I met with Sakler Moo and Ali at our “Office” at the Stewart’s Convenience Store in Schaghiticoke, N.Y. this afternoon. He just finished his orientation at the Albany Academy, and he feels comfortable and at ease in the school.
Classes haven’t started yet.
I wanted to meet with him privately and talk about how we would work together over the next few years to ensure his privacy and also raise the money for our share of his tuition and costs, between $5,000 and $6,000 a year.
We both agreed that I should see him once a month – anywhere of his choosing, school, home, my farm, our “office.”
I said I didn’t need to see him at school every time, or even often I now thought it best to keep that private, we could meet periodically at his home or elsewhere to talk about how he is doing at this private school, considered one of the best anywhere.
The family was upset last week by an aggressive reporter who approached Sakler at the school without permission. The school called Ali who said no permission had been given. So we’re talking about how to protect Sakler from this kind of intrusion in the future.
Sakler is shy but very self-possessed.
He doesn’t rattle and doesn’t want to be treated any differently than any other student. And of course, he wants to feel just like any other student, not a “refugee” student in need of help and attention.
He said he is completely comfortable with me and trusts me, he will be happy to talk to me and be photographed any time and at any place. He said I have never made him uncomfortable or uneasy.
I said that meant a lot to me, I wouldn’t abuse the privilege, I know he needs lots of space and support to deal with this enormous change. I also know he can and will handle it, and I told him we will do our part and support him as quietly as I can.
I said people do need to see him periodically and he said he understood that. “I am grateful,” he said.
Ali came with him, and we are all planning to have dinner next week in Albany, my family, Sakler’s family, Ali’s family, including his legendary mother. We are excited.
Ali’s mother has loved belly dancing all of her life, and she and Maria are very anxious to meet one another.
I feel very good about Sakler, I believe we have more than $2,500 in his tuition fund for 2019 (Maria and I are going away from Sunday to Wednesday morning) and I hope to have the full amount in the bank over the next few weeks if I can.
We are not seeking any further support from the school or from anywhere but the Army of Good.
We will do this ourselves., in part so Sakler can enter into this new experience and not have to worry about where he is going next year. His money is in a special bank account that cannot be used for any other purpose.
Sakler is an impressive person, I am proud and delighted to support him, and I thank you all for helping to do this. We are doing good, and in the right way, I think.
If you wish to contribute, you can send a donation to me, Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected]. Please mark it “Sakler Moo.”
Federal regulations now require that all monies coming into me must have my name on the Payable to line – these accounts are registered under my name – people can write out what the payment is for anywhere on the check.
The money will go precisely where you want it to go, the account will be audited monthly by a bookkeeper and an accountant in New York City.
How great this feels.
