Over 1,000 children are helped through Interlink Resources’ work with 7 orphanages and boarding schools in the Zhambul region.
About 60% of the children who live in Kazakhstan orphanages have a mother or father that is living. Many have been removed from their homes through legal action or have been given up by parents who because of personal problems or financial reasons are unable to care for their children. Interlink cares for these children by building relationships and meeting physical needs.
Rakhym
Rakhym is a home located in Taraz in which four children that were left in orphanages now live with a woman they call Mom. She cares for them as if they were her own children.
Saramoldaeva Orphanage
Saramoldaeva Orphanage is an orphanage for school age Russian speaking children located in the city of Taraz. There are approximately 200 children at this orphanage. They live in what the orphanage calls “family groups”. The ages in the groups differs once they are in school and they try to keep siblings together whenever possible. Interlink Resources sponsors three family groups at this orphanage. Interlink has also put in a wood shop at the orphanage to encourage skill development and provide a way for the orphanage to make its own furniture. .
Savva Boarding School
Savva boarding school is located about 2 hours east of Taraz in the village of Merke. There are approximately 190 Russian speaking children at this boarding school. The children at Savva attend school on grounds. They live in family groups that are composed of boys and girls of all age ranges. They care for each other as a family does with only the smallest children (those that do not attend school) living outside of the family groups. A Delegation from the USA is brought to Taraz each summer to participate in Savva’s summer camp.
Taraz Boarding School
The Taraz boarding school is a school for children that have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Most of them go home on the weekends and for holidays. About 35 of the children don’t have parents, so they stay at the school during holidays or go to the local orphanages. Many of the problems for these children are the result of parental alcohol and drug abuse.
Ulan Orphanage
Founded in 1994, Ulan Orphanage provides for the needs of approximately 160 school aged Kazakh children in the city of Taraz. These Kazakh speaking children live in groups according to age so often siblings are not together. Children at Ulan have the opportunity to learn much about their Kazakh heritage through dance, song, and other activities. A Delegation from the USA is brought to Taraz each summer to participate in Ulan’s summer camp.
Umit Orphanage
Umit orphanage is often referred to as the baby house. The children here live in groups according to age. When most children turn four they are moved to one of the orphanages for school aged children. Some children with mental disabilities remain until they turn five.
Vanofka Orphanage
Vanofka orphanage is a small private orphanage in a village about 1 ½ hours west of Taraz. The children operate as one large family, calling the director Mom. They range from two to sixteen years of age. Currently they have 12 children.