Catching a Glimpse of Hope

Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

During my time in Lynchburg and Richmond, I had the opportunity to meet with sponsors.  I was able to share what Kids Connection has been able to do with the funds they have given and introduce them to the Kids Connection staff.  Overall, I met with over 60 sponsors.  I especially enjoyed the opportunity I had to answer specific questions that sponsors had about their children and deliver letters.  It was also fun to watch as sponsors caught a glimpse of how they are providing hope for these children!

I am looking forward to similar meetings that I will have with sponsors in Muncie, IN next week.  Although I miss being with my friends and children in Kazakhstan, I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to connect with many sponsors and friends here in the USA.

The Wonders of Technology

Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

This blog will probably only be interesting to those that enjoy technology, but I thought it would be a fun thing to share.  Last year we moved our Kids Connection database into an online format.  This allows our coordinators in Kazakhstan and the USA to have updated information at all times.  It decreases the likeliness of children or sponsors getting lost as information gets transmitted across the the ocean. 

As of January, our database became accessible to our staff in Kazakhstan using the iPod Touch.  When we visit an orphanage, we are able to make immediate changes to our database (even though we are offline), which syncs with our online database as soon as we return to our office.  This has allowed us to increase our efficiency as we communicate with sponsors. 

This has also been extremely helpful during my time in the States.  As I meet with sponsors, I am able to quickly answer questions about their children, payments, etc.  I continue to be amazed at how much technology allows us to do as we work together to provide hope for the children of Kazakhstan. 

Trip to Savva Orphanage

Posted by Moldyr, Youth Impact Coordinator

We visited Savva orphanage on the last day of winter. The kids greeted us with a lot of hugs and much love as usual.  The goal of Youth Impact Department this time was to talk to the graduates about their plans after they leave Savva. Some of them are really worried about their future and our goal is to help them make good choices. Most of the girls plan to go to PTL (vocational school) to study cooking, hair-dressing or sewing. We offered them other options for consideration such us going to college and become teachers or medical workers. Some of them started thinking about that because before they thought that they have no choice. Of course, when giving this information we take into account their level of education and abilities. When I talked to one of the boys about his future career he told me that he is going to a vocational school in Chu but after that he plans to go to college to be a fire fighter as his father.  One of the girls said that her dream is to be a soccer coach but she is going to PTL in Taraz first. Another girl said that she really likes cooking and she is happy that this is what she will study in Taraz.  We believe that every graduate should find a profession that they like and we are helping them to realize that.    

Many Thanks

Recently we were contacted by a woman who is planning to adopt from Kazakhstan some time this year. In anticipation of her time here she decided to send orphan children a special gift and hand knitted 45 beautiful winter hats.

Last week we gave these hats to the children of the Saramoldaeva orphanage. They were thrilled to receive these hats in the midst of the cold season here. 

Although we do not have any role in the adoption process we do enjoy meeting Americans and other foreigners who come to adopt.

Thanks to all of you back home for caring and supporting the work that we do.

March Means Spring!

In America we mark spring on the calendar but here in Kazakhstan they put on Spring Concerts.

At the Savva orphanage, in Merke this weekend, we attended two concerts. The first concert featured children dancing in colorful spring outfits and flowers. Then we attended the older children's concert, held outside, where we bid farewell to winter and welcomed in the new spring season of 2009!

The young girls in picture at the bottom of this post are receiving their gifts for Women’s Day, celebrated every March 8th. (At Savva we celebrate early due to the long distance drive). These gifts were given by our sponsors back home. All of the girls received a gift pack and we also purchased juicy naval oranges for all the children.