The Abandoned Barn
The Bobby family was going on another trip. This time they had a project at an abandoned barn. The Bobby family included the parents, Linda and Larry, who were photographers. They were taking their 5-year-old twins. Molly and Mark. Going to this old farm and Barn was so exciting for the kids, because of their love for animals.
Their mom said there were no animals but just the environment made the kids very happy. So the family got into the Station Wagon and drove three hours to the farm, which was on a dirt road.
The twins said "mom can we go explore " she said, " yes but stay together and not too far." The kids ran over the hill and saw a bright red barn. They looked inside and saw freshly used stanches. Mark said to Molly "I thought mom said there were no animals."
Molly's eyes grew as she looked behind her brother. She saw a chocolate cow in the pasture. She knew it was a chocolate cow because it was brown and white. They slowly went up to the cow. As always Molly loves all animals.
"Hello," Molly said. "My name is Molly, and this is my brother Mark. Are you a chocolate cow?" Molly asked.
The cow said, "Hello. My name is Coco. I am the Chocolate cow." Mollys and Mark's faces sparkled with joy.
"Mark! Molly! Lunchtime." They heard their mom calling. "I will come back after I eat and we can talk," Molly said. When they got to lunch Molly and Mark told their parents they found a chocolate cow. They were confused and astonished.
After lunch, Molly went to talk to Coco with her mom.
"So what's like living here"? Molly asked the cow.
The cow looks super sad. Lonely the cow replied. "There are no other cows or animals here," Cow said. Molly asked, "Well can I help?" Cow said.
"How"? As Molly thought, she said, "Well, we can transfer you to another farm". The cow was not excited. Then Molly got an idea.
"My parents are photographers. We can have an open house or festival on the farm. Maybe somebody may want to start a farm and add more animals." Molly said. The cow loved the idea.
Molly and her mom ran back and told her father, and he agreed to that, a great idea for the project.
The night of the open house, so many people loved Coco and were interested in starting a farm.
Then a man came and asked Molly's Parents for some info. He grew up on a farm and wanted to start a dairy farm. So they found out what needed to be done. So they got the guy started. The parents got the pictures they needed of Coco and the barn. This was perfect. They submitted the project and won another award.
They stayed longer at the farm to help the new farmer. The kids helped take care of Coco. Then after the guy got goats, chickens, and of course some cows it was time for the family to go home.
When they got home, Molly drew pictures of Coco. She asked her mom, ``When I grow up, can I own a farm?"
Her mom replied " You can do anything you want, and I think you will be perfect on the farm. Those animals would be lucky to have you."
Molly can't wait for the next adventure. She's very gifted in that area and loves helping her parents on projects.
So parents got pictures done and got Coco a new family. Once again, Molly saved another animal.
By: Kelly Vedder
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Magical Castle
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As a society, we often like to think of ourselves as protectors and advocates for the most vulnerable among us – our children. However, the harsh reality is that even in a developed country like the United States, children are not always safe from abuse and neglect. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Minnesota child welfare system, where numerous instances of abuse and mistreatment have been reported, raising questions about the effectiveness and ethics of the system. One of the most alarming issues within the Minnesota child welfare system is the high rates of re-abuse. According to a report by the Star Tribune, nearly a quarter of the children who are placed in foster homes by the state are abused or neglected again within five years. This is a devastating statistic, as these children are already victims of abuse and neglect, and it is the responsibility of the child welfare system to ensure their safety and well-being. However, it seems that this system is failing in its duty, leaving these vulnerable children at risk of further trauma. Moreover, there have been several cases of physical and sexual abuse in foster homes, further highlighting the flaws in the child welfare system. In one shocking case, a 10-year-old girl was sexually abused by her foster father, who had been convicted of child pornography before being approved as a foster parent. This raises serious questions about the vetting process for foster parents and the lack of oversight in the system. How is it possible that a convicted abuser was allowed to be a foster parent and harm a child in the state's care? Another concerning issue is the overrepresentation of children of color in the child welfare system. According to data from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, African American children make up only 5% of the state's child population, yet they account for 20% of children in out-of-home care. This disproportionate representation raises questions about racial bias in the system and whether children of color are being unfairly targeted and removed from their families. Furthermore, the Minnesota child welfare system has been criticized for its high caseloads and inadequate resources. Social workers in the state are often overwhelmed with heavy caseloads, which can result in delayed response times and inadequate assessments of vulnerable children's situations. This lack of resources and support not only puts children at risk of re-abuse, but it also puts a strain on the already overburdened social workers, leading to burnout and high turnover rates. The consequences of these issues within the Minnesota child welfare system are grave. Not only are children being re-victimized, but their chance of living a stable and fulfilling life is also significantly impacted. Studies have shown that children who experience abuse and neglect are more likely to struggle with mental health issues, educational difficulties, and even criminal behavior in the future. By failing to adequately protect these children and provide them with the support they need, the child welfare system is setting them up for a lifetime of challenges. In conclusion, the abuse of children in the Minnesota child welfare system is a serious and ongoing issue that requires immediate attention. The system's flaws, including high rates of re-abuse, inadequate resources, and bias, have left many vulnerable children at risk and failed in its fundamental duty to protect them. It is the responsibility of the state to address these issues and make significant changes to prevent further harm to its children. Every child deserves to be safe, loved, and cared for, and it is time for the Minnesota child welfare system to live up to that duty. Start writing...
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