Gift Personal Mentors to 100 Orphans in Kazakhstan

Dear friends,

2022 year has ended, and we are ready to share the results with you for the whole year. The year was difficult for the children from the orphanage due to restrictions, due to the coronavirus, but despite this, we were able to achieve some definite results.

During the year, we received 1525 questionnaires throughout Kazakhstan. More than 400 candidates had been trained in mentoring and 66 children across Kazakhstan found their mentors. This year we launched the project "Educational courses for children in orphanages" in six cities and now more than 70 children are studying various subjects with the tutors. Children improve their knowledge in school subjects – some of them are preparing for the UNT and entrance exams.

In Shymkent, the children from an orphanage had to move to another building because their building was temporarily closed for renovations. They did not want to move and leave their home, which they were accustomed to so much. They were scared and worried about the move, but thanks to the support of their mentors, the children quickly adapted to the new orphanage. Now for more than 6 months the children have been living in another orphanage, and our mentors continue to visit and support them. They go to various master classes to gain new skills, knowledge and spend time at mentors’ homes surrounded by family.

In Karaganda, we held a presentation of our book "Mentors" for all guests. We had a holiday "Mentor's Day" for our mentors and children as well. We invited all mentors with children from the orphanage, representatives of orphanages, too. All our guests played various team games, had fun, communicated and received many positive emotions. In addition, the guests were presented small gifts and had a great time.

Also in Karaganda, we organized a creative event for mentors and children, to which we invited city activists and made bright souvenir items together.

Mentors Daren and Aliya have been in the project for 2 years. They have a warm and trusting relationship with Maxim from the orphanage. The mentors invited Maxim to visit them, but first they arranged a joint trip to the store so that the boy could visually see how food is bought and selected. Afterwards, they began to cook “manti”, Maxim also helped to sculpt them. The evening ended with a game of consol. Dauren and Aliya are very happy that they can interact with Maxim and have fun.

In Pavlodar this year, 10 children found their mentors and now the number of "Mentor-Child" pairs is 22. All mentors take an active part in children’s life: they help with lessons, instill children in sports, and motivate them to learn something new. Oksana's mentor has a very concise relationship with the girl Regina. Oksana makes great efforts for the development of Regina. As to Regina - she noticed how she began to change thanks to the mentor: she gained self-confidence, began to respond more gently to various situations; feels security in the face of a mentor who always supports guides. Recently, Regina had various unpleasant situations in her life. Due to this occasion, Oksana, as a mentor, showed herself responsible and strong, protecting and teaching Regina new tactics of behavior.

In Pavlodar, together with the city administration, we held a big flash mob with mentors and children. Thanks to this, flash mob, our new ‘mentor-child couples’ were able to get closer, and the citizens found out enough information about the Mentors program.

In spring, a girl Arina from Pavlodar was preparing for the UNT and studying history with our tutor. In summer, she successfully passed the exam and was able to win a grant to the University! We are very pleased with her admission, because it is very difficult for a child from an orphanage to enter the University. Starting from September 4 more pupils from the orphanage began to study with tutors. They study geometry, algebra, chemistry, mathematics, physics and English language.

In Uralsk, mentors and children went to a haircut master class. The barbers told the children about their profession and gave them trendy haircuts. After that, our mentors and children walked together and had a delicious lunch. A couple Ekaterina and Denis from the orphanage have been together for almost a year. They have already passed the stage of acquaintance and adaptation and are now actively communicating. They have common interests. They like to spend time together at the mentor's cottage and like to go fishing together. Denis tries to do everything that the mentor says, and Ekaterina worries about the learning process and tries to help with his studies.

Our team in Uralsk regularly conducts seminars for our mentors, and psychologists provide support to them.

In Atyrau, this year we have 4 new ‘Mentor-Child pairs’, and the total number of pairs is 16 pairs. In addition, this year, eight pupils began to study with tutors. Children are preparing for university entrance exams and studying the following subjects: History of Kazakhstan, written and mathematical literacy and other specialized subjects. Our couple Akerke and Kazybek love to play various board and intellectual games. They are also learning English. The mentor tries to instill the desire in knowledge and traveling, because her own children are studying abroad. The mentor notices that Kazybek has a desire and interest in languages, and she plans to enroll him in additional language courses from the New Year.