Relationships

Posted by Gilpin Brown, Delegate

Relationships!  Pam and I continue to be impressed by the fact that this life is all about relationships.  We each had serious questions as to whether we were supposed to come on this Kids Connection trip to Kazakhstan and then in the last four weeks prior to the departure date we felt the nudge to come.  Now we are more than convinced that we made the right decision and that we were supposed to be in this place at this time.  It’s never an easy trip for various reasons, but the love, caring and richness of the relationships we have witnessed as well as experienced first hand has, at times been overwhelming.  The freedom, openness and undeserved love we have both felt with “our family”, Aben, Sholpan and their children have filled us to overflowing, sometimes even literally. 

In addition to that, to see Marci and Oksana, Tom and Anna and Walter and Janet with their little girl, Lila, has shown us what a difference a caring adult can make in an orphan’s life.  There were the open tears and hugging and the quiet sitting with arms around each other type of love.

Pam and I are SO thankful for this unique, powerful and rich opportunity and blessing in our lives.

Love

Posted by Janet Varvel, Delegate

We all agreed this morning that we feel so much love for these children.  To see Tom with his Anna is enough to bring tears.  She sticks to him like glue and he does not mind.  You have heard about Marci and Oksana.  The first day Oksana tried to hide her beautiful smile because of irregular teeth, but by the second day she had just one big smile.  They just want to be touched.  Our Lilya is a petite 9 year-old, and always wants my hand or lap.  She runs to Walter just like a long lost child.  We are humbled - so humbled by this undeserved love.  Those letters mean much more than we will ever know - someone really cares!

A New Life

Posted by Tom Garnett, Delegate

Before I came with the Kids Connection delegation to Kazakhstan, I was searching my heart and mind trying to understand why I felt a “tugging” on my heart to go on this trip.  Yes, I knew in my heart I wanted to see little Anna face to face.  We have sponsored her for two years.  What I have realized since being here is that there was something else I could not identify.  What I now realize is that I have received a newness in life that has caused me to want to grow beyond the material world.  I do not yet know what this new life will be like, but I look forward to seeing where it takes me.  One of the highlights so far on this trip was seeing the love flowing from the faces of “our children” at Saramoldaeva.

A Dream Becomes Reality

Posted by Walter Varvel, Interlink Resources Board Member

This delegation trip is my 12th visit to Kazakhstan since 2001.  I have come to expect the surprises and the joys I experience every time I am here.  Friday, it was witnessing three young orphan girls named Oksana, Anna, and Lila first meet their Kids Connection sponsors and literally leap into the arms and laps of Marci Meeks, Tom Garnett, and Janet Varvel.  The room instantly filled with love, laughter, and many tears - including those of the Kazakh Director of Saramoldaeva Orphanage. 

Saturday night, we went to a nice Turkish restaurant to celebrate Marci and our Kazakh “daughter”, Tursynai’s 21st birthday.  Tursynai lived with us for one year in 2007 while she underwent corrective leg surgery.  After dinner she wanted to dance and dance and dance.  I watched with amazement at the miracle that had taken place in this beautiful young lady.  For 13 years, Tursynai could only walk with the aid of crutches.  In 2003, I asked her about her dreams.  She told me she wanted to be able to dance like the other children.  O, how that dream has come true!

While she lived with us in 2007, Tursynai told me that her big dream was to go to University and become a social worker to help other orphans.  This summer she won a full scholarship to the Kazakh National University in Almaty and is working hard to achieve that dream. 

As I watch new sponsors meet their children for the first time and see the bond of love grow between them, I can only imagine how many more of these children will begin to have hope and dreams for their future. 

A Face that Lights Up

Posted by Marci Meeks, Delegate

I have heard many stories from many friends over the years about Kazakhstan.  I have listened to their excitement wondering if I would ever share in the experience.

Well, I am here.  I have come and I found out today why I am here.  Our first day in Taraz, a visit to Saramoldaeva and meeting Oksana, the child whom we sponsor  - the purpose of this trip.  As I wandered through the rooms, I was in awe of the cheerful, colorful, light-filled rooms.

As we were entering another room, I was told that my child was inside.  As I entered the room, many people walked ahead of me, so I viewed this small face between bodies that instantly lit up.  She ran to me and jumped into my arms and we held each other so tight.  We hugged and when we leaned back to look into each other's faces, she took her hands and cupped my face.  It is so hard to explain how her touch said more than words ever could.  It was precious.  She is precious!  Our tears and smiles and the warmth of her little body next to mine ...  I did not want the moment to end.  I am so excited to spend more time with her tomorrow!

Kids Connection Delegation

Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

The Kids Connection Delegation arrived safely in Taraz this evening.  Yesterday they had the opportunity to visit our offices in Shymkent.  Today they drove from Shymkent to Taraz, stopping at a small orphanage that we work with in Vanofka.  They had a few hours to play with the children that were not in school.  Tomorrow they will visit Saramoldaeva Orphanage, the home of several of their sponsored children.  Stay tuned as they will be posting stories and pictures from their trip. 

Training Teachers at PTL

Posted by Olya Cherevko, Youth Impact Manager

On October 1st, Sara Coggins and I provided training for the teachers of PTL (Polytechnic School) on the topic "How to Deal with Negative Behavior". The training went very well and the teachers enjoyed the examples that Sara gave from her teaching experience. At the end of the training we asked for their feedback and suggestions on topics they would be interested in for future trainings. Most of the teachers stated that they have students with different IQ levels and it is very difficult to prepare teaching material for the entire class. They expressed interest in learning more about new teaching methods and hearing more practical examples from teaching practice in the United States. Many of them suggested watching a video of an American teacher teaching a class for children with Special Needs.  They also would like to learn how to address personal problems with their students individually.

Learning to Trust

Posted by Olya Cherevko, Youth Impact Manager


This month Youth Impact started classes again with 30 students applying for the program. We decided to begin with activities focused on "Building Trust" and "Team Work" . 


Building trust
Most of the youth had a very difficult time trusting each other at the beginning, but with each activity they were able to increase their trust. Since betrayal is a theme in their lives, many of the youth are guarded, and have learned to rely on themselves.  They gave good examples of who should and should not be trusted.

Team Work
Team work was a new concept for the youth who has been told by society that they need to think of themselves to survive in life. When we did team work activities, the youth were not very successful. After a discussion on what makes a good team, we did these activities again and they worked
together better. Youth themselves came to conclusions of why it did not work the first time. One of the participants had a very good example based on her experience as a soccer player.  She said, "To win we have to work together otherwise we will lose."

My Thoughts About the Carnival

Posted by Balzhan Agibayevna, Youth Impact Participant 

The concept 'carnival' means entertainment. For a carnival you try all the stations and go through all the difficulties set in front of you. Having participated in the carnival I understand that life is not so difficult.  I helped Kiikzhan and Ken by supporting them in the sponge toss station and tried to do the job I was given.

As I watched the kids playing, I remembered my own childhood, when I lived at Ulan Orphanage. We used to have carnivals with the Americans in the evening, when we enjoyed our time without getting tired.  We were surprised that the carnival didn't take place for any special reason, but just to help us be self-confident, brave and ambitious in our lives.  Life is full of miracles, colors and surprises. There are not only bad patches in life.  You may think it over and take a different view of life, and understand that it is not the end of everything. 

Playing with the kids I thought that now they are the ones who are hurrying to play, trying to know more and doing what they are told.  On the day of the carnival the children hurried, argued with each other, and didn't get in line.   However, I understood that they just wanted to have a good time.  They also wanted to lead a varied life.  In spite of the cool weather they weren't sad and continued playing.  I had good impressions of our time.   I am very grateful for Interlink Resources and the staff for their support, understanding, and the opportunity we had of getting what we didn't have.