The relation between man and nature is a big part of the greenlandic identity. Kaassassuk often use their boat to take the boys out into the fjord. One and a half hour away from Nuuk, they are surrounded by jagged mountains and the sound of seagulls screeching. They are on their way to check whether they have caught any salmon in the nets, that Anninguaq, one of the adults at Kaassassuk, set earlier that day. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl.
STILL PICTURE STORY by Oscar Scott Carl – made in the fall 2018 during his third term at DMJX.
Six neglected Greenlandic boys have found a safe home at an orphanage called “Kaassassuk” in Nuuk. The red and white house is filled with both hugging and anger, but most of all care and hope for the future. The numbers are high for abused and neglected children in Greenland. Up to a fourth of Greenland’s children have experienced violence at home and almost one-third have been abused.
The
boys of Kaassassuk are a part of those statistics, but they are also
young boys that have found a home where they have learned that the pain
from their past is something they can learn to live with.
The story of Kaassassuk is the story of a place that fights against the dismal numbers and statistics.
This afternoon the boys are going running across the golfcourse. Winter has arrived early in Nuuk this year. Today’s menu consists of high winds, knee high snow and minus degrees. Bad weather is not an excuse to avoid the physical routines. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl.Paul is the youngest boy in the house. He has been living in Kaassassuk for 1,5 years. He just met his brother for the first time in 6 months but only had 10 minutes with him, before he had to leave. Paul doesn’t know when he will see him again. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl.It is time for relaxing before dinner is served. The boys are watching youtube videos in the big TV-room. After dinner, the last part of the daily routines awaits. The boys take turn vacuuming, folding the laundry, washing the floors or dusting, depending on which day of the week it is. At 20:30 the boys go to bed. Early the next morning the alarm clock rings and a new day begins. Strict routines are an important part of the everyday life for the six boys. It gives the boys a sense of consistency and security, which they have never experienced before in their lives. Top left: Svend Erik (15 Years old), top center: Malik (12 years old), top right: Siiva (12 years old). Bottom center: (Lauritz 14 years old), bottom right: Paul (12 years old). Photo: Oscar Scott Carl. The boys participate in a lot of different running competitions. This time they are on their way up the greenlandic westcoast to run in 5 towns over the next 5 days. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl.A lot of time is used on running and hiking outdoors as physical activity and nature are a very important part of the daily life. In general, the boys go around with their guards up, as they scan their surroundings to protect themselves. However, when they are pressed physically, they drop their guards and completely relax. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl.It is a calm morning at Kaassassuk. Paul and Siiva have time to relax after the morning run, and before they have to go to school at 8 o clock. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl. Svend-Erik is 15 years old and the oldest at Kaassassuk. He really likes to hunt and is also the best runner at the orphanage. He is so talented, that he won a silvermedal at a 35km extreme run competing with adults. He dreams of becoming a chef. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl. Lauritz and Paul are looking for shooting stars. It’s 6o’clock in the morning and minus 7 degrees. For a short moment the two boys have time to completely relax. Photo: Oscar Scott Carl.
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