Gift Personal Mentors to 100 Orphans in Kazakhstan

Dear friends,

It is time for our next report, and I would like to begin with sincere words of gratitude for your trust and continued support. Because of you, teenagers from orphanages in five cities across Kazakhstan are finding their mentors - caring adults who become trusted friends and a source of stability in their lives. For more than five years, you have believed in our program, believed in us, and supported our work. This means more to us than words can express!

In 2026, we have ambitious goals ahead. There is still much work to be done - and most importantly, many children who are still waiting for their mentors. Unfortunately, in Uralsk we had to change our project team, and we are currently in the process of building a new one to continue the program in the region.

In Shymkent, 72 teenagers have been receiving additional math tutoring on weekends since September 2025. They are improving their knowledge, closing learning gaps, and some are already preparing for college admission. We sincerely wish them success. In our previous report, we shared the story of Syanam and Valya from Shymkent. Today, we would like to share Syanam’s words:
“If I had to describe our friendship in one word, it would be ‘trust.’ Everything we have is built on it—honesty, warmth, care, and the depth we have reached together.”

Syanam continues to support Valya, and their relationship has grown into something truly close and meaningful. She also shares:
“There were moments of doubt, burnout, and feeling like you’re not good enough for the child. In those moments, our psychologist Lyazat supported us very gently and carefully. Now Valya and I are deeply connected. There is trust between us, we feel comfortable together, and we truly enjoy spending time with each other. This friendship has become an important part of my life. My mentee is my little friend with a big heart.”

We would like to highlight the importance of psychological support for both mentors and children. Mentors receive professional guidance and are not left alone when challenges arise in their relationships. For children, this support is equally essential - it helps them safely process their emotions, learn to trust, better understand themselves, and build healthy relationships with adults.

Since the beginning of the year, our team in Karaganda has conducted training for those interested in becoming mentors. The candidates will now go through interviews and assessments, and soon some of them may join the program. We also held Mentor Club meetings on topics such as “What Support Looks Like” and “Financial Literacy.” During these sessions, mentors discussed real-life situations, shared experiences, and gained practical tools to build more thoughtful and effective communication with teenagers.

The Story of Alina and Dasha, Karaganda

Alina’s decision to become a mentor was thoughtful and intentional. She believes that no child deserves to grow up without support, and that an adult can become the person who helps a child navigate this path.

Before their first meeting, Alina felt both nervous and excited. Among all the children, she immediately noticed Dasha - her warm and open smile stood out. Their relationship developed gradually. In the beginning, meetings were not frequent, and trust had to be built step by step. Alina did not rush the process - they simply spent time together, talked, and learned to be present with each other.

There were difficult moments as well. Dasha would sometimes unexpectedly share painful experiences from her life, and Alina learned to respond by simply listening and offering support. The project team played an important role in helping her through this. Over time, a quiet but deep bond formed between them.

Some of the most touching moments were simple ones: watching Dasha connect with Alina’s mother, or writing down wishes together for the New Year - wishes Dasha truly believed could come true. Over time, Dasha has grown more confident and independent. She now navigates the city more easily, and caregivers also note her growth and entrust her with more responsibility.

Mentorship has also transformed Alina. She says her life has become brighter, and most importantly, Dasha has taught her how to be a true friend - to listen, understand, and accept. Today, their relationship is built on trust, ease, and sincerity.
“I consider her my friend,” Alina says.
And if she had to describe their bond in one sentence:
“Our meeting was not a coincidence.”

In Pavlodar, our team continued to actively develop the mentor community, focusing on supporting current mentors and preparing new ones. Regular Mentor Club meetings became a safe and open space for sharing experiences and discussing challenges. Mentors also had access to consultations with a psychologist, helping them cope with emotional demands.

We also held a meeting with orphanage staff to strengthen collaboration around the needs of the children. A particularly meaningful event was a workshop held together with the “28 Loops” club, where mentors and teenagers knitted warm items for premature babies. This was not only an act of kindness, but also an important experience that helped participants feel a sense of purpose and connection.

At the same time, we continued systematic work to recruit and prepare new mentors through interviews, psychological assessments, and motivation discussions. As a result, 4 new mentor-mentee pairs were formed. We also began developing new partnerships, including cooperation with the regional Children’s Rights Commissioner. In the next quarter, we will focus on supporting new pairs and further expanding the program.

We would also like to share a heartfelt story from Atyrau - the story of mentor Bakhytgul and her mentee Kostya.

Bakhytgul joined the program with a clear intention - to give warmth and care to a teenager growing up without parental support. They met in March 2024, and from the very first meetings, trust began to grow between them.

Over time, Bakhytgul became an important part of Kostya’s life. She visited him regularly, stayed in touch, and supported him in his activities. One of the most touching moments was when Kostya asked her, “You won’t leave me here, will you?” This question reflected his deep fears and past experiences. With time, consistency, and genuine care, that fear transformed into trust.

Their journey was not without challenges - differences in personality sometimes led to misunderstandings. But they learned to listen to each other and find common ground. Eventually, their relationship went beyond regular meetings - Kostya began spending weekends with Bakhytgul’s family and became part of everyday life.

Today, their bond is more than mentorship. Kostya has become a truly close person to Bakhytgul. Over two years, he has grown more confident, calm, and able to build relationships with others. These changes are also noticed by caregivers.

Stories like these are only possible because of you.
Thank you for being with us.