8 June 2008 - WE08KAZ002 and WE07KAZ005 and Children's Celebrations in Astana, Kazakhstan

Those numbers may not mean anything to you, but they are what we deal with on a daily basis. Every project has it's unique set of numbers. Last week we attended those two project closings. The first one was for a printing shop for the handicapped. The Church purchased a copier, printer, and laminating and binding materials for this group. This shop will be completely run by the handicapped. It will give them some employment and make them more self-reliant. This young man is deaf and dumb and is in charge of the shop. Anne is standing in front of the copier machine that was purchased by the Church. They will also use the shop to print informational material to educate the handicapped on their rights and government assistance. These are our friends who attended the closing presentation: Ramazon, Kamka's husband; Rosa, a good friend who works with Kamka; Ramazon and Kamka's son, a handicapped young man who is in charge of the shop; and Kamka and Kulnazira, who requested the project.

Kamka's organization was given the basement of an apartment building on the other side of town by the government. They have dug it down deep enough to make rooms for the handicapped classes and training areas and exercise rooms with equipment and this is where the printing shop is now, too.

You can see their is a lot more work to be done to finish off the rest of the basement. It will be nice when they get it all done! Kamka has now been given space on the ground floor of a building near this one so that those with physical handicaps have easier access.While we were there, these young deaf students came with their teacher and were having a class in sign language. They were embarrassed that we took pictures of them but they were very nice and cordial to us. It was a very nice day that we spent with all of them.

We also went to a Handicapped Children's Hospital to take pictures and do a final report for one of last year's project. They were given rehabilitation equipment that helps children with large and small muscle skills.

They have been using this equipment for nearly a year now and have had great success. This is one of the items that the Church purchased for the hospital. This little girl has paralysis on the right side of her body. She is encouraged to only use her right hand so that it can become as strong as the left.

This boy is nearly 10 years old. A year ago he couldn't sit or stack these rings. But with the help of this chair, that was purchased by the Church, he is making great progress and is able to sit and stack the rings. He is an adorable child with an infectious smile.

This little girl couldn't walk even with the aid of the walker; but now she is walking across the room. The therapist was so grateful for our help with the equipment. She works tirelessly every day in helping these children. She also teaches the mothers so that they can do these same exercises at home. It was wonderful to meet with her and feel her expressions of gratitude toward the Church for the equipment!

Last weekend was Children's Protection Day and we attended several celebrations with handicapped groups. They even asked Roy to say a few words at a couple of the events.

Here he is saying a few words and Mira is translating for him. Ludmilla, on the left, has a day care center for handicapped children and she is the one that invited us.

This little girl is playing the Kobyz. It looks somewhat like a violin but is played like a cello.

This child is playing the Dombra, which is the Kazakh national instrument. Both girls did a great job!

This wonderful lady works with Kamka. She is physically handicapped but does pretty well getting around. She has been so kind to us that we wanted our picture taken with her.

And of course, after every celebration they feed everyone! They are just like Mormons, they eat at every event!! We had a wonderful time at each one!

Saturday night we were invited to a concert which had some wonderful talent!! We were so impressed with all of the singers and dancers and most of them were young people!

This is a singing group of 3 and 4 year old children and they were absolutely adorable!! And could they ever sing!!

This little girl made her singing debut at the concert. She is 2 1/2 years old and sang so well. This man was a professional and he was the star of the show and sang with her. She was the hit of the concert!

We had a busy week, but we like it that way. We are still doing well and trying to help everyone that we can and still stay within our budget from Moscow!!

The gospel is true and we are so grateful to be part of the missionary effort here in Kazakhstan by doing humanitarian work!! We pray every day that we will be able to get the missionaries into this city soon! We love you all for your support and prayers in our behalf.

Love,

Elder and Sister Welling