Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager
We work with a local Taekwondoo coach to provide lessons for ten children at Saramoldaeva Orphanage. They go to lessons twice a week, where they learn discipline, excellence, and commitment as they learn the fundamentals of Taekwondoo. In the fall, one of the boys won a gold medal in a competition for which we helped pay for expenses. He came by the office with his coach to show us his medal and certificate.
Posted by Ember Mumaw, Intern
This past Sunday we celebrated birthdays with 3 children and their friends of choice from Saramoldaeva Orphanage. The day began normally with a movie (Narnia), pizza, and cake. Ken went ahead and set up the ping pong table and we did a few round robins before Sara began a game of Spiderman Operation. Artur, usually the last at everything, being the smallest, aced Operation and won everyone’s admiration. Then ping pong merged with keep away in the family room to become a huge game of Monkey-in-the-Middle. It was hilarious as kids and adults alike tackled and teased the “monkey” with a left over ping pong ball. For half an hour it was as if we were all family having a Sunday afternoon together with lots of laughter, teasing, and love. Ping pong will never be the same! 
Posted by Ellen Andrusia
Leaving this country is very hard especially because my heart is not going home with me. The children have unknowingly stolen it. One day I hope to express to them how much they have given me. I came to give and even though I gave what i had, I received far more. Thank you Kazakhstan for teaching me the true meaning of giving. 
Posted by Janet Varvel
The table was set for royalty. Platers laden with foods, pasta filled with meat, fish, breads, nuts, fruits, chocolates, etc, etc. Were we with the high officials? No, we were eating at the Saramoldaeva Orphanage, hosted by the director, Gulparshin. She is an extraordinary woman. Her orphanage is rated number one in the region because of her dedication and love for the nearly 200 children who call this place home. We walked through room after room of lovely decorated rooms. The walls were covered with artwork that would rival the finest museums. But once again it was the handful of children we encountered that made our hearts so full. The little ones who played in the park with us earlier in the week were exuberant - full of joy - at the sight of their new friends. Once again we lost Ellen, who was on the floor with Vlada, sill in her pretty pink. Marion found her "lost boy" - her first sponsored child. To see them together was a special privilege. He was stoic - but visibly moved. Our own Dasha - so excited to meet me for the first time brought unexpected emotion to me. These kids are now a part of us - forever in our mind. To what end? We may never know, but we are all forever changed by the shadows of their smiles. 
Posted by Janet Varvel, Delegate
The weather was beautiful. Many of the trees in the park were allowed to grow tall and leaf out in long branches. It was set up like a carnival with rides and food vendors. The wide walk ways were clean and swept, and the park was full of little people, tugging on the hands of their caregivers.
We were in groups of about eight, half adults. Our children were kindergarten types, all clean and well dressed, from Saramoldaeva Orphanage. Smiles were everywhere. This was a happy day. As we went from ride to ride, the little ones began to smile at the new adult in their care.
Mine was Korman. Korman was happy and full of energy. We sat in the bumper cars together and I opened his ice cream. Korman was not happy at the helicopter ride, however. He got "stuck" without the steering wheel. He was just an angry passenger. I kept waving at each turn, me on the ground, he high up with quite a pout. Then it happened. I called "Korman" and at last he got a big grin on his face and waved. From then on that was the game - I would shout his name and he would wave and smile. Karina never stopped smiling - except when the bubble bottle was taken from her. Little blond with rosy cheeks.
They all tugged at our hearts and the time to part was wrenching. My favorite picture was big, tall Keith leaving the park holding the hand of one so small. That's the way we are with Dad sometimes, just one happy day in the park together, then he takes our hand and walks us home.
Posted by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager
The delegation got a chance to rest some yesterday. In the morning, we took them to the bazaar. It was a fun cultural experience for everyone. Many were able to find souvenirs to take home, but I think they enjoyed watching the people even more. This was one of the first chances they had to just observe the everyday life of people in Kazakhstan.
Then, the American team and the delegation went for a picnic in the mountains. We had an enjoyable time relaxing and sharing stories from their time so far. Keith and Chic were really ambitious as they climbed one of the higher peaks. The timing of the trip was perfect since grass, flowers, and leaves are just beginning to appear.
Today, the delegation went bowling with children from two groups at Saramoldaeva Orphanage (about 20 children) that we sponsor. There was a bit of a mix-up with the reservation at the bowling alley, so we had the opportunity to play a few games outside before we started our bowling. It actually worked out really nicely because it allowed everyone to get to know each other before being split up on teams for bowling. Our bowling alley in Taraz only has four lanes, so we had to wait for all four lanes to free up.
Tomorrow morning we will be taking the youngest children at Saramoldaeva Orphanage to the park to ride rides. We will also be touring Ulan Orphanage and Interlingua English School in the afternoon.
Posted by Ember Mumaw, Intern
At Saramoldeava orphanage, Interlink sponsors three groups. The smallest children, a group of girls (mixed ages) and a group of boys. Each Tuesday we spend the day there, playing with the children and checking in on their needs. However, we are there not just for those children, but the orphanage as a whole and Interlink has had the privilege of assisting and partnering with Saramoldeava in remodeling and training projects. One of their most recent projects was a book detailing the history of Saramoldeava, the first book of it’s kind in Kazakhstan. Reporters interviewed children to capture their personal stories and the success of graduating children was celebrated. Interlink was happy to support the printing of the book and had the opportunity this week to attend the dedication ceremony celebrating its printing. Here are some quotes from the book…
“Interlink Resources, Inc. and Saramoldeava orphanage are connected with a friendship that has lasted many years”
“Everyone knows that it’s hard to be without hot water in the spring and fall, so to help with this situation, the employees of Interlink bought a boiler and washing machine. The children were ready to go to school thanks to the help of Interlink Resources, Inc.”
“Interlink Resources, Inc supports talented and gifted (imaginative) children. They have helped them go to festivals, competitions, and contests.”
“We express our gratitude to all employees for the printing of this book. We are thankful for Interlink Resources, Inc.”
Posted by Ember Mumaw, Intern
There are 10 girls in the older girls group at Saramoldeava orphanage. Usually for women’s day they go to a movie or bowl and then have dinner. This year Sara came up with the great idea to take the girls on a limo ride! Limos are popular here for weddings when the entire party of young people will drive crazily about town, blowing their horns, stopping to take pictures, and making quite a ruckus. In requesting permission the caretakers and directors were supportive some saying that even they had not been in a limo before. Here are some pictures from the girls time, evidence of the fantastic day they had and just how special we were able to help them feel!
Posted by Ember Mumaw, Intern
This past weekend saw the Kids Connection team celebrating birthdays with four boys from Saramoldeava. The two birthday kids and friends of their choosing are treated to pizza, a movie, chocolate cake, and some games. Each month we do this. It’s a little different with its own flavor depending on which children come. Highlights included a huge tickle fest with the two younger boys, Ember and Sara. The team tag method worked best and we called it a tie in the end! As for treats, we try to give the children meals they don’t often have, such as American style pizza and chocolate cake. This week Ken also pulled out some Twizzlers which the kids seemed to like, but our teammate Olya turned her nose up at. For one young man, Roman, the highlight of his time was perhaps besting Keekzhan at not just one, but three rounds of chess.
At the end of our time Olya, the Youth Impact Manager, and then Kiikzhan had conversations with both Roman and Vitalik who are graduating from the orphanage this May. Interlink can’t move mountains or make the impossible, possible, but we do try to help the children achieve their dreams. This can take a lot of time and conversations since in Kazakhstan orphanage children are not encouraged to have high dreams or hopes. Interlink hopes to work to overcome this lack of hope in the children by helping to find and open doors of possibility for them and to continually remind them of their unique worth, to foster their talents and gifting, and to guide them to make wise decisions.
The other day as we were at Saramoldaeva picking up children for our monthly birthday party. We came upon a girl that was supposed to attend. She informed us that she would not be coming. When asked why, she responded that her mother was coming to the orphanage to visit for the first time in nine years. She told us that her mother had recently been released from jail and was going to come to see her. We congratulated her and told her we would bring her some cake and pizza from the party. She had such a look of hope and anticipation in her eyes as we left her there waiting for her mother to arrive. After the party, as we followed through on our promise to her, there was no need to ask if her mother had come. Her eyes told the story of yet another disappointment, although she tried to smile in the midst of it all. It is amazing to watch the hope that still lives in these children's eyes despite the many disappointments during their short lives.
On Saturday we celebrated birthdays with two children from Saramoldaeva. Each month, we take the kids from Saramoldaeva that have a birthday to Ken's house for a party. We watch a movie, eat pizza, have cake and ice cream, give gifts, and play games. We have an opportunity during this time to get to know the children on a more individual level. It also gives the children a chance to get away from the orphanage setting for a few hours, be in a home, and celebrate their birthday like a child that has a family. Each child gets to invite a friend to the party. We hope you enjoy the pictures and that they are able to convey the wonderful time that we had! 
