Hi Celtic Angel,

Thank you for responding.  It comforts me to know that there are other people who believe in spirits and don't discount these experiences as "imaginary."

Lorie,
    No problem.  As far as pictures would go, I would suggest showing her some pictures from an encyclopedia like World Book.  You could use the one with Russia or China or see if there might be a listing for Tuva (I don't think it's a very large though).  That's where I would start.
    I don't discount ANYTHING!  I worked for 10 years as an orderly at a psychiatric hospital and I have seen so many things that I wouldn't have ever believed without experiencing them first-hand!    I have always believed in the paranormal and I think spirits are attracted to me because I grew up next to a country cemetery.  I work at a residential facility for troubled teens that is over 100 years old and there are numerous spirits that dwell there; I have a part-time job at a toy store that is haunted by the ghost of a past employee.  I can sense spirits and I do my best to communicate with them.
    This site has helped me realize that I also have an empathic gift and Ihave been working to develop it.  I have always been able to sense what others are feeling and have been able to pick up on emotions left by others in rooms and on objects.  
    I am sure there are others here that could help you as well.  If you ever want to learn to try and record the person that your neice sees, there is a user in the EVP area that is very helpful named The EVP Man and he is very knowledgeable about making contact with ghosts and recording them.  I wish you luck with Tuwa and I hope your niece is able to keep her special connection with him!  Good luck!

I agree Kindly.  I think that's what first drew me to this post.  Why would a little kid create an imaginary friend that ignores her?  I think it is a spirit and that it is somehow attracted to the house and the little girl.