Project for Special Needs Children at Umit

Interlink made an agreement with two physical therapists, one American and one British, who work with their CP program in Shymkent. These physical therapists will put on a four-day training program for the caregivers at Umit - and will provide exercise equipment designed specifically for this purpose. The new Umit physical therapist has already taken a trip to Shymkent to meet with them, the new equipment has been purchased and donated to the baby home, and the four-day training program for the caregivers has been tentatively scheduled for September.

We are so thrilled to have been able to support this for the kids we came to know and love while visiting Taraz. This kind of therapy can help a child reach their full potential - maybe being able to walk or achieve other key milestones.

I was just reading the updates on the message board for Taraz Adoptive families and one of the familes informed everyone of a special project they were doing to help the special needs children at Umit where our son is. Seeing as we have just recently been there and witnessed these children for ourselves I was very excited to here this news. Below is her post regarding the program and how people can help fund the project through a very minimal donation of $10.

"I posted some pictures of the equipment donation event here under "Balducci family." There was a news story in our local paper which covers the program toward the end. Link: The link appears to be going to the domain www.pnwlocal, but is really going to the domain pnwlocalnews.com.

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/lifestyle/41925627.html

Worth a read if only for the many, hilarious factual inaccuracies -- starting with the "fact" that Taraz is "a nearby town" to Almaty. (HA HA HA!!!! If ONLY.)

There is a small remaining gap to complete funding for the whole program (about $150 dollars as of the last report). Knowing how you all care about Taraz and the children there, I thought people here might want to contribute. We are specifically asking only for SMALL donations - $10 per person. If you would like to help, please make your donation directly to Interlink, this can be done via mail or website (see www.interlinkresources.org/donate/ for instructions). Please note on the donation that it is for the "Umit Disabled Program."