Blog EN Feldenkrais in schools – A future project of Moving ChildThe Feldenkrais Method, named after its founder, the physicist Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais, is a body-oriented learning method that helps people to learn to perceive themselves more consciously. Access and experience to the Feldenkrais Method can contribute to professional and social learning processes. Through the mostly unfamiliar movements, children learn to perceive themselves better and to find alternatives to their usual behaviour in their own rhythm. It is just a small step from getting to know one’s own self, to the appreciation of the uniqueness of friends and strangers. Feeling and experiencing yourself without judgment helps to treat one another with respect and tolerance. “Learning to think in motion” creates new connections in the brain, enables sensible contact with oneself and expands understanding in contexts. Feldenkrais’ dream was that his method would be taught in schools all over the world. Our plan is to realise Feldenkrais’ original vision of integration and to incorporate features of organic learning into school learning. In doing so, we initially focus primarily on working with financially disadvantaged children, migrants, or children with learning difficulties. Through the movement exercises in the classroom, all students and teachers should become more fully present and their learning process should be more meaningful and connected with their entire being. The Feldenkrais Method is intended to initiate two important processes: First, students and teachers become more self-conscious and more attentive as a result of the Feldenkrais lesson. This will have an impact on the following subject teaching (e.g., mathematics) that will be carried out afterwards. Second, a new language, a new dynamic, gradually develops among the participants. They listen carefully to each other during exercise classes. The students learn to recognize their own progress and think in different directions in order to explore possible solutions. The subject teachers are also involved in this development, they listen to the students more attentively and are more creative in designing their lessons. The result is that teachers are gradually changing the way in which they teach their subject, leaving time for active awareness, exploration, and self-guidance of the students. Our idea of the practical implementation is inspired by and in collaboration with an Israeli pilot project that is being led by Dr. Eilat Almagor and has been successfully implemented since 2015. Dr. Eilat Almagor is leading the project to include the Feldenkrais Method in schools and is working with neuroscientists in Israel and Germany on a scientific study aimed at examining the effects of the Feldenkrais Method on brain activity. Moving Child initially wants to launch projects in Berlin and Munich in which Feldenkrais teachers come to school once or twice per week and teach Feldenkrais movement for 20-30 minutes. The subject teachers are also present. This is followed by the normal subject class, such as mathematics, in which the Feldenkrais teacher then also partakes. Each teacher therefore takes part in the other teacher’s lessons as a student. The teachers meet regularly to prepare their lessons together and to deepen their understanding of Feldenkrais and its connection to learning. Moving Child helps to establish contact and mediation between teachers and schools, to develop the concept and, last but not least, to provide financial support. We look forward to reporting our progress in the future. Sources and references Feldenkrais Association Germany English Interview: Report of the Feldenkrais projekt in Israel (Dr. Eilat Almagor) Scientific publication: Verrel J, Almagor E, Schumann F, Lindenberger U, and Kühn S (2015) Changes in neural resting state activity in primary and higher-order motor areas induced by a short sensorimotor intervention based on the Feldenkrais method. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 9: 232. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00232... Read more...End of term report 2020: Moving Child started supporting 7 new projects2020 was not an easy year. Constant fear, insecurity, and an abundance of financial, health and mental challenges have made life difficult for everyone. The effects of the pandemic are being perceived strongly in Germany, and yet on a global scale our situation is almost comfortable. Nevertheless, there was a drastic shortage for important funding in Germany in the past year. In order to counteract the consequences of the corona pandemic, Moving Child has increased its support for several projects this year. An urgent supply gap had to be closed this year, particularly in schools and in the health sector. In addition, we have included seven new projects in our funding this year and will support them with a total of more than € 180,000. We were very happy to get in touch with such great projects during this difficult time and to support them in their work. These exciting new projects are to be briefly presented here. In the area of health promotion, Moving Child now supports the Institute Trauma and Pedagogy led by Hedi Gies, which aims to help shape the development of trauma pedagogy socially and institutionally, pedagogically and individually. The basic idea of the institute is the creative process of further developing and passing on trauma-pedagogical attitudes, methods and concepts. Moving Child supports the institute in financing specialist trauma counseling for children and adolescents. The children receive advice on stressful everyday issues that are characterized by their often destructive coping strategies due to trauma. In addition, the association Women Health Family Future is sponsored, the purpose of which is to prevent mental illnesses that can occur around childbirth. The work of the association includes individual and personal support during pregnancy, childbirth, and early parental leave. With the help of the association’s initiatives, women, and especially women with psychosocial stress, children, and their families should be given timely access to pre-existing aid measures. These approaches should help to minimize the rate of new cases of peripartum (around birth) mental illnesses. The most recent project in the “health” area ist the Munich Ambulant Children’s Hospice Foundation, which has been caring for families with critically and terminally ill children in Bavaria since 2004. The full-time and voluntary staff look after and accompany patients from diagnosis, through treatments, and beyond. They relieve families in these extremely trying psychological and physical situations and support them via a professional team of doctors, psychologists, social pedagogues, midwives, and nurses. Moving Child especially supports three projects of the foundation: 1) RUF24 (crisis intervention service), 2) therapy costs, and 3) costs for funerals appropriate for children. Wildwasser e.V. is an association against sexual violence in Berlin. Their offers are aimed at girls and women who were exposed to sexual violence as girls or adolescents, and their relatives and supporters. DonyA is a transcultural residential group of the Wildwasser association, which currently comprises nine girls between 12 and 18 years. The young women come to the residential group because they have experienced (sexualized) violence or neglect in their families, are in conflict situations that they cannot resolve on their own, or because their home does not offer the necessary stability. The main goal of the work at DonyA is the empowerment of these girls in all areas of life. In 2020, Moving Child financed a summer holiday for the nine girls, which was the first vacation of their lives for some of the girls and at the same time an important component of the paedagogical work. This year, Moving Child got to know two very special projects in the field of “education”. The first project is the Quinoa School and its provider, Quinoa Education. The Quinoa School is a private school in the social hotspot of Berlin-Wedding with a special goal: all young people in Germany should have the chance to graduate from school regardless of their social and cultural background. Through individual and linguistic support, relationship and family work, career orientation, intercultural learning and behavior management, the students of the Quinoa School will provide the most important skills to lead a successful and fulfilling life. Moving Child finances the project “integrative learning therapy”, which is intended for the development of an individual learning plan and thus to strengthen the self-reflection, motivation and self-efficacy of the students. Furthermore, this year Moving Child has also started supporting the MiBiKids association, which offers German language classes for kindergarten children and schoolchildren with a migration background in the Freising district. The goal of the MiBiKids is to support the children in their school career and thus to increase the chances of a successful professional future. The only admission criteria are a migration background and the willingness to participate regularly. This year, Moving Child also included environmental protection in its statutes and funding program. The first project in this field was carried out by BUND Nature conservation Bavaria. The project was concerned with the suppression of the mass spread of the glandular balsam, an introduced species that displaces native flora and fauna and disrupts the natural water balance. In an area of the alluvial forest near Waldkraiburg, which was completely dominated by balsam, grazing with cattle was initiated, which was hoped to promote the natural meadow vegetation as well as species that need sunny open habitats such as sand lizards, yellow-bellied toads and grass snakes. After just two weeks of grazing, the cattle had almost completely eliminated the balsam. How the vegetation develops longterm will be observed over the next few years. We are very happy to have found such wonderful new projects this year and to see positive developments in the projects that we have sponsored for a long time. It is amazing how much energy, time and love people are ready to gift to their fellow human beings and it makes us happy to be able to support them in their work. Our thanks also go to our donors who helped finance the Moving Child projects this year. We wish you all peaceful and healthy holidays and look forward to the developments in the new year! Anna, Gertraud and Ella ... Read more...Munich Ambulant Children’s Hospice FoundationThe Munich Ambulant Children’s Hospice Foundation (AKM) is the most recent new project supported by Moving Child. The AKM Foundation was founded by Christine and Florian Bronner and has been caring for families with critically and terminally ill unborn babies, new-borns, children, adolescents, and adults as well as critically ill parents living with their children since 2004. The full-time and voluntary staff look after and accompany patients from diagnosis, through treatments, and beyond. They relieve families in these extremely trying psychological and physical situations and support them via a professional team of doctors, psychologists, social pedagogues, midwives, and nurses. Moving Child especially supports three projects of the foundation: 1) RUF24 (crisis intervention service), 2) therapy costs, and 3) children funerals. RUF24 is a free, 24/7 offer from the AKM Foundation. Those affected can get advice over the phone in exceptional crisis situations and the RUF24 staff will meet patients at home or at the clinic within 1-2 hours. This project offers people support and stability in stressful situations. Like the other projects of the AKM Foundation, RUF24 is financed by donations. Moving Child is so positive about the work being done by the AKM Foundation that we will finance the baseline offer of RUF24 for the next three years. Furthermore, the AKM Foundation offers various forms of therapy for those affected and their families. However, trauma therapy, riding therapy, painting therapy, and other forms of therapy are costly, but essential for dealing with trauma and crises. The AKM Foundation pays therapy costs for patients, their siblings, and parents. Here, too, Moving Child supports the AKM Foundation’s offer and finances over 150 therapy hours annually. The third approach that Moving Child funds is the AKM offer of child-friendly funerals. When a child dies, parents and relatives have to organize a funeral at the most difficult time of their life, which is subject to very special requirements. In order to support the families during this time, the AKM Foundation helps organizationally and financially to cope with this task. In addition, the AKM Foundation offers other helpful and supportive projects, such as outpatient hospice work, aftercare projects (e.g. meetings with those affected, creative offers and mourning groups) and advice for relatives. But also “heart’s wishes” (a project that fulfils special wishes), sibling days, and holidays for the whole family are supported by the AKM Foundation. Further projects and donation opportunities can also be found on the AKM homepage. All of these offers allow critically ill children, adolescents, young adults and their families moments of emotional security, comfort, and at least a short return to normalcy.... Read more...The earthquake-proof Annapurna children’s home (Nepal)Hands With Hands is an association of international and Nepalese friends who work on a voluntary basis on the vision of solidarity with one another. They support Nepalese people and organizations and initiate and finance projects that promote empowerment of the local people and communities. Be it in the engagement for children, the establishment of microcredits, or the promotion of renewable energies: Hands With Hands relies on long-term commitment and helping people to help themselves. Their mission statement is “Give the net and not the fish”. In 2013 Moving Child was last in Nepal to visit and observe the work of Hands with Hands directly. A lot has happened since then. The self-sustaining Annapurna children’s home in Pokhara is the association’s main project at the moment. The Annapurna eco-village project is a joint concept of Hand With Hands together with the eco-architecture office “Abari”. The planned children’s home is a very special one: it is adapted to the local conditions, because every year there are several earthquakes in this region with a magnitude of 4.2 – 5.2 on the Richter scale. It is therefore important to build sustainably and, above all, earthquake-proof. The children’s home is located at an altitude of around 1050 m, but due to the terraced structure of the country, it seems to be idyllically situated in the mountains. After several years of preparations, construction work has now started this year. In fact, despite the country’s corona-related lockdown, all four foundations were ready in time for the onset of the monsoon! The construction project will also act as a role model when it comes to environmentally friendly, sustainable construction in an earthquake region. Most of the building materials are from local sources. Treated, weather and insect resistant bamboo is used as the main cladding material and will also be used for the furniture. Bricks made from dried and pressed mud are light, easy to work with and robust; good building material for the earthquake-ridden region. Other building materials that had to be imported, such as cement and iron, were mainly used for the foundation. Here, too, Hands with Hands was lucky: Most of the imported materials have already been used and do not have to be bought at the greatly increased prices that are expected after the lockdown. The road that leads to the children’s home is also being expanded so that in the future the school bus can access the home directly. The construction work will take about three years. During this time, the (currently) 39 children are still housed in temporary accommodation within a 20-minute walk of the new site. When the buildings are completed, the Annapurna children’s home will have a capacity for 55 children; with an extra area for babies and toddlers. The employees are already growing vegetables and cereals on the land that belongs to the site, thus covering 80-90% of the needed food for the children’s home. Self-sufficiency was particularly important during the country’s lockdown, and food could even be shared with the particularly poor from the neighbouring villages. The construction workers, who were not allowed to leave the property during the lockdown, could also be well looked after. During the difficult times in the last few months, the children were also involved in the harvest work. It gave them the opportunity to move during the lockdown and allowed them to learn important skills that will be useful to them later in life. Although of course there were difficulties to overcome, schoolwork was not neglected in past months; despite the pandemic. Tutors even came up from the next village and the children helped and supported each other. The older children in particular helped the younger one’s to study and to do their homework. This year, some of the children have grown up and taken up a profession. One young woman joined the military, a profession that is highly respected among the population. Another started an apprenticeship in a bakery, and another has been hired to be trained as an accountant in a bank. None of this would be possible without Sharada. She is the director of the children’s home and the good soul of the project. She works with the children, some of whom are severely traumatized. She strengthens team spirit and arouses motivation where there has been none for a long time. Many of the children have had traumatic experiences in the past and have been mistreated. Sharada manages to give the children a feeling of togetherness and to create a new family. Annual “brother-sister” celebrations are organized and mutual care and responsibility for one another are required of the children. The children are shown that they have a place in this world, a home and that they are loved. A priceless treasure. It is July 2020, we from Moving Child are sitting in the living room of Kira Kay, one of the founders of Hands With Hands, and enjoy her calm, warm presence. For Kira, working with the children in Nepal is a calling and you can feel it. At some point the term “moving hands” comes up – a slip of the tongue that hits the mark. We feel connected and enjoy the synergetic relationship that we have had with Kira for years. Her deep connection with the country and its people is practically tangible. After Kira finishes her report, we are speechless, moved. We are happy that we can contribute to the progress and development of such a project with Moving Child. But above all, we are glad that we know people who dedicate their energy, their work, and their lives to such an extent to the well-being of others and who make this world a better place.... Read more...Campus di Monaco: enabling learning in times of Corona“Education is the key to the future. As a result of the Corona measures and the school closings, disadvantaged children and young people are currently falling far behind in their educational opportunities. Whole generations of students are left behind!” Antonia Veramendi, principal The Campus di Monaco international Montessori school is an inclusive middle school that opened in September 2019 near Munich Central Station. The pupils here learn together and from one another, regardless of whether German is their mother tongue or a second language. The school integrates a concept of cultural education at all levels of everyday school life: music, art, theater, and dance and thus promotes key skills such as creativity, independence, the joy of discovery, and the spirit of innovation. More than half of the schoolchildren between the ages of 10 and 20 are disadvantaged in the form of migration experiences, health restrictions, or generally a high need for psychosocial support. The school offers services such as tutoring in small groups and creative offers such as wood and art workshops that help to generate a creative balance. They help to overcome trauma and stress caused by flight, war, and separation. Due to the corona-related school closings that have been ordered in Germany since mid-March 2020, the already disadvantaged students suffered particularly. There was a lack of support and stability, the young people were isolated, suffered from the noise in the collective accommodations and the lack of opportunities to retreat. The social services were withdrawn because of the risk of infection and protective masks were lacking. The security and well-being of the young people, as well as their development opportunities, were threatened in many ways. The Campus di Monaco team has achieved remarkable things in the last few months: the teachers kept in contact with the students via borrowed phones, sent tasks by post, or visited the young people directly in the accommodations. The conditions they found were shocking: the rooms were occupied by up to six people, cooking facilities and sanitary rooms were only available on some floors, there were no retreats and quiet learning locations without smaller siblings / roommates around. Sometimes entire families have lost their daily structure. The young people were left alone with their fears. For many of them the teachers were the only remaining contact to the outside world. But the Corona protective measures also have dramatic consequences elsewhere: promised funds have not been received. The information events to attract new students had to be cancelled and therefore the income generated by school fees and parental loans was also lacking. In view of the uncertain situation on the financial market and the economic development, programs of individual foundations were also closed. But here, too, the Campus di Monaco team has shown fighting spirit and made great efforts. They applied for shorter working hours, negotiated with the landlord, organized online seminars instead of parents’ evenings, and promoted the school intensly via social media. “Thanks to all these efforts, we are currently confident and, not least thanks to the great help from Moving Child, reasonably optimistic that we will get through this difficult time.” Brigitte Reichl, Campus di Monaco And things are looking up: Almost all of the students have been back to face-to-face classes since May. Of course, there is still a mask requirement (outside of the well-ventilated classrooms) and thanks to hard-working seamstresses, the students got them free of charge at the school. The best news is that, despite the difficult Corona situation, the senior class started their qualifying exams. Read more about the impressive achievements of the senior class in this school year report (in German)! However, it is uncertain how the situation will progress from here and help is still needed: For example, laptops that can be loaned to the students are urgently needed. These would allow the participation of the pupils in distance learning via video conference, access to online materials, and exchange via email. In addition to the annual support of the Campus di Monaco, Moving Child has set up a special Corona support, which particularly supports the trauma-pedagogical learning workshop (for children: 10-15 years) and the special learning support in the Campus di Monaco Future Workshop (for young people: 15-20 years old). In addition to psychosocial support, the focus of the Future Workshop is on aquiring school-leaving qualifications, career orientation, and job application writing support. The Future Workshop was recently recognized by the Ministry of Education as a vocational training facility. This means that from now on, full-time students who are required to attend vocational school can also be prepared for the secondary school certificate. In addition, in the Future Workshop, former students will continue to be accompanied and supported even after graduation. The last few months have been difficult for all of us, but the Campus di Monaco team continued to work tirelessly during the time the school was closed and with a lot of personal commitment made it through this time well. We are impressed and look forward to the developments over the next few years!... Read more...Moving Child half-year report 2020Moving Child turned 10 this year! The growth and development of Moving Child is a matter very close to our hearts. Over the last decade Moving Child has grown, several new projects were supported, and more and more funds were made available. We are proud and grateful that Moving Child now has such an extensive and impressive list of supported projects. Each of the projects impressed us with its individual approach and concept and it is our personal concern to maintain close contact and exchange with these projects. In this half-year report, we want to give an insight into the projects we are currently funding. Especially considering the difficult situation in the past months, it is important to us to present the state of and developments in the different projects. You can also download this report here. ~ EDUCATION ~ International Schools in Laos and Thailand The two international schools Kiettisack (Luang Prabang, Laos) and Kajonkiet (Phuket, Thailand) naturally had to follow many safety regulations due to the pandemic and both schools were closed in March. However, the students were given virtual lessons at home and the schools did their best to keep in touch with the students. It has to be said that the virtual lessons and, above all, the switch to this form of teaching were absolutely exemplary. The teachers were set up to teach remotely within a few days and were able to provide material and assistance to the pupils. The presented challenges were overcome immediately and exemplary and care was taken to ensure that no child was neglected. Even pre-schoolers were provided with tasks that helped them stay motivated, excited, and challenged during this difficult time. Both schools were opened again in July. Hands With Hands Hands with Hands has been supporting projects concerning social education, health, and the environment in Nepal for years. Hands with Hand focuses on building and managing self-sufficient children’s homes. In view of the pandemic, the children in the children’s homes were of course also in lockdown. Fortunately, there were well-established hygiene standards already in place and the children were able to help each other continue to work on the school assignments despite the lockdown. The self-sufficiency aspect of the children’s homes has been of particular value in recent months: during the lockdown the children still had access to fresh vegetables, cereals, and milk. Moreover, the construction work on the new “Eco Village” project was not completely paralyzed by the pandemic and only now had to be stopped due to the onset of the monsoon. Campus di Monaco – Montessori School Munich The educational success of children and young people is strongly influenced by their social background and the current crisis further highlights existing differences. This was a special challenge for the Campus di Monaco Montessori School in Munich, because more than half of the students have a refugee or migration background. They suffered particularly from the school closures in mid-March: the young people were isolated, they suffered from the noise in the collective accommodation and the lack of opportunities to retreat. The social service workers were withdrawn because of the risk of infection, and protective masks are lacking. The Campus di Monaco team worked tirelessly during school closure and, with a lot of personal commitment, tried to maintain contact with the pupils. Since May things were slowly improving: almost all pupils were back in face-to-face classes and since Pentecost the sixth and seventh grades were also back at school. Of course, there was still a requirement to wear a mask (outside the well-ventilated classrooms) and thanks to diligent seamstresses, students could also get these free of charge at school. The best news is that, despite the difficult corona situation, the senior class finished their final exams. A really impressive achievement! Aid for Refugees in Austria The Syrian family, which Moving Child supports in Austria, was influenced in many ways by the difficult situation in the past months. Fortunately, the older sons were able to continue their education and apprenticeship, but of course the younger children had to drop out of school. Nevertheless, the family of 7 is doing relatively well. They are healthy and help each other: the older siblings help the younger ones with their schoolwork. Even the English summer course for the oldest daughter in Malta can take place. While the oldest daughter is preparing for the final year now, the youngest son will also be starting high school after the summer holidays. ~ HEALTH ~ Network Birth and Family The sewing workshop and the café of the Network Birth and Family in Munich are social initiatives to promote the professional integration of long-term unemployed women. While usually funny, non-toxic toys and clothes for children are sewn in the sewing workshop, there has been a change in the last few months and many colourful masks have found their way into and out of the workshop. The café has also reopened in mid-May and freshly prepared lunches are offered daily following recipes from around the world. The movement classes for the women working in the network, which Moving Child has supported for years, have been resumed on a small scale after the Corona break and will hopefully fully take place again soon. Care for Rare – Child Life Specialists When sick children have to leave their family’s security to be treated in a clinic, their vulnerability becomes particularly apparent. In order for these children to receive the best possible child-friendly and holistic support, in addition to doctors and nurses, social pedagogues and psychologists are also needed who respond to the specific needs of children in the hospital. Moving Child funded the Child Life Specialist program at the Dr. von Haunerschen Children’s Hospital, which focuses specifically on this point: The needs of children in this uncertain situation are perceived and taken seriously. Despite the challenging times, the Child Life Specialist program was launched in May 2020! Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) Although no COVID-19 infected patients were treated directly in the LFHC, the situation in recent months has had a dramatic impact on the work at the hospital. The national borders have been closed and the voluntary, international doctors and helpers have returned to their home countries. Transport options between the villages were also only allowed to a limited extent and often not at all. As a result, the number of outpatients was reduced to about 50 per day, who were often in a very advanced stage of the disease or even in critical condition when they arrived at the hospital. Despite the country’s lockdown, teaching at the hospital continued. Distance learning programs have been set up that have enabled Laotian doctors and nurses to work on selected topics from home. The lockdown has been lifted since May, the doctors are back in the hospital and the number of cases is normalising slowly. ~ CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT ~ mitSprache e.V. This year’s theatre project of the mitSprache association was already in the middle of preparations when the performance had to be cancelled due to the pandemic. However, the organisation for the next project in 2021 is already in full swing! The 10th edition of dance theatre will be performed on May 13 and 14, 2021. This time in cooperation with another one of our funding projects: students of the International Montessori School – Campus di Monaco! The venue will be the Theater HochX in Munich Au, which offers perfect conditions for this event. This year Moving Child started supporting five additional projects: The Women Health Family Future association, the Institute Trauma and Pedagogy, the MiBi Kids, the Quinoa School, and the Wildwasser association in Berlin. We will soon provide more information on these projects on our website. We thank all projects for the wonderful cooperation and all donors for their support! All the best from us and may there be better days waiting for all of us in the second half of 2020! Warmly, your Moving Child Team Anna, Gertraud & Ella... Read more...News from the Lao Friends Hospital for ChildrenThe Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC), opened in 2015, is the first of its kind in Laos; a hospital operated by and for the people of Laos. It was and is financed entirely from foundation and donation funds and is independent of, but in constant communication with, the Luang Prabang State Hospital. In the beginning of May, Friends Without A Border received a 4-star rating from an independent charity testing company (Charity Navigator) for the fifth time in a row, demonstrating its exemplary work. We have already told you about the impressive developments of the neonatal station (see here) and their Department for the treatment of thalassemia (see here). During our visit in February of this year, we were thrilled with the progress of the Lao physician teaching program, that Moving Child initiated and is the sole sponsor. The teaching program at the LFHC consists of two essential pillars: patient education and the training of specialist staff. In particular, the sustainable concept of in-house teaching and training events has fascinated us from the start. The main aim of the LFHC’s educational program is to strengthen the independence and autonomy of the Laotian doctors, but also of the nursing staff. “We were enthusiastic about the motivation and commitment of everyone involved in this project. The independence that is being trained here and the sustainability of this project are exemplary and have deeply impressed us.” Anna, Gertraud, Ella (Moving Child Team) The teaching program is comprehensive and includes daily topic-related lectures and discussion groups, structured English lessons, and exchange with international experts. But what is most important is the emphasis on ‘training for trainers’: The medical staff is trained not only to practically apply the knowledge they have acquired, but above all to pass it on to a new generation of future doctors. The influence, and thus the dependence on international experts, is slowly diminishing and the independence of the Laotian staff is being promoted. The current situation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic So far there have been 19 confirmed corona cases in Laos, three of them in Luang Prabang. Although the LFHC does not treat infected patients directly, the situation has a dramatic impact on the daily life in the hospital. The country borders were closed, and the international doctors and volunteers returned to their home countries. Since then, the work at the LFHC has been mastered with a lot of energy and dedication by the local Laotian doctors and nurses, who have been working around the clock for weeks. Of course, all fundraisers also had to be cancelled, which further worsened the difficult financial situation of Friends Without A Border and the LFHC. Transportation between villages is only possible to a very limited extent. This has reduced the number of outpatients to around 50 a day, who usually arrive at the hospital in very advanced stages of the illness or even in critical condition. It is expected that poverty-related illnesses, such as malnutrition and infections, will occur even more frequently in the next few months. This makes the free treatments offered at the LFHC more important than ever. But there is also good news! The country’s lockdown has complicated the work at the LFHC, but the teaching courses continue. Distance learning programs have been set up that allow Laotian doctors and nurses to work on selected topics from home. All doctors continue to receive two full days of training per month: one with a focus on evidence-based medicine (a virtual journal club) and the other with interactive case studies. The doctors are in constant, lively exchange with each other and, despite the adverse circumstances, continue their training to be able to offer the best possible treatments in the future. We are impressed by the work and motivation of the LFHC team under such difficult and challenging conditions and are happy to report on the positive developments of the teaching program funded by Moving Child. We hope that it will get easier for them and all of us again soon, and thank all donors for their support. Every little bit helps the babies and children who receive treatment in this hospital that they could not get anywhere else. Thank you so much! Your Moving Child Team... Read more...New developments in Luang Prabang, LaosCHARITY EVENT, 26. – 27.01.2019, IN LUANG PRABANG In November 2018, we travelled to Luang Prabang for the fifth time. We felt – despite our 9 months absence – immediately back home. Since we started supporting the children’s hospital, we have been deeply impressed again and again with the speed and dynamic with which it is developing. This fills us with deep gratitude, which we gladly share with all donors and supporters. The longer we were in contact with the children’s hospital, the more concrete became Anna Schulz-Dornburg’s idea and desire to support children and adults in their healing process after sickness, trauma, or surgery. Her plan was to offer holistic medicine in form of Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapy to interested people and also for children after their treatment at the hospital. The idea to organize a charity event for the children’s hospital took shape and the Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Center kindly offered its premises. EAST MEETS WEST – was the translation of Ock Pop Tok, and that was the spirit we integrated in our project and in our work. The atmosphere was very fitting for the charity event and created a welcoming inter- and transcultural context. With flyers in English and Laotian, we reached out to people who were interested in charity events and wanted to experience Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. Additionally, a monk, and close friend of ours, supported the charity event as well, interesting many people from the Buddhist community. We formed a competent and motivated team: Anna Schulz-Dornburg, alternative medicine practitioner, physiotherapist, and cranio-sacral therapist, initiated, shaped, and supported the charity event through the power of her vision and her long-term professional experience. Korn Sriwan, Spa manager and biodynamic cranio-sacral therapist, was and is an important co-organiser and acted as a bridge between cultures – both organisationally, therapeutically, and linguistically directly with the participants of the event. Gertraud Leimstättner, alternative medicine practitioner, conducted the local organisation, gathered the anamnesis questionnaires, and, with the help of a translator, investigated the concerns and ambitions of each participant. On the two days of the charity event, 22 adults and two children got into contact with Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. The interest was encouragingly much greater than we expected. We were happy to find that in addition to the registered participants, a number of other interested people attended, whose curiosity about CranioSacral Therapy had been sparked by hearsay. From the start, it was important to us to create an atmosphere of trust and orientation. Information, education, and the possibility for participants to freely decide how far they wanted to get involved, helped to make the charity event a full success. According to feedback, the participants got a taste of the possibilities available to them – how this method can help and lead them to improve their own holistic feeling with their structural, physical and energetic sensations, and to sense their autonomy and self-efficacy. “I can feel my heart again” “I feel internally upright and permeable” “I have regained confidence in my leg and can strain it normally – 10 years after my accident” The participants donated according to their resources. The entire revenues were immediately and directly handed over to the children’s hospital in Luang Prabang. “We want to thank you very much for organizing the fundraising event in Luang Prabang. We received your donation and we wanted you to know that we truly value all the efforts you did and also the very nice involvement of the community you had in your event.” Anabella Coria Zavala, Director of External Relations Lao Friends Hospital for Children & Friends Gallery, Healing Children. Healing Laos. In any case, these two days were a gift and truly fulfilling pioneering. Inter- and transcultural encounters took place in different contexts and it was a touching and enriching experience for everyone involved. For next year, a whole week of Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy is going to be offered in the course of a second charity event. OPENING OF THE NEONATAL STATION AT FRIENDS WITHOUT A BORDER (FWAB) CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN LUANG PRABANG, LAOS Very soon after our arrival, we visited the children’s hospital – curious about the progress and expansion of the neonatal station. It is now possible to medically treat and support 23 premature infants there simultaneously. An only 7-months-old baby was born during our visit at the hospital. We were able to witness how it powerfully expressed its strong will to live. This experience was deeply touching. Thanks to the medical care at the neonatal station, the chances of survival for these children are now very high. Just 3 months ago, this baby would not have had a chance of life. Today, even children born with an abdominal cleft (gastroschisis) can receive life-saving medical treatment here. In “western” hospitals, a diagnosis such as this can be made already prenatally with ultrasound and if necessary be operated on immediately, but to date the medical care in Luang Prabang is far from that state of preventive care. A heartfelt thank you to all donors, who supported and enabled the opening of the neonatal station with their generous donations. Anna Schulz-Dornburg, founder and managing director Gertraud Leimstättner, managing director of Moving Child gGmbH ... Read more...Charity Event for the Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang PrabangCharity Event for the Lao Friends Hospital for Children 26.–27. January 2019 in Luang Prabang Please download the information flyer here.... Read more...Fundraising for Lao Friends Hospital for ChildrenDepartment for the treatment of thalassemia With annual donations, Moving Child supports a department specialized on the treatment of thalassemia. This anemia, which is caused by malformation and depletion of red blood cells, is a hereditary disease prevalent especially in northern Laos. Untreated, it leads to developmental disorders, damages the heart and lungs, and causes enlargement of the spleen. This can have life-threatening consequences for children. Further information can be found in the following video: By loading the video you agree with vimeo privacy policy.More information Loading video Always unlock vimeo Lao Friends Hospital for Children Fights Blood Disorder from Friends Without A Border on Vimeo. We are very grateful to all donors who have contributed so generously to the Laos Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang. The first fundraising event was an informative and also very touching experience. Nicole Pagoursis (first director) from New York told us about the fascinating history of the Children’s Hospital and the many children whose lives have been saved or greatly improved by medical help provided by the hospital. In order to continue improving the life of Laotian children also in the future, Lao Friends Hospital for Children needs continual financial support. “It is my heartfelt wish to introduce you to the Laotian Children’s Hospital, which I got to know on my journey through Laos.” Anna Schulz-Dornburg Neonatal and infant station In 2016, when the Lao Friends Hospital for Children opened the Neonatal and Infant station in Luang Prabang, 6 beds still seemed enough. However, as the Children’s Hospital is the sole place in Luang Prabang where premature babies receive free medical treatment, the number of infants brought in right after birth is steadily increasing.The current plan is to double the number of beds. For this purpose, a part of the General Hospital in Luang Prabang, which is directly adjacent to the Children’s Hospital, needs to be rebuilt. Your donation will directly help to supply the station with the necessary medication and medical equipment. Thank you very much!... Read more...Health education at the Jigiya Bon CenterFrom October to June, Dr. Oumou Traoré, a Malian doctor, gives two hours’ health education a week at the Center for Girls, addressing all the issues concerning girls from puberty to adulthood: personal hygiene, dental hygiene, protection against infectious diseases (such as malaria, diarrhea, HIV infection), puberty, the menstrual cycle, fertility, sexuality, wanted and unwanted pregnancy, contraception, menstrual hygiene, female genital mutilation. The lessons are age-appropriate and the topics are discussed carefully and sensitively. Cultural, traditional and religious beliefs are also considered alongside a scientific medical approach. In the course of these lessons, the girls also learn important skills. These include reading French out loud and confidently, group work, working out their own contributions, and researching into individual fields. The classes are attended with enthusiasm and curiosity by girls from the Center as well as external schoolgirls. Because the girls have so many questions and such need for conversation, an additional consultation hour has recently been introduced, held once a month. The girls are thus given safety in two respects: They learn to act confidently and are well informed. With their knowledge about the facts of life and their motivation, they can also act as influencers in their personal and school environment. Click here to watch an Arte video: Mali: The protracted struggle against female genital mutilation... Read more...Malibelle Shea Body ButterTreat yourself to something special and support education projects in Mali at the same time! In the Häuser der Hoffnung e.V. online shop you can order Malibelle Shea Body Butter with different scents and also in a gift bag. The rich shea body butter by Malibelle is suitable for normal to dry skin and is quickly absorbed thanks to its delicate texture. It can be used as a body or hand cream, has a naturally soothing and smoothing effect, particularly on sensitive and irritated skin, and makes the skin feel soft and supple. In addition to the subtle, cool “Aqua” classic, it is now also available with a refreshingly spicy “lemon grass” fragrance. Fair trade The shea butter used as an ingredient for Malibelle Body Butter is produced at the Häuser der Hoffnung manufactory in Siokoro. The manufactory is operated by the Jigiya Bon Siokoro cooperative founded by Häuser der Hoffnung together with three Malian associations. The sales proceeds are utilized to promote education and training projects in Mali. In November 2012, Häuser der Hoffnung e.V. and the natural cosmetics manufacturer Börlind GmbH were jointly awarded the Innovation Award for Political Education in Developing Countries for this project by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation. Organically produced The shea butter from Siokoro is certified to Ecocert criteria for certified organic production. It is produced to the highest socio-ecological standards by natural cosmetics manufacturer Börlind GmbH. Click here to order directly... Read more...
