Future Projects

The Fishermen is a new organization with limited funds, but with your help we will expand our existing services and implement new projects to further benefit those in need. There are no regional limitations to our projects, but we do prefer to examine orphanages and refugee camps in countries wherein other NGOs are less involved.

The following is a list of countries wherein we have established communication with governmental officials and/or orphanage directors in preparation to begin implementing our operations as finances permit. This list is subject to change, however, due to regional stability and need for the services we offer.implemented when resources permit. Any form of support you wish to offer will be welcome.

Central Asia

Kazakhstan: There are over 75,000 children living in orphanages in Kazakhstan. Additionally, due to extensive nuclear testing activities outside of Semipalatinsk during the Soviet era, many Kazak children living near this area have moderate to severe birth defects. These children will require a great deal of attention from our services.
Tajikistan: More than half of Tajikistan’s population is under 18 years of age, amongst which are 11,000 institutionalized children. Since poverty has forced more than one million Tajiks to find work abroad, problems have arisen with child abandonment. More than 80 percent of the institutionalized children in Tajikistan are not orphans. Additionally, one-fifth of Tajikistan’s schools were destroyed in the civil wars of the 90’s, leaving many children without any means of obtaining an education.

Balkans

Albania: Albania remains one of the poorest nations in Europe, giving rise to problems with education, health, and nutrition. Roughly 52 percent of Albania’s child population attends primary school and seventy percent of the Roma population lack birth certificates, without which they are not eligible for an education or health services. Additionally, nearly 460,000 refugees entered Albania during the Kosovo conflict of 1999, many of whom never returned to their home country. Although most of these refugees have been integrated into Albanian society, many remain transient and without access to education or health care. A large portion of Albania’s institutionalized child population is the result of this refugee dilemma. Overall, the problem with institutionalized and orphaned children in Albania is slight. There are only 10 orphanages in Albania with roughly 20 to 40 children each. Of the services we provide, the delivery of medical supplies is the most needed.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: The conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina of the 90’s still plagues this country in many ways. The complicated government structure has left gaps in the delivery of social services, depriving many marginalized children access to health care and education. Additionally, the number of maimed children due to land mines continues to grow. Poverty has forced many Bosnian families to fragment or find work abroad, leading to the institutionalization of children. Despite all of this, there are only 6 orphanages in Bosnia which need our attention. Though these orphanages offer excellent care, they are still in need of medical supplies and attention.
Republic of Macedonia: There is only one orphanage in Macedonia, which makes our humanitarian effort fairly simple in this country. The “October 11” orphanage is well-equipped and has just received educational software from USAID. Of the services we provide, the delivery of medical supplies will be the only one necessary to assist the 145 children of October 11.
Republic of Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo: There are 14 orphanages operating in Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo, of which two are for special children. Land mines are still a problem, giving rise to the number of orphaned and/or maimed children. Additionally, more than 630,000 refugees have lived in camps on Serbian territory due to the conflicts of the 90’s, many of whom still do not have a home and are without identity papers. Health care and education are a major problem with the children of these refugees.

Eastern Europe

Moldova: Thousands of Moldovan children grow up without the care of one or more of their parents. More than 14,000 children are in institutions, deprived of family care. There are 23 orphanages operating in Moldova, all of which are in need of medical and educational support.
Romania: Although the number of institutionalized children is declining, there are still more than 80,000 children living in orphanages in Romania. Medical attention is needed in all Romanian orphanages as well as information about HIV/AIDS.
Ukraine: The institutionalization of children in the Ukraine is a major problem. Since the Soviet-era infrastructure has not been successfully replaced, the needs of these children have gone largely without attention. Children lack adequate education and health care, and HIV/AIDS is near epidemic level. There are over one hundred orphanages in the Ukraine, several of which have been established for children born with birth defects due to the Chernobyl accident. Every orphanage in the Ukraine is in severe need of all of our services.

Asia

Mongolia: There are 11 orphanages operating in Mongolia. Although they receive a moderate amount of attention from local and overseas supporters, they are still in need of medical supplies.

Africa

Ethiopia: There are over 4 million orphans in Ethiopia. Access to clean water is rare. Education and health care are inadequate. Although there are a number of government and NGO operations providing support for the orphans of Ethiopia, more attention is needed. Although our efforts are just a drop in the bucket, what we provide will make a world of difference to the children we will be able to help by establishing our presence.

Future Projects “Wish List”

The following are countries where we wish to operate once finances and experience permit:

Siberia (Russia): There are thousands of institutionalized and street children who have little to no support from either the Russian government or NGOs. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is nearing an epidemic level and educational support is minimal. Traveling to Siberia is both difficult and very expensive, making any humanitarian effort problematic. We currently lack the funding necessary to take on this massive program.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: North Korea is currently suffering from massive food shortages, as well as severe lack of medical and educational supplies. A steady flow of refugees continues to cross the border into the People’s Republic of China, where orphaned children are quickly hidden from the authorities by caring individuals operating unofficial orphanages. We currently lack the experience needed to successfully engage this sensitive issue.
Islamic Republic of Iran: Early in the morning of December 26, 2003, a massive earthquake struck the southern Iranian city of Bam. It was quickly determined that the quake had left nearly 3,000 children without parents. We wish to provide the orphans of Bam, as well as other orphaned children in the following provinces (Ostans), with the assistance they need in order to live healthy, productive lives:
1. Hormozgan
2. Kerman
3. North Khorasan
4. Razavi Khorasan
5. Sistan and Baluchistan
6. South Khorasan
7. Tehran
8. West Azerbaijan
By teaming up with NGOs already operating within Iran we hope to be able to begin assisting Iranian orphaned children in the very near future.
Occupied Palestinian Territory: Armed conflict continues to kill hundreds of children in the occupied territory, and unexploded ordinance is an ongoing threat regardless of the status of regional hostilities. Access to jobs, schools, and hospitals is extremely limited due to checkpoints and roadblocks. Orphaned children number in the thousands and are without proper medical care in most cases. The danger to NGO personnel operating in the occupied territory is very high, however, and we currently lack the experience necessary to provide effective protection for our mission volunteers.

General Projects

We believe in a well-rounded approach to helping others and in doing as much as possible to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The following is a list of projects ready to be implemented when resources permit. Any form of support you wish to offer will be welcome.

1. HIV/Aids Awareness and Prevention

GOAL: HIV/AIDS is an epidemic prevalent in all regions of the world. By teaching children how to effectively prevent the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus, as well as identifying its signs and symptoms, we hope to keep them safe from this deadly illness.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: With proper funding we wish to distribute translated information packets to orphanages. Volunteers knowledgeable of the HIV/AIDS virus are encouraged to travel with us on mission trips to help educate children and administrators about this disease. Being newcomers in the war against HIV/AIDS we welcome any support possible from veteran organizations, such as UNAIDS, to prepare an effective program.

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2. Drug Awareness and Prevention

GOAL: Being orphaned is a terrible experience, making escape from reality an appealing option to many traumatized children. We endeavor to teach orphans how to avoid substance abuse and concentrate on their futures.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: In addition to translated information packets which will be distributed to orphanages, volunteers will be encouraged to travel with us on mission trips to help educate children and administrators about the perils of drug abuse. Existing programs in the US and elsewhere which have been proven effective in the fight against drugs will be a welcome model for us to follow. Association with the UNODC is an essential part of our program.

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3. Tuberculosis Awareness and Prevention

GOAL: Tuberculosis is a deadly respiratory disease that can be found world- wide, especially in developing countries. Our awareness and prevention program will help orphaned children and orphanage administrators identify this illness and provide methods by which it may be avoided. The goal of this program is to keep these children and their caretakers safe from this highly infectious disease.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: Translated information packets for orphanages will explain how to identify and protect against Tuberculosis. Qualified volunteers will be encouraged to travel with us on mission trips to provide medical advice. Existing programs designed to fight TB in rural areas, and working in coordination with the WHO, are of particular interest.

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4. Illness Detection and Prevention

GOAL: Children in orphanages are typically housed in very cramped quarters, making the spread of disease a constant threat. Teaching children and administrators how to recognize the onset of common illnesses, as well as methods to prevent their transmission, will help keep these children healthy.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: A simple emergency guide entitled Basic Medical Care is being authored by founder Sarah Blocher. This book will be written in such a way that it will be easily translated into any language and can be understood and used by both orphanage administrators as well as children. A section will be devoted to identifying and preventing common illnesses.

Additionally, medical volunteers will be made available to provide requested information to orphanage administrators via the Forum. Questions may be answered in person during mission trips when qualified volunteers are present. Help from the CDC, UNICEF, and WHO is greatly desired.

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5. Hygiene Awareness and Care

GOAL: Hygiene awareness is of the utmost importance for a population of children and young adults. Hygienic care prevents the transmission of illnesses, and orphans in many cases have not received proper counseling regarding personal cleanliness. We intend to provide information and tools to orphaned children regarding dental care and personal health to ensure a them long and healthy life.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: Time will be spent during mission trips to teach children basic hygienic care. Financial support is needed to provide material such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc. A second area of this project is providing dental hygiene classes in areas with safe, running water. Dental volunteers will be asked to travel with us to orphanages to teach directly to children how to care for their teeth. There are many existing dental missions from which we will attempt to gain advice and assistance.

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6. Education Support

GOAL: We encourage a continuous and effective education for children in orphanages and refugee camps. By providing these children with the supplies they need to attend class, as well as volunteers to help with tutoring and transportation, we hope to ensure that they will be able to achieve a well-rounded education.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: There are several parts to this ambitious project:

A) We desire to provide the supplies needed in order for children to attend class, such as books, paper, pens, etc.
B) For those for whom a school is not available, we endeavor to provide local tutors and volunteer teachers.
C) Where transportation is needed, it is our goal to hire local drivers to take children to and from their schools.

Our Education Support program is our largest and most time-intensive future project. Although there are plenty of similar programs, each country has its own particular system, so we will rely heavily on local support. Again, any advice you may have that will make our goal a reality will be greatly appreciated. Since UNICEF has been heavily involved in supporting education we endeavor to build a strong relationship with this important organization to make as much of a difference as possible.

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7. Counseling for Chilbirth/Care

GOAL: Pregnancy and child-rearing for a young single mother can seem like an impossible challenge. This project will educate soon-to-be mothers and orphanage administrators about pregnancy, childbirth, and how to provide for their child and themselves.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: Via our online forum as well as through qualified medical volunteers, we will provide information on childbirth and care. Additionally, our Basic Medical Care manual will detail the necessary points of childbirth in simple terms. A simplified instruction manual on childbirth will also be made available to all orphanage administrators. We wish for any underage mother to have access to vital information so that she does not feel alone or helpless in this difficult situation. UNICEF and UNIFEM will be two target agencies with which we will establish cooperation to further our cause.

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8. Physical Therapy

GOAL: Due to conflict or birth defect, there are many orphaned children who are missing limbs or are otherwise handicapped. Outside the US, most countries are not handicapped-friendly. These children need all the help they can get in order to function effectively in society. Of all the children who need our care, these are the ones who need us the most. Our desire is to provide information, prosthetic limbs, and therapy to prepare these children for life outside the orphanage.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: Once funding is available we will recruit physical therapists to accompany us on our missions. These therapists will assess the needs of these children and treat them how they are able. For those with more serious handicaps we endeavor to locate volunteers within the mission country willing to carry on the work of our therapists in their absence.

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8. Unexploded Ordinance Awareness and Prevention

GOAL: Thousands of children in former war zones are maimed or killed every year by unexploded mines, artillery shells, and aerial bombs. Our Unexploded Ordinance Awareness and Prevention program will educate orphaned children and orphanage administrators how to identify and avoid these threats.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THIS GOAL: We are currently seeking qualified volunteers who will travel to orphanages in former war zones to educate children in awareness and recognition of un-detonated munitions.

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Future Projects

Central Asia

Balkans

Eastern Europe

Asia

Africa

Future Projects “Wish List”

General Projects

1. HIV/Aids Awareness and Prevention

2. Drug Awareness and Prevention

3. Tuberculosis Awareness and Prevention

4. Illness Detection and Prevention

5. Hygiene Awareness and Care

6. Education Support

7. Counseling for Chilbirth/Care

8. Physical Therapy

8. Unexploded Ordinance Awareness and Prevention

Future Projects

What Do We Need?