What a Joy!

Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

This morning we had the joy of celebrating New Years with our younger children's groups at Saramoldaeva orhanage - about 18 children.  New Years in Kazakhstan is a huge holiday.  The staff and children created an entire production, complete with games and different New Year's characters. 

The morning started with the children entering the room and doing a dance around the tree.  Also, many of the children said New Year's poems. 

 

 

Then a cat and wolf came and tried to steal the tree, because they needed money.  Under the tree they found a golden key, so they left the tree and took the key instead.  The children were happy because their tree was not taken. 

Then Santa and his helper (a snow fairy) came.  They gave children their good wishes and played some games with them.  Santa has a broom that he flies on, so he gave all the children rides on the broom.  Santa then realized that he forgot his bag of gifts and then left to find it. 

In the meantime the winter witch came.  Usually the witch tries to do things to ruin New Years, but this time she just wanted to join the party with her four little friends.  Her four little friends did a dance for us. 

 

 

Santa came back pulling a sled with gifts.  Santa saw the witch and tried to kick her out of the party, but the children told Santa it was okay - they weren't scared.  So, the witch opened the bag of gifts only to find one of the children dressed up as a cow.  Santa was bringing in the year of the cow (2009).  Later Santa brought out another bag of gifts. 

This ended the party - except for a time for the children to dance and for us to give gifts to each child. 

Most New Year's parties have a somewhat similar story.  All of them include Santa, the snow fairy, and a witch.  I hope you enjoyed seeing what a normal children's New Year's party is like here in Kazakhstan. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Taraz staff

First Impressions

Posted by Muhan Majinov, Youth Impact

It was my first time at Savva. We received a warm greeting.  Everyone looked happy to see us and I was glad I could help.   I liked the atmosphere.  The children's rooms were cozy and warm.  I liked the orphanage administration and children.  It looked like they have good relationships.  The children are fed well.  I enjoyed playing and talking with the kids.  I learned a lot about the life of orphans and I want to help them with anything I can.

We showed the movie "Racketeer", about criminal life in Kazakhstan, to the older boys. Watching it brought back memories from my past.  I enjoyed the discussion with the older boys after the movie.  They responded the same way I would have at their age.   They are young and I understand them well enough.  However, I know that deep inside they want to be good and respected people.  The movie wasn't shown to advertise criminal life, but to show the consequences and the end result of such a life.  I think the movie was useful for them and I also got a lot out of the discussion that followed.  I'm looking forward to visiting Savva again.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

The staff in America just wanted to wish all our wonderful blog readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  So . . .

Merry Christmas
And
Happy New Year!

Playing Mailman

Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

Last Saturday evening I got to play mailman at Savva orphanage.  This is a task that I dread and love at the same time.  Every first Saturday of the month we go from group to group at Savva orphanage.  As we walk in, the children eye the box that we carry our letters in.  No matter what other announcements we have for them, their eyes often stay glued to the person opening the letter box.  I liken their anticipation to the excitement of a child on Christmas morning.  On Saturday, as I read off the names of the children receiving letters, you could see their faces light up.  It was such a joy to see how important one small piece of paper or a picture of their sponsor is to them.  

It is the moment after we finish handing out letters that I dread each month.  You can visibly see the faces of those children that did not receive a letter cloud over.  It is especially hard when they have never received a letter.  Those that have received a letter before understand that it takes time for letters to get back and forth.   Those that have never received a letter often have some of their deepest fears confirmed - I am not special, no one wants to be my sponsor, no one cares.  It is hard to read these reactions on their faces and answer questions like "I have written 5 letters in the last six months to my sponsor, why haven't they written back?" 

The great thing is that children quickly forget.  On Sunday one of the girls was telling me that she thought she didn't have a sponsor because she had not received a letter.  When we told her that she did in fact have a sponsor, her face lit up and she was thrilled.  Just knowing that someone cares enough to sponsor her made a difference. 

Thank you to all of our sponsors.   Your letters and pictures mean the world to your children even if they don't do a good job expressing that to you.  Thank you for showing them that someone cares just for them. 

Improvements to the Kids Connection program- Part 3

Posted by the Kids Connection Team

Interlink Kids Connection has new contact information.  Please send letters for sponsored children either to our new address (below) or to our email address (kidsconnection@interlinkresources.org).

Interlink Kids Connection

4630 N. Broadway Ave

Muncie, IN 47303