What Exactly Does Interlink Do? - Youth Impact

Posted by Beth Turnock, Interim Director

It's the young child's face you see when you first enter the orphanage that captures your heart.  The child's face often reflects uncertainty and caution as he or she inwardly evaluates whether or not you too will be one of those people who offer a glimmer of hope which later ends in disappointment.  Those coming on short-term delegations, sponsors and our staff in-country often wonder what kind of future these kids will have.  How do you transition from an institution where you live in family groups and where your basic needs are, for the most part, adequately met to being on your own having to make life decisions?  I think back to when I graduated from High School and went on to a small private university.  Even with my parents offering advice, helping me with finances and guiding me through the maze of life decisions, I still found it to be frightening and intimidating.  At least I knew that if I failed, I had a home to return to.  Graduation day for these kids is often filled with anxiety and fear for when they step off the orphanage grounds for the last time they know that they are pretty much on their own. 
 
Each year we see at least 75 kids between ages of 15 and 18 graduate from local orphanages.  Usually the 15-years-old have completed 9th grade and go on to a trade school where room and board is provided.  Older kids if they are fortunate enough to have good grades may be awarded a scholarship to attend a university.  Others may find themselves out on the street, turning to whoever might give them a place to sleep.  These are the forgotten kids, the ones most likely to turn to drugs, alcohol, stealing or prostitution.  Gone is the look of caution or curiosity and often the faces look empty, hardened by the years of disappointments. 
 
This last year we felt that something needed to be done to make a difference in the lives of these kids and so a team of us got together and the Youth Impact program was born.  Geared towards meeting the needs of these kids, the curriculum covers important life skills like setting goals, overcoming obstacles, dealing with feelings, health & nutrition, managing money, having a family, morals and spirituality.  Those completing the life skills portion will go on to employment training and gain some practical experience at local businesses.  Our long-term goal is to have several apartments where kids can practice these skills under the guidance of a mentor.  The success of this program will be because of the caring staff working with these young people and the donations made by generous supporters whose lives have been touched by these youth who will no longer be forgotten. 

What Exactly Does Interlink Do? - Kids Connection

Posted By Bethany Planton, Kids Connection Administrator

Kids Connection is the child sponsorship program of Interlink Resources. It seeks to improve the overall welfare of the orphans and often forgotten children of Kazakhstan. Each child is sponsored by someone in the states. They send a quarterly payment that goes to benefit the whole orphanage that the child is at. We have been able to celebrate each child's birthday. At Ulan orphanage, we were able to purchase a new sound system for the orphanage. For Savva orphanage, we were able to repair their heating system. At Saramoldaeva orphanage, we have been able to purchase computers for each of our groups. At Vanofka orphanage, we helped provide supplies for a work crew that came from the states to turn their second floor into bedrooms for two new children. At Rakhym orphanage, we completely remolded the kitchen. All of these things are possible because of the sponsors. Currently we have all the children at Savva orphanage sponsored, but are looking for about 80 more sponsors for children at Ulan orphanage.

What Exactly Does Interlink Do? - Teacher Impact

Posted by Zina Omarova, English Program Manager

The following is a full description of the Teacher IMPACT Program. Please click on the image to preview in a larger size.

What Exactly Does Interlink Do? - Business

Posted by Beth Turnock, Interim Director

Over the years the business department has evolved into what it is today. Early on the business department provided training to local people on how to start a business using ethical business principles. Economically Kazakhstan is growing quickly and there are many new business opportunities for local people and foreign investors. One of the challenges we face is to promote a more ethical business model since there is often a thread of corruption that weaves itself through most all business ventures. As we hear the president's commitment to curtail the corruption it is our hope that we will see positive changes in this area.

Some of our business initiatives with a lasting impact include assisting with the start-up of the Interlingua English School and a woodworking shop at a local orphanage. This woodworking shop has allowed the youth to learn a valuable skill, they are able to make furniture for their orphanage and contract for other jobs for schools and orphanages. More recently the business department has shifted focus on supporting the work of the Youth Impact program. We are in the process of developing curriculum for youth on how to start their own businesses and completing curriculum on employment skills. In addition to this we are looking at starting a for-profit business here in order to provide employment training for youth as well as make a profit which can go back into supporting our overall work. We are excited to see how the business
department will grow in the next few years and give back to the community.