Veterans’ Day

Posted by Olya Cherevko, Youth Impact Manager

In Kazakhstan, May 9^th is Victory Day of the Great Patriotic War (war fought by the Soviet Union as part of World War II).

To honor the veterans of that war Interlink staff and some orphanage graduates who participate in Youth Impact program visited 14 veterans and brought them food packages.

It was a touching moment to see youth presenting gifts, saying good wishes with love and respect to veterans. One of the veterans, an old lady, met us with tears in her eyes. When we asked her why she was crying she said that she had fallen recently. It grieved her that she was so old and weak and could not do many things any longer. It hurt to see her crying. One of the girls began crying too. All the girls surrounded her with their hugs just to share her sadness. The old lady hugged them and didn’t want them to leave.

Another veteran showed us his portrait where he was young. What surprised us was that he was still active and cheerful. He was so hospitable and wanted us to take a photo with us.

Container Work Day

Posted by Bethany Planton, Kids Connection Stateside Coordinator

On Saturday, May 2, we had a packing day for the shipping container (more info).  Approximately 25 people came to help us organize and pack the donated items. It was a HUGE success! Thank you to all the volunteers that gave of your time and helped us. We could not have done it without you.

Some of the wonderful people who helped:

Everyone working:




Trailer with all the packed boxes:

If you would like more information about this project and how you can help, please email Bethany.

Men’s Day in Kazakhstan

Posted by Ken

One of the nice things about Kazakhstan is they celebrate Men’s Day. Not “Fathers Day” which only applies to dads.

Because there are so many orphans we support we can not do a lot in the way of gifting but try to get them something they’ll all enjoy. So this year we decided to get sunglasses. This is an adventure in and of itself as purchasing 230 sunglasses can be challenging, however Kiikzhan and I found a vendor who gave us really good prices.

The guys loved the sunglasses and had fun choosing a size that fit them. They wore them instantly, even in the evenings while in doors. They are also kind enough to lend them to the girls to wear for a time. The picture of young children are from Saramoldaeva and the older children are from the Savva orphanage in Merke.

Friday we will treat the Saramoldaeva guys to a dinner and a movie. Since we only sponsor 3 groups at Saramoldaeva we like to do something a little special with them.

Thanks again for all your support. Even a small gift like sunglasses bring a little joy in the lives of our children here and they greatly appreciate it.

Future of Orphanage Graduates

On April 8th we hosted a forum at Interlink office and invited directors of all the orphanages we’re working with, vice-director of vocational school, directors of the Department of Education and the Committee on the Protection of Children’s Rights. The goal of the meeting was to address the needs and problems of youth graduating from orphanages and how we all can work together to help make their transition easier.

After the Youth Impact program presentation we had two program participants share what they’ve gained from the program and their plans for future. They told how the program helped them when they just left the orphanage and all the difficulties they faced, and decisions they had to make on their own.

Then all the orphanage directors and directors of the Department of Education and the Committee on the Protection of Children’s Rights expressed their interest in the program and made some suggestions. Normally we start teaching life skills classes after the kids leave the orphanage and go to a vocational school but one of the orphanage directors suggested to start the program a year or two before the kids leave the orphanage. It was also suggested to have a business course for the graduates who want to start their own business.

HIV/AIDS seminar at Ulan

Youth Impact Program had a training for Ulan older youth. There were 15 boys and girls who really enjoyed the training and at the end we asked them what other topics they would be interested in. Most of them said, “dating relationships” and “preparation for college”. Next week we will talk to them about choosing the right relationships. We will also bring the books that will help kids leaving the orphanage this summer prepare for college exams.

Shipping Container

You may have heard about a new project Interlink is working on. We are filling and shipping a large freight container over to our center in Shymkent, Kazakhstan. One of Interlink’s partners on the property called Crossroads specializes in receiving these containers and distributing the items in them to those in need. Interlink is filling a container that will aid our current work in Kazakhstan, but we cannot take on this endeavor alone. We need your help.



This coming Saturday, May 2 we have a workday planned. It will be from 9:00 a.m. – noon. We will be packing the boxes to go into the container. We will be working at 4630 N. Broadway Ave, Muncie, IN in the bus barn. If you need more information about the workday, send an email to kidsconnection@interlinkresources.org or call our office at 765-213-3975.

The second way you can help is by donating items or money to go towards the container. We still have a wish list of items.

Container Wish List:

Large Playground Sets: swings/slides/forts/etc
Sports Equipment
New Shoes for Children: tennis shoes, dress shoes, sandals, slippers
New Shoes for Older Youth: tennis shoes, dress shoes
Craft Supplies
Basic English books: early reading and short chapter books, books about USA, fiction (all newer books)
Educational games/Indoor Toys
Game Room Supplies: ping-pong tables, foosball tables, board games
Camping Supplies: tents, sleeping bags, pillows, camping mats
New Computers or just a few years old (Pentium 4 or better)
Small/Large White Boards: some of the easel types
Exercise Equipment: weights, bicycles, treadmills, etc
Skills Training Supplies : video cameras for orphanage use, digital cameras, hand woodworking tools
New Children's and Youth Clothing: small and medium sizes primarily
Cerebral Palsy Supplies: playground sets for physically handicapped children, wheelchair padding, straps for wheelchairs (luggage straps work well also), large exercise balls, pool noodles, children’s walkers, nice crutches
Winter Jackets: dressy and play jackets for children and youth, primarily extra small, small and medium sizes
Backpacks: children and youth of all ages
Hair Cutting Kits
Posters: (for orphanages and youth to decorate rooms and use as teaching aids)
Toolkits: (for graduates moving out on their own)
Spiral Notebooks
Photo Albums
Paint Supplies
Purses: (or larger nice bags for older girls to carry books in)
Current Magazines : 2008 or newer
220V Tools: Drills, Sanders, Rotary Saws, etc
Multimedia items in English for the Shymkent library: videos, cassettes, CDs, DVDs (for all levels)
Folding Chairs – (for the classrooms in Shymkent
Square folding table and chairs
Coolers
Large Aluminum Extension Ladders
Lawn/Garden: garden tools, shovels
Snow Shovels

If you would prefer to contribute funds toward shipping costs (approximately $8,000 is needed), please email us for options to donate.

Here are some pictures from our first work day:

We would love to see you on Saturday if you can join us!!!

Kids Connection Letters

One of the great joys here is giving out letters written by Kids Connection sponsors. We had a shipment of letters arrive recently so we were able to deliver a lot of letters to Savva, Ulan and Saramoldaeva orphanages. These two pictures were taken at the Saramoldaeva orphanage. Most of the older boys had letters an opened them eagerly. One boy Tolik and one girl Sabina are new to Saramoldaeva so have yet to get a sponsor.

In the second picture, Katiya received with her letter some small gifts and this harmonica. Of course none of these children have ever seen a harmonica before so Kiikzhan instructed her how to play it. She did so and was a bit surprised as to how it makes your lips feel when the notes play. Fortunately it came with a pictorial instruction sheet that she can learn from.

For those of you who have children to write to over here know that letters and pictures are cherished. Some also come with small gifts, stickers and things that can fit in a small envelop. Some Americans send a computer generated letter with a number of photos of family members, animals or when they go on vacation. The children are fascinated by the lives of their American friends.

Thanks for taking time to brighten the lives of Kazakhstan’s orphan children.