Aktobe is a city outside the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty

The Aktobe Orphanages Programme consists of two projects, the Tumdi Orhanage Project and the Yesun Orphanage/College Project.

Friendship Club

We have Friendship Clubs.  In October, November and December we brought 20 children in from Tumdi and sent them on a budgeting excursion around the bazaar, taking them to the local museum and planetarium and also to see a movie. These friendship clubs are often at the mercy of the weather and orphanage schedules.  In November and December we brought 12 children in from Yesun and sent them on the budgeting excursion and took them to a movie.

This activity gives the kids a new experience of the city each month, as well as a satisfying hot meal (for many, the highlight of the day), and friendships with our local volunteers.

The director of the Aktobe Orphanage thanked R4TW, saying:

"It was with great anticipation that we waited for the much-needed funds raised by the 2007 R4TW, as we still did not have enough money for our Friendship Clubs for the year. Most children raised in orphanages in Kazakhstan are deeply institutionalised and are incapable of functioning outside the walls of their home. They have never caught a bus or used a telephone or an ATM. They have never used a computer or done any of the fun things many teens take for granted, like going to a movie or spending an afternoon ice-skating."