An appeal to JK Rowling for solidarity
Dear Joanne,
My late colleague Terry was one who dedicated his life to the cause of removing children from institutional care in Ukraine. 5 years ago, his death was reported by local activists for civil rights.
‘The author of breakthru report “Death camps for children” Terry Hallman suddenly died of grave disease on Aug 18 2011. On his death bed he was speaking only of his mission — rescuing of these unlucky kids. His dream was to get them new homes filled with care and love. His quest would be continued as he wished.’
I note from the Lumos web site:
“Ukraine has more than 50,000 children living in institutions. Progress has been made in recent years, but as yet there is no National Plan for reform. Lumos is beginning work with other NGOs and regional authorities to demonstrate complete system change in one region as a model for national reform.”
In 2007, with the help of locals, he delivered a national scale plan for reforming childcare to Ukraine’s government. It was described as a ‘Marshall Plan’ for Ukraine and was published online to the Forum magazine.
As I’ve described to York St John University, the primary focus was placing children in loving family homes:
“In this case, for the project now being proposed, it is constructed precisely along these lines. Childcare reform as outlined above will pay for itself in reduced costs to the state. It will need investment for about five years in order to cover the cost of running two programs in parallel: the existing, extremely problematic state childcare scheme, and the new program needed to replace it for the purpose of giving children a decent life. The old program will be phased out as the new program is phased in. After this phase transition is complete, the state will from that time forward pay out less money for state childcare. Children will have a better life, and will be more likely to become healthy, productive assets to the nation rather than liabilities with diminished human development, diminished education, and the message that they are not important — the basis for serious trouble. There is no need whatsoever to give these children less than a good quality of life as they grow and mature. The only problem is reorganization of existing resources.”
I read your article in the European Year of Development which reflects many of the observations we’d also made about institutional care in Ukraine.
In 2008, USAID and the Senate Committee which funds it were called on for support
It was also submitted to the 2008 EU Citizens Consultation.
“The most urgent component of the project below is relief and modern medical treatment for tens of thousands of Ukraine’s children diagnosed as psychoneurologically handicapped. Many have died in state care, in primitive and inhumane conditions. Many are misdiagnosed, and end up in atrocious conditions. Following intense publicity and public discussion of the issue during final preparation of this project, Ukraine’s government agreed on 5 March, 2007 to open more than 400 new treatment facilities for these children all over Ukraine. That commitment from Ukraine’s government was a major step forward, clearly demonstrating Ukraine’s willingness and ability to take initiative in childcare reform first and foremost.”
Today, I am deeply concerned about European Commissioner Michel Barnier, who acknowledged that he read our proposal in 2012.
As VP of the European People’s Party, he would have had a lot to do with another proposal that is unlikely to benefit children in care.
As reported today in Sputnik News and other media:
“Good news from Malta,” Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook. “My thanks to the EPP family for approving a Lithuania-initiated resolution on developing a long-term support plan for Ukraine, the so-called Marshall Plan for Ukraine.”
The background story of another ‘Marshall Plan’ proposal described by an anti-corruption parliamentarian as ‘The Firtash Octopus’ illustrates the willingness of our own politicians to help an oligarch trying to whitewash his image.
I seek neither support nor collaboration, nor endorsement of our proposal. All I ask is for acknowledgement that it exists, so that it can be judged on its own merits.
‘This is a long-term permanently sustainable program, the basis for “people-centered” economic development. Core focus is always on people and their needs, with neediest people having first priority — as contrasted with the eternal chase for financial profit and numbers where people, social benefit, and human well-being are often and routinely overlooked or ignored altogether. This is in keeping with the fundamental objectives of Marshall Plan: policy aimed at hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. This is a bottom-up approach, starting with Ukraine’s poorest and most desperate citizens, rather than a “top-down” approach that might not ever benefit them. They cannot wait, particularly children. Impedance by anyone or any group of people constitutes precisely what the original Marshall Plan was dedicated to opposing. Those who suffer most, and those in greatest need, must be helped first — not secondarily, along the way or by the way. ‘
