VOA – CONNECT
EPISODE 93
AIR DATE 10 25 2019
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Inclusive Jobs
((SOT))
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We employ people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Youthful Purpose
((SOT))
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
Everyone, no matter how old you are or who you are, can
make a difference. And that’s what I thought when I started
this organization.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Faith and Service
((SOT))
((Eric Lohe, Spokesman, Group Cares))
They come in Sunday with their youth group from around the
country, and then Sunday night, we break them apart and
put them on crews with people they’ve never met before.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
…..and Evie!
((SOT))
((Evie Hurst))
This is me. Look out 'cause here I come.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG) MICHIGAN FAMILY)
((Banner: Michigan Family Story))
((Reporter/Camera: Ailin Li))
((Map: Midland, Michigan))
((Main characters: 2 females))
((Sub characters: 2 males; 1 female))
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
I think the world needs to see them. I think the world needs
to see that, yes, you function, and you function fine. Being
different is just that: it's different. But it's okay to be different.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
My name is Katie Hurst and we have six children. Three of
them are biological children and three are from China that
we've adopted.
When I was seven years old, I read a book about China and
it was called “These Are My People.” It just made me fall in
love with the culture of China.
When my husband and I started dating, it was something
that I knew I wanted to do was go to China, adopt from
China. He was open to the idea, so I kept him.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Little did I know how serious she was. Three adoptions
later…..
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
We started adopting Simon and he came home about six
years ago now. He had Thalassemia Beta Major [a blood
disorder]. We knew he couldn't get the treatment and the
medicine that he needed to sustain his life in China. When
we were adopting Simon, we saw a picture of a little girl,
super cute, chubby cheeks, and it turns out it was Ellie. So,
a year after Simon came home, we did get all the paperwork
together and start the process for Ellie. We were well into
that process when we discovered Evie. She had the same
condition. Born without eyes. Same age. We decided to go
ahead and bring her home along with Ellie.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Katie Hurst))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
All of our kids are great kids. They get along really well.
They have all accepted each other which is a really key
reason we've been able to make this work. We got Evie and
she was very small. She was four and a half years old at
the time and she was 11 pounds [5 kg.]. ‘Failing to thrive’ is
what the doctors called it. We had to be very careful about
what we fed her.
((Courtesy: Katie Hurst))
((Evie Hurst))
How to make a perfect snowball? The three elements of a
perfect snowball are material, size…..
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
By the time we came home a month later, she had gained
six pounds [2.7 kg. She actually ate like a champ that first
week or two. We were all very happy with that.
((Evie Hurst))
Excellent.
((NATS))
((Faith Hurst))
Evie, get up.
((Evie Hurst))
Faith.
((Faith Hurst))
Yeah.
((Evie Hurst))
May I please listen to your “Lead Me To The Cross” by
Hillsong?
((Faith Hurst))
You have to go to school. Come on.
((Evie Hurst))
Is Ellie awake?
((Faith Hurst))
Yeah. Ellie is awake.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Their condition is actually called Anophthalmia. It's
extremely rare. I think it's one in every 250,000. However,
even that number, they are more rare because they were
born without both eyes. I have seen it in a number of cases
of kids waiting to be adopted in China. So, I don't know if
that's more prevalent or if it's just simply the concentration of
the kids being abandoned that need homes.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Just normalizing it and getting them out in the world and
letting people see who they are and enjoy who they are. I
think that cuts down on the fear. I'm proud of who they are
and I think they're genuinely beautiful girls. And I think the
world needs to start to see that.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Say cheese for me.
((Evie Hurst))
Cheese.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Teeth together. Teeth.
((Evie Hurst))
Teeth.
((Popup Banner: Ellie has severe autism and Evie is still
being diagnosed for the disorder.))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Good job, Ellie.
((Ellie Hurst))
Want shoes.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Want shoes next. Okay. Thank you for telling me. Nice job.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Ellie and Evie we both have intensive therapy, whether or
not it's done at school and through the school or outside
organizations. We have speech therapy, occupational
therapy, physical therapy, and we have music therapy, which
is a new addition, and that one has been really, just opened
doors into their mind.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
Daddy doesn’t like the word “thought.”
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Brush your hair.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
All right. Zip.
((Evie Hurst))
I get to go on the bus?
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Yep. Find the door. Step down. One. Two. One. Two. Pick
up your feet.
((Evie Hurst))
I’m going to go all the way down to the driveway.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Here comes the bus.
((Evie Hurst))
Good morning.
((Teacher))
And then, you are going to wait till it comes on.
((Evie Hurst))
Welcome Evie.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Ellie and Evie are both learning Braille. Evie is, she knows
her whole alphabet and she's beginning reading with those.
Ellie is learning Braille. She's a little bit slower on learning it,
so she doesn't know her letters yet, but we are working
towards that.
((Teacher))
Can you do number seven?
((NATS))
((Paul Schroll, Principal, Siebert Elementary School))
Free and appropriate education for all, right? It’s called
FAPE, is something that is mandated by law. And so,
students arrive with needs and we do our best to meet those
needs. Right now, Evie and Ellie are in first grade. So,
there's a first-grade cohort. In Michigan and in United
States, it's recognized that there's a lot of value for having
students that have disabilities learning alongside those
students who do not have disabilities. And there's actually
studies that show that both parts of that equation benefit
from that.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Ellie goes to 33 hours of therapy every single week, and
Evie has multiple hours on top of her schooling that she
does as well. It’s a lot of running around for us, but we've
just seen huge improvements through the therapies that they
do.
((NATS))
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Did you do Braille today?
((Evie Hurst))
Yeah.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Did you do math?
((Evie Hurst))
Yeah. May I please count to jiushi [90 in Mandarin]?
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Go ahead.
((Evie Hurst))
[in Mandarin] One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.
Eight. Nine. Ten.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
How do you say “hi” in Chinese?
((Evie Hurst))
Hi, Chinese.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Evie, say “nihao.”
((Evie Hurst))
Nihao.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
There you go.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
A little faster. Pick up the feet. There you go. Say hello.
((Evie Hurst))
Hello.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Can you find her?
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Ta-da. You found me.
((Evie Hurst))
Find that knob.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
You found it. It's a heavy door. Pull hard and I'll help. All
right. Here we go.
((Evie Hurst))
Well, it's time to start. Evie is playing on the piano, today.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Well, it's time to start. Won’t you play on the piano, today.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Music therapy is helping individuals with special need of one
kind or another to develop and function to their greatest
potential.
((NATS))
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
We're working on motor skills, both fine and gross motor
skills. We're working on communication skills. We're
working on social skills. Turn taking. We're working on
ability to self-regulate, to be able to engage in social problem
solving.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
I don’t like it!
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Well, then, think one second.
((Evie Hurst))
I can’t say “well!”
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Think one second and figure out how you need to tell me
what it is you want.
((Evie Hurst))
May I please have a paddle drum?
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Yes, here is the paddle drum. Where do you want to put it?
((Evie Hurst))
On Ms. Denise’s lap.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
That’s better. Nice job.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
There is unfortunately a misconception, and the way a lot of
people often unconsciously treat individuals with autism, is
that they're not competent. I find this not to be the case.
The individuals I work with, often, depending on the topic, in
many ways, are much brighter and much more gifted than I
am.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
Thank you.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
You are very welcome. I'll see you tomorrow and have a
great day.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Bye. Thank you.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
You are welcome.
((Evie Hurst))
May I please say goodbye to the couch.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Yes. All right. Turn around. Get your cane.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Future expectations. We try not to have too many
expectations. That's where we’ve, kind of, put our lives. We
know Ellie will live with us forever. She will never be
independent. And so, we are trying to secure a future for her
that is secure. For Simon, we just continue to hope and pray
that there is a cure for his condition. There's a lot of good
gene therapy on the horizon and we keep our eyes on that.
And we're hopeful that by the time he's an adult, that's a real
possibility.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
Brush, brush is going to go.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Evie is still…..we are figuring her out.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Katie Hurst))
((Popup Banner: A video of Evie singing during a brain
scan at the hospital went viral on social media.))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Suddenly, we were hitting millions of views and I didn't even
know who was viewing it. I was still in the hospital with Evie.
We would get phone calls from back home, “Mom, it hit 10
million views.” And I went, “What? That's just crazy.” So,
yeah, she just became a little star overnight, which I've
always said, she has some sort of diva gene in her.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Many of us believe Evie is going to go far. She's going to
have a lovely future, probably in music. I suspect she will
continue to sing for the world.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
This is who I’m meant to be. This is me. Look out 'cause
here I come. And I'm marching on to the beat I drum.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Purposeful Farming
((SOT))
((NATS - Rooster crowing))
((Jack Jenkins, Farm Employee))
I’m a big fan of chickens. Clean coops out, get eggs and get
fresh water.
((Tina Jenkins, Jack’s Mother))
He does love it. He loves to get his hands dirty. He likes to
be involved.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) A FARM LESS ORDINARY
((Banner: A Farm Less Ordinary))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera: Adam Greenbaum))
((Map: Bluemont, Virginia))
((Main Characters: 1 female, 1 male))
((NATS))
((Heather: And you just walk, and spread it around. This is
my favorite task!))
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We employ people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and we offer them a welcoming community. We
also grow organic vegetables along the way, and through all
of that, we teach our growers basic employment skills.
((NATS))
((Heather: Jack, why do we start our seeds in trays?))
((Jack: So they can grow faster.))
((Heather: Then what do we do?))
((Jack: Put them outside when they are partially grown.))
((Heather: Yeah!))
((Heather Richardson, Farm Manager, A Farm Less
Ordinary))
I’m always showing the employees how to do everything
step-by-step. So, I really try to stick with it until they fully
understand. Then, I slowly back off, and my goal is to get to
the point where I can be, like, all right, so and so, can you
please go transplant. They know how to get their tray and
what tools they need. Other days, we just have to get the
job done. Like today, we had to spread seeds though it’s
raining, but we had to do it.
((NATS - Rooster crowing))
((Jack Jenkins, Farm Employee, A Farm Less Ordinary))
I’m a big fan of chickens. Clean coops out, get eggs and get
fresh water. I have a big coop at home, like 10 chickens.
((Tina Jenkins, Jack’s Mother))
He does love it. He loves to get his hands dirty. He likes to
be involved. With that comes success. When he plants
something and he sees it growing, he’s very proud of
himself.
((NATS))
((Maya: This is buckwheat, which is a quick growing cover
crop. Feed the soil.))
((NATS))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
So, 2015 we spent that year learning how to farm.
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
So, I signed up for all these classes, beginning farmer
classes, how you get your hands dirty, the financial part of
things. And then, I read a lot of books, and we spent our first
year just experimenting and throwing a lot of seeds in the
ground.
((NATS - Max laughing))
((Greg Masucci, Husband of Maya Wechsler; Co-
Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We have a severely autistic child named Max, our son.
((Maya Wechsler, Wife of Greg Masucci; Co-Founder, A
Farm Less Ordinary))
Max is 11 years old, turning 12 in November. He is a high-
energy boy. He’s nonverbal. Being out here also gives him
an opportunity to burn off some of his energy in a way that
we couldn’t give him, when we lived in the middle of
Washington D.C.
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
So, Max was the inspiration for the farm, but he wasn’t the
whole reason we did the farm.
((NATS – Josh filling water using a hose))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
People with those intellectual, developmental disabilities
have an over 80 percent unemployment rate and we’re trying
to change that.
((NATS))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
When people are not in the employment picture, you know,
they end up being socially isolated as I mentioned, and it
also puts a financial burden on families.
((NATS))
((Jack: Sprinkle fertilizer on top.))
((Heather: Yeah. Why do we add fertilizer?))
((Jack: So this thing can grow.))
((Heather Richardson, Farm Manager))
Farming really helps people with developmental, intellectual
disabilities, because it’s a lot of small tasks that you need to
do with your hands, which a lot of people might not have
great hand-eye coordination or something like that, and it’s
also a lot of fine motor skills which can also be really difficult.
They can learn that, all right, the world maybe set up this
way, but I can make accommodations for myself. I can go
outside of the box and create a tool that can help me get the
job done no matter what.
((NATS))
((Jack: Hey Josh, want to give me a hand with the goats?))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We want to be a stepping-stone. If somebody wants to
continue to work here, that’s great, but if they get another job
outside of here, we’re thrilled.
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We moved out here to, kind of, build our own tribe and
surround ourselves with similar people and I think we’ve
succeeded in that.
((NATS - walking down the farm))
((PKG)) YOUTH HOME REPAIR MISSIONS
((Banner: Young People with a Mission))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera: Mike Burke))
((Adapted by: Martin Secrest))
((Map: Severn, Maryland))
((Main Characters: 1 female, 1 male))
((Sub Character: 1 female))
((Popup Banner:
A faith-based organization, Group Cares, arranges free
home repair missions with Christian youth.
The group is working at multiple locations in Maryland))
((NATS))
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
They give of an entire week of their lives. They come from a
variety of backgrounds and they're mostly willing to give up
and work in the heat and give to someone that they've never
met before. I think it's wonderful. It's not something that we
see that often anymore.
((NATS))
((Homeowner: Not too bad, pretty good.))
((Eric Lohe, Spokesman, Group Cares))
We mostly gear our repairs toward older adults so that we
can, they can stay in their home and remain in their home
comfortably, and/or veterans. There's a local, what we call a
local co-sponsor, oftentimes a church, who also contributes
up to 20-thousand dollars or more. And that combined
money provides for the materials, so that when we come to a
resident like these folks, we can say, ‘We're here to help you
to be able to provide for repairs, but we're going to do that at
no cost.’ I know here in this community, there have been a
number of businesses who also said, ‘We'd love to be
partners in this whole venture to be able to support our
community.’ And so, they've received a lot of donations that,
again, have been used for materials.
((NATS))
((Workers:
I think we have sandpaper.
Do you have sandpaper?
Yeah.
OK, in that case, once you get this, like, OK, all the paper’s
off, then just rub sandpaper across it, just lightly. Don’t do
this.))
((NATS))
((Ursula Brett, Homeowner))
They’re very good, you know, they seem to be very
agreeable with one another, no arguing. And I know they
like music, because I heard them talking about it. They read
different Bible versions, and we went out, they were eating
lunch, and sat with them.
((NATS))
((Worker: So, does anyone want to read Psalm 139?))
((NATS))
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
I have some of the skills to do the repairs but I don't know
anything about power tools.
((NATS: Roof nailer))
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
For example, the roof on the shed, I mean, on the garage, I
couldn't do any of that. And I'm limited now, in terms of just
having the brute strength to do things that I used to be able
to do, that I just can't do anymore.
((Popup Banner: Each youth pays a fee to help pay for the
repair missions))
((NATS))
((Workers: Then we’re going to have to ask Roy what we
need to use to …”))
((Eric Lohe, Spokesman, Group Cares))
So, the kids that come are providing really, in a great way,
for a lot of materials that they get to use and serve the
neighbors that are here.
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
These group of children are being raised in the church, and I
think it matters because they are being, they are getting that
foundation that giving to others is important.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Kids Making a Difference
((SOT))
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
I wanted to make a difference in my community. I wanted to
volunteer.
((NATS))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) KIDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
((Banner: Kids Making a Difference))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera: Adam Greenbaum))
((Map: Crofton, Maryland))
((Main Characters: 2 females, 2 males))
((NATS))
((Caleb: My name is Caleb Oh and I am the founder of a
non-profit organization called Kid Changemakers, and I’m
here to talk to you today about volunteering.))
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
Eight years ago, when I was six years old, I wanted to make
a difference in my community. I wanted to volunteer and
what I found was almost all organizations had age
restrictions. Like you had to be at least 18 years old to
volunteer.
((Margaret Oh, Caleb’s Mother))
He was a little frustrated. And so, for me and my husband, it
was a time to, kind of, think and brainstorm with him about
how he might be able to help out and give back to the
community.
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
This is when I decided to create my own organization, Kid
Changemakers. And Kid Changemakers collaborates with
schools, businesses and other organizations, to set up
numerous food and collection drives throughout the year, to
benefit the homeless, foster youth, the food security and
other causes. We also try to help inspire and ignite a
passion for serving the community in other youths so can
start their own projects.
((NATS))
((Caleb: I wanted to volunteer when I was really young. I
wanted to help people. I wanted to help people that couldn’t
afford food. Same? Yeah, that’s really good!))
((Caleb Oh, Founder - Kid Changemakers))
So today, I did a little presentation and got the kids to do
their own little project. They made cards for veterans.
((NATS))
((Caleb: Do you know what you are going to draw or
write?))
((Girl: I don’t know.))
((Caleb: You don’t know?))
((Caleb: You don’t know? You could do something like,
“Thank you for serving. Thank you for protecting us. Thank
you for your sacrifice.”))
((Caleb Oh, Founder - Kid Changemakers))
They also created little boxes, so they could put money for
their own causes and donate that to a charity event in the
summer.
((Chrissy Rey, Owner and President, Pongos
Interactive))
My name is Chrissy Rey and I’m the president and owner of
Pongos Interactive. And I know Caleb from school. He went
to school with my daughter. We host Caleb’s
organization. He did another service project here where
they were sorting school supply for kids.
((NATS))
((Caleb: Nearly two thousand students emptied out their
desks and lockers the last week of school. We have cases
and cases of donations.))
((Margaret Oh, Caleb’s Mother))
It’s has been quite a journey for him. He’s really matured
and grown. I know at the beginning, he was a little shy
about talking to people about volunteering and the
importance of sharing and being generous to each other.
But as he’s grown up and really seen the difference that he’s
made, he’s gotten more confident about speaking in front of
people, really brainstorming really neat ideas about how to
help people not just in one way, but often 20 ways.
((NATS))
((Margaret Oh, Caleb’s Mother))
And he keeps me really busy. That means driving him to all
these different events and volunteering not just in the state
but also in D.C., Virginia as well as Delaware.
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
All of my classmates are very supportive of the initiative, the
organization, and a lot of them are very excited to
help. Some of them approach me actually, just asking when
the next program is, or the next project is.
((William Myers, Principal, South River High School))
He is a perfect example of what we encourage students to
do here. You know, to really take service as a serious part
of being a good citizen and having sound academics. Being
involved in doing something beyond yourself, that is the key
to having a strong society, one that perpetuates itself and
does the right thing.
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
This year, I received The Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards, which is the largest award that recognizes youth
volunteers. Everyone, no matter how old you are or who you
are, can make a difference. And that’s what I thought when I
started this organization. Everyone can make a
change. Everyone can be the force of change and make
positive growth in their communities.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS
((NATS))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
Near the Turkish Embassy
Washington, D.C.
May 16, 2017
President Erdogan’s bodyguard attacks peaceful protesters
“Those terrorists deserved to be beaten”
“They should not be protesting our president”
“They got what they asked for”
While some people may turn away from the news
We cover it
reliably
accurately
objectively
comprehensively
wherever the news matters
VOA
A Free Press Matters
BREAK
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS
((NATS))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
We make a difference
When we unmask terror
When we explain the impossible
When we confront an uncertain future
When we give voice to the voiceless
The difference is Freedom of the Press
We are the Voice of America where
A Free Press Matters
SHOW ENDS
EPISODE 93
AIR DATE 10 25 2019
FULL TRANSCRIPT
OPEN ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))
Inclusive Jobs
((SOT))
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We employ people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Youthful Purpose
((SOT))
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
Everyone, no matter how old you are or who you are, can
make a difference. And that’s what I thought when I started
this organization.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
Faith and Service
((SOT))
((Eric Lohe, Spokesman, Group Cares))
They come in Sunday with their youth group from around the
country, and then Sunday night, we break them apart and
put them on crews with people they’ve never met before.
((Animation Transition))
((Banner))
…..and Evie!
((SOT))
((Evie Hurst))
This is me. Look out 'cause here I come.
((Open Animation))
BLOCK A
((PKG) MICHIGAN FAMILY)
((Banner: Michigan Family Story))
((Reporter/Camera: Ailin Li))
((Map: Midland, Michigan))
((Main characters: 2 females))
((Sub characters: 2 males; 1 female))
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
I think the world needs to see them. I think the world needs
to see that, yes, you function, and you function fine. Being
different is just that: it's different. But it's okay to be different.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
My name is Katie Hurst and we have six children. Three of
them are biological children and three are from China that
we've adopted.
When I was seven years old, I read a book about China and
it was called “These Are My People.” It just made me fall in
love with the culture of China.
When my husband and I started dating, it was something
that I knew I wanted to do was go to China, adopt from
China. He was open to the idea, so I kept him.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Little did I know how serious she was. Three adoptions
later…..
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
We started adopting Simon and he came home about six
years ago now. He had Thalassemia Beta Major [a blood
disorder]. We knew he couldn't get the treatment and the
medicine that he needed to sustain his life in China. When
we were adopting Simon, we saw a picture of a little girl,
super cute, chubby cheeks, and it turns out it was Ellie. So,
a year after Simon came home, we did get all the paperwork
together and start the process for Ellie. We were well into
that process when we discovered Evie. She had the same
condition. Born without eyes. Same age. We decided to go
ahead and bring her home along with Ellie.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Katie Hurst))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
All of our kids are great kids. They get along really well.
They have all accepted each other which is a really key
reason we've been able to make this work. We got Evie and
she was very small. She was four and a half years old at
the time and she was 11 pounds [5 kg.]. ‘Failing to thrive’ is
what the doctors called it. We had to be very careful about
what we fed her.
((Courtesy: Katie Hurst))
((Evie Hurst))
How to make a perfect snowball? The three elements of a
perfect snowball are material, size…..
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
By the time we came home a month later, she had gained
six pounds [2.7 kg. She actually ate like a champ that first
week or two. We were all very happy with that.
((Evie Hurst))
Excellent.
((NATS))
((Faith Hurst))
Evie, get up.
((Evie Hurst))
Faith.
((Faith Hurst))
Yeah.
((Evie Hurst))
May I please listen to your “Lead Me To The Cross” by
Hillsong?
((Faith Hurst))
You have to go to school. Come on.
((Evie Hurst))
Is Ellie awake?
((Faith Hurst))
Yeah. Ellie is awake.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Their condition is actually called Anophthalmia. It's
extremely rare. I think it's one in every 250,000. However,
even that number, they are more rare because they were
born without both eyes. I have seen it in a number of cases
of kids waiting to be adopted in China. So, I don't know if
that's more prevalent or if it's just simply the concentration of
the kids being abandoned that need homes.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Just normalizing it and getting them out in the world and
letting people see who they are and enjoy who they are. I
think that cuts down on the fear. I'm proud of who they are
and I think they're genuinely beautiful girls. And I think the
world needs to start to see that.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Say cheese for me.
((Evie Hurst))
Cheese.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Teeth together. Teeth.
((Evie Hurst))
Teeth.
((Popup Banner: Ellie has severe autism and Evie is still
being diagnosed for the disorder.))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Good job, Ellie.
((Ellie Hurst))
Want shoes.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Want shoes next. Okay. Thank you for telling me. Nice job.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Ellie and Evie we both have intensive therapy, whether or
not it's done at school and through the school or outside
organizations. We have speech therapy, occupational
therapy, physical therapy, and we have music therapy, which
is a new addition, and that one has been really, just opened
doors into their mind.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
Daddy doesn’t like the word “thought.”
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Brush your hair.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
All right. Zip.
((Evie Hurst))
I get to go on the bus?
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Yep. Find the door. Step down. One. Two. One. Two. Pick
up your feet.
((Evie Hurst))
I’m going to go all the way down to the driveway.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Here comes the bus.
((Evie Hurst))
Good morning.
((Teacher))
And then, you are going to wait till it comes on.
((Evie Hurst))
Welcome Evie.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Ellie and Evie are both learning Braille. Evie is, she knows
her whole alphabet and she's beginning reading with those.
Ellie is learning Braille. She's a little bit slower on learning it,
so she doesn't know her letters yet, but we are working
towards that.
((Teacher))
Can you do number seven?
((NATS))
((Paul Schroll, Principal, Siebert Elementary School))
Free and appropriate education for all, right? It’s called
FAPE, is something that is mandated by law. And so,
students arrive with needs and we do our best to meet those
needs. Right now, Evie and Ellie are in first grade. So,
there's a first-grade cohort. In Michigan and in United
States, it's recognized that there's a lot of value for having
students that have disabilities learning alongside those
students who do not have disabilities. And there's actually
studies that show that both parts of that equation benefit
from that.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Ellie goes to 33 hours of therapy every single week, and
Evie has multiple hours on top of her schooling that she
does as well. It’s a lot of running around for us, but we've
just seen huge improvements through the therapies that they
do.
((NATS))
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Did you do Braille today?
((Evie Hurst))
Yeah.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Did you do math?
((Evie Hurst))
Yeah. May I please count to jiushi [90 in Mandarin]?
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Go ahead.
((Evie Hurst))
[in Mandarin] One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.
Eight. Nine. Ten.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
How do you say “hi” in Chinese?
((Evie Hurst))
Hi, Chinese.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Evie, say “nihao.”
((Evie Hurst))
Nihao.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
There you go.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
A little faster. Pick up the feet. There you go. Say hello.
((Evie Hurst))
Hello.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Can you find her?
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Ta-da. You found me.
((Evie Hurst))
Find that knob.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
You found it. It's a heavy door. Pull hard and I'll help. All
right. Here we go.
((Evie Hurst))
Well, it's time to start. Evie is playing on the piano, today.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Well, it's time to start. Won’t you play on the piano, today.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Music therapy is helping individuals with special need of one
kind or another to develop and function to their greatest
potential.
((NATS))
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
We're working on motor skills, both fine and gross motor
skills. We're working on communication skills. We're
working on social skills. Turn taking. We're working on
ability to self-regulate, to be able to engage in social problem
solving.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
I don’t like it!
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Well, then, think one second.
((Evie Hurst))
I can’t say “well!”
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Think one second and figure out how you need to tell me
what it is you want.
((Evie Hurst))
May I please have a paddle drum?
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
Yes, here is the paddle drum. Where do you want to put it?
((Evie Hurst))
On Ms. Denise’s lap.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
That’s better. Nice job.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
There is unfortunately a misconception, and the way a lot of
people often unconsciously treat individuals with autism, is
that they're not competent. I find this not to be the case.
The individuals I work with, often, depending on the topic, in
many ways, are much brighter and much more gifted than I
am.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
Thank you.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
You are very welcome. I'll see you tomorrow and have a
great day.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Bye. Thank you.
((Denise Travis, Music therapist))
You are welcome.
((Evie Hurst))
May I please say goodbye to the couch.
((Craig Hurst, Father))
Yes. All right. Turn around. Get your cane.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Future expectations. We try not to have too many
expectations. That's where we’ve, kind of, put our lives. We
know Ellie will live with us forever. She will never be
independent. And so, we are trying to secure a future for her
that is secure. For Simon, we just continue to hope and pray
that there is a cure for his condition. There's a lot of good
gene therapy on the horizon and we keep our eyes on that.
And we're hopeful that by the time he's an adult, that's a real
possibility.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
Brush, brush is going to go.
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Evie is still…..we are figuring her out.
((NATS))
((Courtesy: Katie Hurst))
((Popup Banner: A video of Evie singing during a brain
scan at the hospital went viral on social media.))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Suddenly, we were hitting millions of views and I didn't even
know who was viewing it. I was still in the hospital with Evie.
We would get phone calls from back home, “Mom, it hit 10
million views.” And I went, “What? That's just crazy.” So,
yeah, she just became a little star overnight, which I've
always said, she has some sort of diva gene in her.
((NATS))
((Katie Hurst, Mother))
Many of us believe Evie is going to go far. She's going to
have a lovely future, probably in music. I suspect she will
continue to sing for the world.
((NATS))
((Evie Hurst))
This is who I’m meant to be. This is me. Look out 'cause
here I come. And I'm marching on to the beat I drum.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Purposeful Farming
((SOT))
((NATS - Rooster crowing))
((Jack Jenkins, Farm Employee))
I’m a big fan of chickens. Clean coops out, get eggs and get
fresh water.
((Tina Jenkins, Jack’s Mother))
He does love it. He loves to get his hands dirty. He likes to
be involved.
BREAK ONE
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK B
((PKG)) A FARM LESS ORDINARY
((Banner: A Farm Less Ordinary))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera: Adam Greenbaum))
((Map: Bluemont, Virginia))
((Main Characters: 1 female, 1 male))
((NATS))
((Heather: And you just walk, and spread it around. This is
my favorite task!))
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We employ people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and we offer them a welcoming community. We
also grow organic vegetables along the way, and through all
of that, we teach our growers basic employment skills.
((NATS))
((Heather: Jack, why do we start our seeds in trays?))
((Jack: So they can grow faster.))
((Heather: Then what do we do?))
((Jack: Put them outside when they are partially grown.))
((Heather: Yeah!))
((Heather Richardson, Farm Manager, A Farm Less
Ordinary))
I’m always showing the employees how to do everything
step-by-step. So, I really try to stick with it until they fully
understand. Then, I slowly back off, and my goal is to get to
the point where I can be, like, all right, so and so, can you
please go transplant. They know how to get their tray and
what tools they need. Other days, we just have to get the
job done. Like today, we had to spread seeds though it’s
raining, but we had to do it.
((NATS - Rooster crowing))
((Jack Jenkins, Farm Employee, A Farm Less Ordinary))
I’m a big fan of chickens. Clean coops out, get eggs and get
fresh water. I have a big coop at home, like 10 chickens.
((Tina Jenkins, Jack’s Mother))
He does love it. He loves to get his hands dirty. He likes to
be involved. With that comes success. When he plants
something and he sees it growing, he’s very proud of
himself.
((NATS))
((Maya: This is buckwheat, which is a quick growing cover
crop. Feed the soil.))
((NATS))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
So, 2015 we spent that year learning how to farm.
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
So, I signed up for all these classes, beginning farmer
classes, how you get your hands dirty, the financial part of
things. And then, I read a lot of books, and we spent our first
year just experimenting and throwing a lot of seeds in the
ground.
((NATS - Max laughing))
((Greg Masucci, Husband of Maya Wechsler; Co-
Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We have a severely autistic child named Max, our son.
((Maya Wechsler, Wife of Greg Masucci; Co-Founder, A
Farm Less Ordinary))
Max is 11 years old, turning 12 in November. He is a high-
energy boy. He’s nonverbal. Being out here also gives him
an opportunity to burn off some of his energy in a way that
we couldn’t give him, when we lived in the middle of
Washington D.C.
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
So, Max was the inspiration for the farm, but he wasn’t the
whole reason we did the farm.
((NATS – Josh filling water using a hose))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
People with those intellectual, developmental disabilities
have an over 80 percent unemployment rate and we’re trying
to change that.
((NATS))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
When people are not in the employment picture, you know,
they end up being socially isolated as I mentioned, and it
also puts a financial burden on families.
((NATS))
((Jack: Sprinkle fertilizer on top.))
((Heather: Yeah. Why do we add fertilizer?))
((Jack: So this thing can grow.))
((Heather Richardson, Farm Manager))
Farming really helps people with developmental, intellectual
disabilities, because it’s a lot of small tasks that you need to
do with your hands, which a lot of people might not have
great hand-eye coordination or something like that, and it’s
also a lot of fine motor skills which can also be really difficult.
They can learn that, all right, the world maybe set up this
way, but I can make accommodations for myself. I can go
outside of the box and create a tool that can help me get the
job done no matter what.
((NATS))
((Jack: Hey Josh, want to give me a hand with the goats?))
((Greg Masucci, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We want to be a stepping-stone. If somebody wants to
continue to work here, that’s great, but if they get another job
outside of here, we’re thrilled.
((Maya Wechsler, Co-Founder, A Farm Less Ordinary))
We moved out here to, kind of, build our own tribe and
surround ourselves with similar people and I think we’ve
succeeded in that.
((NATS - walking down the farm))
((PKG)) YOUTH HOME REPAIR MISSIONS
((Banner: Young People with a Mission))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera: Mike Burke))
((Adapted by: Martin Secrest))
((Map: Severn, Maryland))
((Main Characters: 1 female, 1 male))
((Sub Character: 1 female))
((Popup Banner:
A faith-based organization, Group Cares, arranges free
home repair missions with Christian youth.
The group is working at multiple locations in Maryland))
((NATS))
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
They give of an entire week of their lives. They come from a
variety of backgrounds and they're mostly willing to give up
and work in the heat and give to someone that they've never
met before. I think it's wonderful. It's not something that we
see that often anymore.
((NATS))
((Homeowner: Not too bad, pretty good.))
((Eric Lohe, Spokesman, Group Cares))
We mostly gear our repairs toward older adults so that we
can, they can stay in their home and remain in their home
comfortably, and/or veterans. There's a local, what we call a
local co-sponsor, oftentimes a church, who also contributes
up to 20-thousand dollars or more. And that combined
money provides for the materials, so that when we come to a
resident like these folks, we can say, ‘We're here to help you
to be able to provide for repairs, but we're going to do that at
no cost.’ I know here in this community, there have been a
number of businesses who also said, ‘We'd love to be
partners in this whole venture to be able to support our
community.’ And so, they've received a lot of donations that,
again, have been used for materials.
((NATS))
((Workers:
I think we have sandpaper.
Do you have sandpaper?
Yeah.
OK, in that case, once you get this, like, OK, all the paper’s
off, then just rub sandpaper across it, just lightly. Don’t do
this.))
((NATS))
((Ursula Brett, Homeowner))
They’re very good, you know, they seem to be very
agreeable with one another, no arguing. And I know they
like music, because I heard them talking about it. They read
different Bible versions, and we went out, they were eating
lunch, and sat with them.
((NATS))
((Worker: So, does anyone want to read Psalm 139?))
((NATS))
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
I have some of the skills to do the repairs but I don't know
anything about power tools.
((NATS: Roof nailer))
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
For example, the roof on the shed, I mean, on the garage, I
couldn't do any of that. And I'm limited now, in terms of just
having the brute strength to do things that I used to be able
to do, that I just can't do anymore.
((Popup Banner: Each youth pays a fee to help pay for the
repair missions))
((NATS))
((Workers: Then we’re going to have to ask Roy what we
need to use to …”))
((Eric Lohe, Spokesman, Group Cares))
So, the kids that come are providing really, in a great way,
for a lot of materials that they get to use and serve the
neighbors that are here.
((Kate Snyder, Homeowner))
These group of children are being raised in the church, and I
think it matters because they are being, they are getting that
foundation that giving to others is important.
((NATS))
TEASE ((VO/NAT))
Coming up…..
((Banner))
Kids Making a Difference
((SOT))
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
I wanted to make a difference in my community. I wanted to
volunteer.
((NATS))
BREAK TWO
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
BLOCK C
((PKG)) KIDS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
((Banner: Kids Making a Difference))
((Reporter: Faiza Elmasry))
((Camera: Adam Greenbaum))
((Map: Crofton, Maryland))
((Main Characters: 2 females, 2 males))
((NATS))
((Caleb: My name is Caleb Oh and I am the founder of a
non-profit organization called Kid Changemakers, and I’m
here to talk to you today about volunteering.))
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
Eight years ago, when I was six years old, I wanted to make
a difference in my community. I wanted to volunteer and
what I found was almost all organizations had age
restrictions. Like you had to be at least 18 years old to
volunteer.
((Margaret Oh, Caleb’s Mother))
He was a little frustrated. And so, for me and my husband, it
was a time to, kind of, think and brainstorm with him about
how he might be able to help out and give back to the
community.
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
This is when I decided to create my own organization, Kid
Changemakers. And Kid Changemakers collaborates with
schools, businesses and other organizations, to set up
numerous food and collection drives throughout the year, to
benefit the homeless, foster youth, the food security and
other causes. We also try to help inspire and ignite a
passion for serving the community in other youths so can
start their own projects.
((NATS))
((Caleb: I wanted to volunteer when I was really young. I
wanted to help people. I wanted to help people that couldn’t
afford food. Same? Yeah, that’s really good!))
((Caleb Oh, Founder - Kid Changemakers))
So today, I did a little presentation and got the kids to do
their own little project. They made cards for veterans.
((NATS))
((Caleb: Do you know what you are going to draw or
write?))
((Girl: I don’t know.))
((Caleb: You don’t know?))
((Caleb: You don’t know? You could do something like,
“Thank you for serving. Thank you for protecting us. Thank
you for your sacrifice.”))
((Caleb Oh, Founder - Kid Changemakers))
They also created little boxes, so they could put money for
their own causes and donate that to a charity event in the
summer.
((Chrissy Rey, Owner and President, Pongos
Interactive))
My name is Chrissy Rey and I’m the president and owner of
Pongos Interactive. And I know Caleb from school. He went
to school with my daughter. We host Caleb’s
organization. He did another service project here where
they were sorting school supply for kids.
((NATS))
((Caleb: Nearly two thousand students emptied out their
desks and lockers the last week of school. We have cases
and cases of donations.))
((Margaret Oh, Caleb’s Mother))
It’s has been quite a journey for him. He’s really matured
and grown. I know at the beginning, he was a little shy
about talking to people about volunteering and the
importance of sharing and being generous to each other.
But as he’s grown up and really seen the difference that he’s
made, he’s gotten more confident about speaking in front of
people, really brainstorming really neat ideas about how to
help people not just in one way, but often 20 ways.
((NATS))
((Margaret Oh, Caleb’s Mother))
And he keeps me really busy. That means driving him to all
these different events and volunteering not just in the state
but also in D.C., Virginia as well as Delaware.
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
All of my classmates are very supportive of the initiative, the
organization, and a lot of them are very excited to
help. Some of them approach me actually, just asking when
the next program is, or the next project is.
((William Myers, Principal, South River High School))
He is a perfect example of what we encourage students to
do here. You know, to really take service as a serious part
of being a good citizen and having sound academics. Being
involved in doing something beyond yourself, that is the key
to having a strong society, one that perpetuates itself and
does the right thing.
((Caleb Oh, Founder, Kid Changemakers))
This year, I received The Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards, which is the largest award that recognizes youth
volunteers. Everyone, no matter how old you are or who you
are, can make a difference. And that’s what I thought when I
started this organization. Everyone can make a
change. Everyone can be the force of change and make
positive growth in their communities.
CLOSING ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS
((NATS))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
Near the Turkish Embassy
Washington, D.C.
May 16, 2017
President Erdogan’s bodyguard attacks peaceful protesters
“Those terrorists deserved to be beaten”
“They should not be protesting our president”
“They got what they asked for”
While some people may turn away from the news
We cover it
reliably
accurately
objectively
comprehensively
wherever the news matters
VOA
A Free Press Matters
BREAK
BUMP IN ((ANIM))
((PKG)) FREE PRESS MATTERS
((NATS))
((Popup captions over B Roll))
We make a difference
When we unmask terror
When we explain the impossible
When we confront an uncertain future
When we give voice to the voiceless
The difference is Freedom of the Press
We are the Voice of America where
A Free Press Matters
SHOW ENDS
