The People Behind Interlink - Olya Cherevko

Posted by Olya Cherevko, Youth Impact Manager.

I work at Interlink as the Youth Impact Manager. However, I stared with Interlink as a receptionist in 2002 after finishing college with an undergraduate degree in English/Russian Translation. I always wanted to be a translator and from time to time I was asked to translate for orphanage delegations.

Soon I realized that translating at an orphanage is not like translating anywhere else. Seeing the children’s hopeless but smiling faces made me realize how deprived these children are of love, parents, and family. And I had all of that but these children didn't and that made me appreciate what I had even more. I enjoyed spending time with children and it was the older kids that I had a stronger connection with. I was especially touched by a story of one of the girls from Ulan orphanage who told me that she had no idea what would happen to her after she left the orphanage. I wanted to help her but did not know how and this is what was in my heart even after the delegation left. I could not help but think about the graduates.

I knew that I needed professional training to be able to help these graduates. In Kazakhstan there was no program that could give me that training. I found out about social work programs in the United States and knew it would be ideal training for my work with youth. I applied in 2004 and received a full scholarship to study at Columbia University in New York City and obtained a Master’s degree in Social Work specializing in youth.

After two years, I returned back to Taraz and re-joined Interlink and started the Youth Impact program. This program teaches youth that have graduated from orphanages basic life and employment skills. It is such a joy to work with youth and invest in their lives and see them learning and maturing with each day.

The People Behind Interlink - Kiikzhan Moldakhanov

Posted by Kiikzhan Moldakhanov, Kids Connection Coordinator

I am the Kids Connection Coordinator. I like my vocation. It's interesting spending time and being with the children, especially celebrating their birthdays and other big parties. They are always waiting for us.

I met my first delegation from the USA. They are so wonderful and cheerful. They liked all the children too. For the first time in my life, I took part in a photo scavenger hunt. It was cool.

I love children and love helping those in need.

Paid Positions In Taraz

Dzhambul (the region Taraz is located in) is looking for native English speakers to teach English in schools in Taraz. They have money from the government to pay the following:

1. $ 200 for visa
2. $ 1400 for the plane ticket
3. $ 750 for shipping of baggage
4. $ 1000 for medical insurance
5. $ 2200 monthly salary
6. $ 700 for living per month

The job is from Sept. to June, starting in the fall. Contact Sara Coggins for more information.

Power Point Seminar

Published by Sara Coggins, Kids Connection Manager

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I had the opportunity to teach a seminar on using Power Point in the classroom to English teachers here in Taraz. There were 29 teachers in attendance. The seminar was organized by TATE (Taraz Association of Teachers of English). Half of the teachers in attendance had never used Power Point before. Teachers in Kazakhstan are being encouraged to use technology as much as possible in their classrooms. Many of them have access to rooms where a projector is set up for presentations. Although they have access to these facilities, many of the teachers have not been trained on how to actually create presentations.

On Wednesday, I showed them the basics of using Power Point. On Thursday they worked in groups to create a presentation that they could use in their own classes to teach a lesson. On Friday, they presented their presentation to the entire group. I was really impressed by their creativity and use of Power Point. By using each other and asking me questions, they figured out how to do much more than I taught about the basics on Wednesday. It was fun to see their enthusiasm.

On the second day of the seminar, I heard that some of the teachers even went home and practiced what they learned on the first night. The next day in class, they showed their students what they had learned before coming to the second day of the seminar. It was fun to hear that they were already applying what they were learning in the seminar. It was fun to see a group of teachers that really enjoyed being around each other and had a distinct love for learning and sharing what they learn with their students.

The People Behind Interlink - Beth Bilby

Posted by Beth Bilby, Vice President


I have been involved with Interlink since the beginning of the organization and have traveled to Kazakhstan many times since 1994. One of my greatest joys is to be a wife to my husband Terry and a mother and grandmother to our children and grandchildren.

My primary responsibilities with Interlink include serving on the Board of Directors, coaching our in-country employees, scheduling, planning and sending delegations and work groups to Kazakhstan, and overseeing the intern program.

Working with children has always been one of my passions. I worked with children in the U. S. for many years teaching life skills, values, and morals. Interlink’s work with orphans is particularly meaningful to me. Seeing the difference in the lives of the children through the efforts of Interlink is significant.

We have had the opportunity through the years to share our hearts and resources with the Kazakh people. In return, we have found the Kazakhs to not only be our friends but our family.

I am passionate about coming along side people as they embrace their own purpose and become all they were created to be.

The People Behind Interlink - Barb

Posted by Barb Bullard, Administrative Assistant

I was a teenager and young adult during the Vietnam War. As others spoke of opposition to the war, I very publicly spoke of the need to support our troops and the Vietnamese people. I considered career paths that involved service to others but like many, life just evolved because I had a family and needed a job to help provide housing, food, etc. I was offered employment at a “good” job and worked there for many years. I am grateful for the friends I made, the skills and training I received and the provision for my family that this job allowed. It was in fact a good job.

After retirement, I spent the summer doing all of the things I had dreamed of doing…sleeping, reading, working in the yard, cooking fabulous meals (this is somewhat questionable) and swinging on the porch. This was fun for a few days and then I wanted to do something that was meaningful, had purpose and allowed me to think rather than vegetate. I called the Interlink director and we talked about volunteer opportunities. I started volunteering the next week in the Muncie, IN office.

Now, almost 2 years later, I am again very grateful for the friends I have made and the opportunity to make even a small difference. Learning about Kazakhstan, the people there and getting to know our in country team has been one of the best opportunities I have experienced and I am humbled by the sacrifices the staff and team at Interlink make to serve others.

The Cost of Mail

Posted by Ember Mumaw, Intern

Imagine 10 kids in a room all excited to see you and wanting to know one thing: Did their sponsor write them a letter? What if you only had two letters to give? What if you had none? How would you explain it to them and what would you say to their disappointment?

Letters mean a lot to any child, whether in the US or here in KZ. It’s a special occasion and a little thing to help them realize “I’m special.” The Kids Connection team tries to communicate this message in so many ways to help overcome rejection from family and society. One of the ways that YOU can be a part of this is to write a letter, whether you financially sponsor a child or not. Tell them about you and your family, where you live and what you do. Encourage them to work hard, study hard, and live well with others. It can be one paragraph or one page. I would encourage you, even now, to write a short email with or without a specific child’s name and send it to kidsconnection@interlinkresources.org so it can be translated and given to a child for our next visit.