Help for those with Special Needs

This summer we visited a camp for handicapped children. In Mongolia they are called "Handicapped", or "Disabled", so forgive us if we do not use the term "Special Needs." They have 200-300 kids per week for 7 day camps. It is a large camp with many wonderful children and dedicated staff members.  The President (Mayor) of Darkhan drove us out there along with our Interpreter Nyamod and her mother.  Nyamod's sister is handicapped and loved the camp. We met so many wonderful kids that just surrounded us and wanted to meet Americans. Since then we have been trying to help where we can.  We spoke with the Camp Director and made arrangements to spend a week there next Summer as Volunteers.
This past week we were invited to tour a new Kindergarten Day Care Center that will be taking in handicapped children for the first time.  They wanted us to make recommendations on how to make the facility "accessible" and what toys they would need.  We made a number of suggestions regarding ramps, removing large thresholds in doorways, handicapped toilets with hand rails and replacing pedestal sinks with wall mountings to allow wheelchair access.  The first of the handicapped kids will be arriving this week so we will go back in the next day or two to make recommendations for toys best suited for them. Since Debbie has experience working in a "Life Skills" class with autistic children, she provided additional ideas for teaching the kids skills that relieve many burdens for parents and providing some independence for the kids. 

 Friday we attended the citywide "Handicap Awareness" event.  We presented 5 kids with backpacks with school supplies inside.  The largest TV station in Mongolia from UB (the Capital) interviewed us. It was funny how so many people wanted a picture taken with us and were pleased to see Americans helping these kids. The lady in the middle with glasses is the Director of the Summer Camp.  The lady next to me is one of the government leaders that want to meet with Debbie and I. The lady second from the left is Nyamod's mother and the little girl is Nyamod's sister--a real sweetheart. Nyamod's mom is an amazing woman. She is so connected in many ways in support of the handicap and those less fortunate.  She has so little in the way of material things, but is constantly giving. She is such an example to us!

 The gentleman on the left works at the Summer Camp and these are his children. We met him there and became friends.










This is Nymkaa. He is a very special child we met at a fund raising event about a week before. Debbie was so kind to him, he asked his mother to give Debbie one of the items they had for sale. He is a very loving and giving child. His mother is such a patient and sweet lady as well. He wants us to come and visit him in his home. We understand he does not get out very much.
The City President, I mentioned earlier, met with us and was the keynote speaker. He announced the city was making a large amount of funds available for the kids' summer camp.  We also met two high ranking Government employees that head the departments that support handicapped organizations. This is all new to them.  The handicapped have basically been ignored until recently, so that day was an exciting day to see so many in support of this great cause!!! They want to set up meetings with Debbie and I to discuss how government supports the handicapped in the United States??  Also, what regulations there are in support of them, how to make them more employable and how to get employers to consider them? We are excited and humbled about how we might be able to make a difference.
A big part of helping those with special needs is to help their families. The mothers of these children basically cannot work because they have to stay home with their special needs child so it puts a huge financial burden on the family. Well, there are organizations here that teach skills/crafts to the parents and supply them with the materials. They in turn make items to sell and the organization markets them and the money goes to the family.

They had jugglers, dancers, contortionists, and acrobats from UB. This large group is mostly kids that attended the camp and they did a great job dancing in unison.










In Old Darkhan the Ger District is on the other side of busy railroad tracks. The short cut into the center of Old Darkhan is across the tracks.  The 15 year old son was taking his younger brother to the hospital and was hit by a train and killed.  The father worked with the city leaders and was instrumental in getting an underground tunnel built to provide safe passage. The tunnel is named after his son.  He is now in the process of raising funds to build a clinic closer to the Ger District in memoriam of his son.  He was in the booth next to us.