOVERY CENTER FOR DISABLED PERSONS

THE DISCOVERY Center will be developed as a model from the Discovery Center that Hope Alaska has created to bring together disabled persons for a variety of reasons:  socialization, learning and fun.

The Discovery Center in Kyrgyzstan will be located in Tokmok.  We will offer social activities, a place for the disabled to come and take craft classes, learn different skills and like Hope – just have fun.  We will cater to all ages…with dance, music and activities that will enrich the lives of the disabled from Iskra, other disabled homes and Tokmok area. 

The Discovery Center will be a place in which volunteers will be utilized to serve the disabled.

Our first step in moving forward with the Discovery Center will be to use the present Jeremiah Project Drop in Center as a resource for the start of the Discovery Center.

Activities:
  • Discuss with Red Cross and Social Services the option for JPDIC.
  • Once discussions are completed – sit with staff and make a plan for how we are going to find those who would be willing to come to DC. 

PART 3:  DEVELOP RESOURCES AND A SUPPORT GROUP FOR MOMS WHO HAVE CHLDREN WHO ARE DISABLED

When we have identified families who have children living at home who are disabled, we will offer to these families different supports and resources – including helping them get to the Discovery Center for training and being involved with a support group.

Support for the moms could include any of the following:
  • ·       Training
  • ·       Consultation
  • ·       Respite care
  • ·       Resource management
  • ·       Socialization with other moms – support group
  •  Etc.
Activities:
  • Massage training (accomplished – February, 2013 - coordinated by Olga - our Residential Director) for moms of children with developmental disabilities
  • Work with Tokmok Social Services to identify families who might be interested in using resources – especially moms with children in their homes who have developmental disabilities
  • Identify and contact adult persons with disabilities who might be interested in classes in computer, crafts, support groups, etc.  (Create a specific group of questions to gather data about those in community who are not being served.)


PART 4:  DEVELOP A SUPPORT GROUP FOR DISABLED PERSONS – WHICH INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM PARADISE CENTER

At this time, there are no support groups for adult disabled persons or their families.   At Discovery Center we are hoping to offer this service.  We will also provide transportation where possible for those who would like to be involved but cannot be involved.

Activity:
  •  Identify support group facilitators
  •  Bring together a pilot group and conduct first support group
  •  Review and develop a plan to continue

PART 5:  DEVELOP AN EMPLOYMENT/BUSINESS PLAN FOR DISABLED PERSONS

Employment is essentially impossible for those persons who are disabled in Kg.  We want to find a “cottage industry” in which persons can be employed.  This could be as simple as persons making native crafts at the Dscovery Center and selling them to foreigners who come in teams.

Activity:
  • Assess the skills of a group of disabled persons who have been identified that they would like to work.
  •  Explore options for employment in the community
  • Make a plan for an ongoing assessment of community possibilities and opportunities for employment of those with disabilities


PART 6: DEVELOP A PLAN FOR BRINGING PERSONS FROM INSTITUTIONS (WHO ARE ABLE) INTO INDEPENDENT LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY - PURCHASE A HOME

At this time, Larisa and Tanya have identified persons from Iskra who could live independent of the institution.  We hope to create a pilot for this – keeping the home in Iskra – close to the institution so those men who choose to participate in the move can remain connected to their friends at Iskra.  We will be transporting men into Tokmok to join activities at Discovery Center – and envision these men to be our team who will help in some way as volunteers with our support group, etc.

Activity:
  • Identify men who might be candidates for this experience
  • Develop a preparation – training program for the men; along with practice sessions at Discovery Center
  •  Once initial activities are complete – make a plan for purchase and transition


PART 7:  DEVELOP A VOLUNTEER TEAM OF PERSONS TO WORK WITH THE DISABLED

Volunteerism in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are somewhat foreign.  However, we are seeing interest from the churches and from the university students.  We will formalize a volunteer program and when these persons actively take part in volunteering – we will consider them for additional training and work in Alaska with Hope.

Activity:
  • Connect with HOPE and get the list of persons wanting to go to Hope for training and work experience
  •  Meet with prospective persons identified by HOPE as having shown interest
  • Bring together a group of university students that have answered an ad for volunteers – explain the opportunities – take note of those who continue to be interested
  • Create a volunteer guideline protocol, etc
  • Train volunteers and crate a monitoring plan for their work

PART 8:  DEVELOP A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HOPE ALASKA TO CONTINUE TRAINING TEAMS FROM KG – WHO WILL RETURN TO WORK WITHIN THE PROJECTS OF LAMB.

Hope has indicated an interest to continue a working relationship together and have additional students come and study.  We have been asked to “vet” these potential applicants.  We will do this through our volunteer program..

Activities:
·       See activities from Part 7 – use these interested persons as potential candidates for HOPE for 2013/2014/
  •  Make a plan to send four persons from Kyrgyzstan (who have been acting as volunteers in one or more of the LAMb projects)  to Alaska in the Fall of 2013. 
  • Develop a budget for the trip of the four to HOPE, 2013.

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