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ISLANDS 4 KIDS
We believe every kid deserves a family!
A place to call HOME
The Island
Islands 4 Kids is dedicated to the creation of sustainable, self-sufficient surrogate families based on sound economic principles. The first Island 4 Kids is in progress and will be the working model to be duplicated to develop additional islands for an Increasing number of youth with a home and a family. A stable setting WHERE they can have a secure, nurturing environment in which they can live, learn, train and grow in order to become productive members of the community.
The youth and adults become part of a surrogate family, not an orphanage or foster care, but a private extended family.
‘We believe every kid deserves a family.’
Our Experience
Starting in 2006 we opened our house to the youth in our village and the neighboring villages. This allowed us to get to know the kids and their needs and dreams or usually their lack of dreams. This provided us with the opportunity to see what the kids were experiencing first hand. Half of the children came from very poor families. Almost all experienced neglect, abuse and exploitation and the saddest point was that no one interfered and most turned a blind eye. Many kids found a safe and friendly haven at our house.
They touched their first computers, used their first indoor toilet, had material to write, draw, and to paint with. A big difference from what they experienced at their own houses. They ate toothpaste thinking it was candy and the number one food of choice was peanut butter. Here was one place where they could come to talk and often to find a haven from the abuse while having a hot meal or juice and most important an ear to listen.
Village Scenes of the first Island 4 kids Location
The SOLUTION
A solution can be found in most of the rural Villages of Romania. In The Villages the possibilities exist to Develop small family farms. Farms That Will Not Only Provide food for the family But Also a profit. We did not just do the study, We have been part of this particular rural village since 2005.
A view of the village below from the common pasture
The farms must be established using the best farming practices and economically sound principles. For this we have villagers and volunteer advisors who provide their knowledge and experience. The small farm is like all small family farms, consisting of a mother and father and six to eight adolescents, is ideal. We also add a single mom and when possible a grandmother (widow)
The base activity is agriculture but attention given to include other activities that not only generate extra income but to help the youth to learn a trade and become more self-sufficient. Not every kid wants to be a farmer. We have tradesmen and professionals who will apprentice Them.
The Island is Meant to be duplicated in Such a way as to Develop a network. Example, Island One is in a location best suited to raise crops and A Few animals, Island 2 suited for other fruit and nut trees and more animals, and so on. Island No.1 will be an orientation and training point for future Islands.
House (Island No. One)
Before pictures
The house was purchased in 2005. Since then we have repaired the house. The first slides show the work that was needed. Besides this general repair and painting, the work mainly included a new electrical installation, indoor plumbing and bathroom, kitchen , a septic system and roof repairs.
After pictures
The Next Step is to……
Move in the New Family
With your help We can do this!
The final step is to move in the youth That Will become part of the extended family.
slands 4 Kids is ready and will move in the first four youth beginning in 2017 . To realize this we need your help.
To move in the kids and become self-sufficient we Need;
• Money to buy mattresses, bedding, towels and pay for the utilities and food for the first year.
• Money to plant the garden, buy chickens, geese, goats and bees
A more Detailed list of Needs with Costs and Income are shown in the agriculture and house section of Finacial Projections.
Your Help is A Hand Up not a Hand Out !
Island Development
All the work and renovation to date was done with our own private funds and sweat equity.
The idea to expand the use as an island 4 Kids developed as we saw the increasingly desperate situation that too many youth have in Romania. This is planned as the first of future Island locations.
Before we duplicate we must have the first one in operation.
Your help is needed.
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