Portraits by Emma, Doing what she loves for those that she loves.

From the time Emma was a little girl, if you asked her what she wanted to do or be when she grew up, she would say that she wanted to live in the mountains and paint.  For some reason, we could see dream coming true.   At the same time , what we saw in here was a strong social conscience.   In fact anyone that new Emma knew that she had a very strong will, and when she saw what she anything perceived as being unfair or unjust , there was simply no dealing with her until we had done everything we could to make the situation right .  

Here we are twenty odd years later, and I am amazed how little she has changed in her vision and in her sense of justice  

Living in Kyrgyzstan,  her convictions are tested, but she continues to do what she knows is right, reaching out to those less fortunate, or those who simply need a voice. 

focusing on the seniors and the orphans,  Emma not only shows, but teaches LOVE and COMPASSION 

I was not surprised when yesterday Emma messaged me and said  "Dad I think I need to start painting again.  The needs are just so big here, and I don't mind painting.   I can make good money at it and it might help take some of the pressure off. " 

Emma has an incredible talent, and does love to paint , but we have always been careful not to push her to paint, but she is right, it sure could help her meat some of the incredibly overwhelming nds that she sees every day .. Her are some of he paintings to give you an idea of he abilities.    

In the past what we have done is people will commission the work.  They send us a photo of what they would like painted, and Emma will paint from that.  Once complete, We will send the painting to you.  Once you receive the  painting, you can send payment if you are satisfied,  Our suggested price for a custom portrait is $300 for the first face, ad $50 for additional faces.    We are not allowed offer a tax receipt for this bass amount, so we have a separate pay pal link below.  Any amount above and beyond the suggested price that you would like to go toward her work is fully receiptable   using a donation button on the side of the blog.   

If you are interested in commissioning a painting from Emma , please email me at sunmasterjohn@aol.com . We know of people traveling back from Kyrgyzstan in the next few weeks, so Emma could likely get the first couple back state side by Christmas.    

Non receiptable payments , 
please click on this link .

Happy Thanksgiving

Julie and I are back in Canada now .. lots of sitting and thinking, apart from the RUN through the Moscow airport to catch a 6 minute connection to Paris.  I had time to think about all that took place over the last four months and all that we have to be thankful for.  In Canada our Thanksgiving was last month, but I am going to join all our US friends to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving .. After all so many of you have given us reason to be Thankful.

This summer and extending into the Fall in Kyrgyzstan, we celebrated the wedding of Emma and Jengish.  Over the last few months, we have helped a couple orphanages with back to school shopping, 47 scholarships, and daily homework club with teacher for one of the orphanages to help keep the kids on track.   Dental and Medical treatments, New winter boots for orphanages, winter shoes for the men's home.  We have just about completed the construction of a new Childrens clinic and the renovation of a hospital to be used as dorms for families who lost everything in a fire.  We have seen The floor at the mens home completed.  We have provided Vitamins to carry many into the winter and keep them healthy.    We have seen to  the delivery of new blankets to the seniors home thanks to funds raised by Blair and his friends, and have been able to give out all kinds of new coats to those in need thanks to the birthday wishes of Kristy and her friends.   There have been food drops to the orphanages, and repairs and painting to the baby orphanage playground.  We have delivered 46 tons of coal to keep hundreds warm this winter, and only 8 more tons to go.  We have purchased a garage with a root cellar and have it stocked full of food to provide food hampers to those in need, including the commitment to help with food for the new women's shelter, for the homeless shelter, and the guys living "on the farm".    Speaking of "on the farm" We have seen the start up of the farm to provide jobs and work experience as well as a home to those timed out of the orphanage , and those integrating back into society for whatever reason, as well as providing fresh produce for years to come for many of those we work with.  We have been able to provide a micro loan for a barn in the mountain and the purchase cows to go into it.  All this on top of the regular visits and outings with many of the childrens from several of the orphanages.

Now we are looking ahead to what the next couple months will bring, Julie and I have a few speaking engagements in the next few weeks , and are open to more if anyone would like us to visit.  We have the Christmas pie challenge under way , hoping to raise the funds to provide Christmas to over 2000 orphans. ( please consider making a donation now )   As well we will be helping to prepare teams for spring trips, and set things in motion for a massive fundraiser to support women's issues in Kyrgyzstan, that will see julie and a couple others walk over 800 km on the Camino de Santiago.  

I would sure say we have a LOT to be thankful for this year.  So once again let me express a sincere thank you   to all of you, and we pray that God would bless you for all that you do.      

 

Hospital clinic update

On our final visit to the clinic before heading back to Canada, we made a short video to show how well they are doing ,  We missed the completion of the waiting room by about about 3 days, and the completion of the exam room by about $1000.   All in all, I am so excited with this project.. Thank you so much to those who donated and those who have worked so hard on this .

12

12

Twelve is the number of contestants in the pie challenge this year who have lived in the orphanages. 

The pie challenge has touched so many people in so many ways .   There is the joy that comes from being able to give .. there is the special feeling for a child when they are even recognized over the Holidays , they remember this all year.  There  is the fun and excitement when one of our contestants gets their pie in the face .. many done in public bringing joy to so many .. The pie in the face has become an annual event at many Christmas parties  

For me, what may have turned into be the greatest thing about the pie challenge is that for many who have come from the orphanage , and experienced the benefits of this kind of event,  It gives them an opportunity to be a part of blessing those who are left behind.   

I opened up a video this morning from a young friend of ours who was adopted from one of the orphanages here.   I began watching, and when he pulls out a photo of his Christmas party a few years ago, I just lost it.   I have been sitting here trying not to cry all morning, and not doing a very good job at it .  

 ..   

When I went to my email I found a special letter .. 

Hello. 

 I assume you are John Wright.  A family visited me today when Santa and I were in Pennsylvania, and they had three children from your orphanage.  They were about 6, 7, and 8 years old, I think.  The children’s names were _   (oldest), ____, and _____(youngest). ___ said that she didn’t want Christmas gifts from Santa, that she would like Santa to take gifts to the children in your orphanage.

Please tell me how Santa and I can get gifts to the children in your orphanage.  I looked at your BlogSpot and would very much like to send some love and gifts to your precious children.

Thank you for all that you do.

Christmas Love,

Mrs. Claus

Once again, I know these children well. and I know their heart to want to help those that are still in the orphanages, In fact this little girl has started a group that asks people to give financially for Birthday gifts to make children in the orphanage smile .. you can find her link on the right hand side of the blog ...its marked 

ALIYA"S ANGELS

As we have traveled around the US and visited many of the children we have known from the orphanage, many of them still remember us coming to celebrate with them.  One young friend climbed up on my lap at a summer bonfire and said "Tell me some stories of when we were in the orphanage together" then for the next 20 minuted we talked about the Christmas party we had the year before  , and talked about all the costumes and who was dressed as what ..   How great is that .. we can sit and discuss happy memories .

But its not just around the US , several of the Children that we know from the orphanages who are no longer living in the orphanages, and living here in Kyrgyzstan have contacted us .. They also remember the parties as some of their greatest memories, and they too want to do anything that they can to help the tradition continue .. Little Victor whom many of you will know writes "For the expense of the party I do not mind. Let me throw a pie in my face if you collect $ 500  " I am pretty sure he wants to challenge you to give as he is doing, the only way he knows how ... 

WE all have so much to be thankful for . we are blessed beyond belief , lets take a moment right now and make a donation to bring Joy and Good memories to so many with out this Christmas .. 

  

Winding up or winding down , at this point we are not sure which !

Today we spent the morning with a few of the very hard working members of the local Government.  

Our focus today was to tour the new shelters that they have set up, and to see how we will be able to help .   We are so impressed with the work that they have done.  They have two shelters set up for this winter .  One is a homeless shelter in the industrial district.  It currently has beds for about a dozen with more on the way .  Along with a warm bed, the shelter has washing facilities and showers, and a small kitchen. The Mayors office has done so much here, it is great to see the care that they are showing for the least of these.  

The women's shelter is located beside  one of the local police stations. It has beds for about a dozen as well.  Here women can bring their small children with them as well.  It too has showers, washing facilities, nice bathrooms and warm beds . 

Both centers are staffed with kind caring workers who will work to help the people living there resolve problems that may be holding them down.   We are so impressed that the city is making the efforts to are for those in need.  

We have seen that one big need that they do have is food for those that are at the shelter.  We feel that there are a couple ways that we can  begin to help.  The first is that our homeless feeding program that Jengish administers will begin bringing a hot meal to the centre once a week through the winter, the girls will help him with this.  The second is that we will be able to bring food from time to time to help out.  The last team that was here blessed us with a garage full of supplies to be able to help those in need, so we were able to act right away, and today we delivered supplies to both centers;  Potatoes, carrots, radishes, onions, cabbages, sugar, rice and pasta.   We would like to find the funds to do this all winter long. As well we noticed that they could use some more mattresses and towels .  something we will work on as funds become available .

Kitchen at the women's shelter

Meeting with our representative of the mayors office, the director of social services here, as well as the supervisor of the women's shelter.

This  little boy lives at the shelter with his mother, and we heard that today was his birthday .. the timing was great, we had just been given money to pack a gift bag for a child.  He was so happy with everything as he unpacked the items one by one and inspected everything . I asked his name, but he sad that he was kind of busy right now and he would answer any questions I might have when he was done hahaha 

Loading up with supplies from the garage 

 We were telling our friend  that works at the mayors Office about the pie challenge, and what do you know .  He has agreed to take a pie in the face if $500 is raised to bless the children in need  that are connected with the mayors office.  This is so cool, Many of these kids Larisa has gathered together previous years, but this year  Marat is stepping forward to take one for the kids .  

Thank you Marat for being such a good sport .   

After a quick lunch we headed out to the farm to say good buy to all our friends there.  Fine feathered and otherwise 

We have had the second batch of babies from the giant rabbits over the weekend.  

The guys were all home working on the house today .   Sasha, Jannybek and Acylbek.  We said good buy for now, and will see them in March , but know that they are in good hands with Emma and Jengish 

Star Buck came out for one last visit before we left.  

     
Almost as if he knew we were going , he snuggled right in and did not want to go back in his cage.  

Last night we delivered the last 200 pairs winter boots to Larisa for the men's home, and tomorrow the funds arrive to pick up the 120 pairs of boots for the orphanage and 8 more tons of coal for those in need .

Every Day this week we have been winding down and out.  packing our bags, and in our minds packing away our many different projects.  Making sure not to forget anything. 

Tomorrow is our last day here, then we head back to Canada.    We are blessed to have so many that we work with here that we know are so capable of looking after everything in our absence 

Here is a short video of  our last day with the families from the fire. Like so many , they will be on our hearts when we go, but we can go with a solace knowing that they are in for the winter. 





Tomorrow will be a very busy day for us, but there is something that you can do to help.  I will not have the time and internet access for the next couple days to hound everyone about the pie challenge, so I need all of you to spread that word , and donate ... maybe if you are not sure were to start you can start with Marat ! 

Christmas Pie Challenge.... November 23 till 30th

_What it's all about _

I am told that Kyrgyzstan is the 7th poorest country in the world.      The Government does not have the resources to care for the needs of the kids, and must rely on the work of  NGO's to bridge the gap .  There are an estimated 6000 children in orphanages, and many more waiting . 

In 2008, an adoptive mother from Kyrgyzstan , Cindy Lajoy, recognized the overwhelming number of children that we support, and wanted to do something .. so she put out a challenge .. If her friends could raise $1000 by Thanks Giving , she would let her kids through a pie in her face. That challenge has grown  each year to where it is today .  

This year our target is 2000 orphans,

To meet this goal, we are seeking out corporate donors for the vitamins  (if you have any contacts, we would appreciate the help)  but are ready to purchase some as well.. The $10 will also cover the transportation of the vitamins and the safe and secure storage and  distribution over the next year .

So here is the breakdown 

40 challengers at $500 each  will provide for a total of 2000 orphans and children from very poor families. 

You can donate using the Paypal button to the right, or if you are donating from Canada, use the Canada Helps   button .. BE SURE TO INDICATE WHO you are sponsoring to receive a pie in the memo box that will appear while on the donation screen  .. Every night, the totals next to the participants will also be updated.  When they reach $500 they will be notified, and they will let someone throw a pie in their face and it will be posted for all to see. 

The parties will begin in Kyrgyzstan from the week of Dec 25 ( Christmas day ), the Wrights  girls  Emma and Bekah ,  are in Kyrgyzstan and making plans now.

 As the parties take place, we will post the events right here on actofkindness  

Thank you all so much for being a part of this life changing event.  

I am reminded by what a friend told me once .. "start by doing what you can do and before you know it you will be doing what others said could not be done."  

Whats important is that he is HOME !

I would like to tell you a story..   "This is happening now" seems to be a phrase that we see a lot these days on Facebook . Well we have a real life, real time "happening now" event, but first I would like to take you back 6 1/2 years to a time that seemed more innocent, or at lest we just did not have the same grasp of the language .  This is the story of Jannybek 

We had a sponsor that donated funds so that we could bring new shoes and soccer outfits to all the kids at the orphanage.   This day we set the kids up in stations and had crafts, games, snacks, and one station they were able to choose new shoes .. the room was set up just like the bazaar .  It was an incredible day, one that we were sure that they would never forget.  One of those children was Jannybek. .. Jannybek lived at the orphanage for another couple years, then finished school and left the orphanage.  He was able to find a place to live, looking after an old lady.. he cared for all her needs for four years , in exchange he would have a place to live. Last week life as he knew it took a terrible turn. The son of the Babushka came to the house and said that Jannybek needed to get in the car and they were going for a ride .  That night he found himself living in a chicken coop on a chicken farm in Kazakhstan where he had been sold into slavery.  He questioned how he could give such love and care  for all these years then this happen  .   He was held at the farm  for only four days before he managed to escape.  it took a couple days for him to make his way back to the boarder crossing where he hid inside the back of a transport truck and was able to sneak back into Kyrgyzstan .  Once he got here he went strait back to the first person he knew he could trust ,  That was the director of the orphanage he came from.  This morning he completed his journey and returned to the orphanage looking for help.  He is 22 years old now, so he could not stay there, but the director contacted us .  They were wondering about the possibility of him coming to live at the farm .  When they mentioned this to Janybek he was very relieved.  He said that he remembered us well.  

We have no idea at this point if it will be a few days , a few weeks or months or even a few years that he will be at the farm, but here and now this is unfolding, and he is safe .. It has been a long terrible week for him , and our hearts just break for him .  We are just so blessed that we can help, and so thankful to all of you who have purchased food shares from the farm so that we CAN help at a moments notice. 

Emma snapped this photo just moments after they picked him up on the way to the farm .. He was asleep in the car .. She said to us " wouldn't you think that going somewhere new he would be to excited to sleep", but we realized that for him, all that maters is that IT'S OVER.. he is safe  and he is with people that he knows and trusts, and that he has a history with .. what ever the future holds at this point is not the important part.. whats important is that he is HOME...

How can we express our gratitude to all of you who have had a part in this story..except a wholehearted God bless you ...  

OK so they all had a good laugh !

I went in to catch a goose to show the boys, got my feet tangled in the grass and down I went .. oh so funny people !

Here is what I would love for my Birthday..

I can not begin to express how grateful we are to everyone that has supported the last few weeks getting ready for winter here in Kyrgyzstan. Coal, coats, winter shoes, blankets, food hampers and so much more. The problem is that the needs are just so great here .
Many try to figure out things on their own with out help, but now that winter has hit, they realize that they need help, they can't wait any longer and then they contact us. The needs just keep coming in; here is the latest.

The Red River orphanage is looking for winter boots for the kids; 120 pairs they need.   They do have good running shoes that they can use as in door shoes, but the kids have to walk and play in the compound to get from dorms to class to cafeteria and sometimes they do get to go on outings. They need boots .

I can get good boots here for about $10 each .. Today is my birthday , and  I was just thinking that a pair of boots for me to give to one of our young friends at Red River would be an awesome birthday gift .. now I just need 120 of you to agree and celebrate with me. :) :)

To the farm with friends

Today was a busy day at the farm .  Jengish was making rabbit hutches, and a friend of ours came out and is replacing all the electrical wiring and outlets for us .  Even putting in a new panel box and meter box.  As well we picked up a couple long time friends of ours from one of the orphanage.  They  came for a visit t the farm then back to the apartment to make pizza and montie, their two favorites 

bunnies checking out their new nesting boxes . 2 inside and one playing on top 

a beautiful drive to the farm

Even the barn and the outhouse are getting lights and plugs 

Kodushka was happy to see people .. he came right over for a snuggle 

Cinnibun was content as well

not so sure about the goose though 

the chickens got a turn as well 

Borsolk has been under the weather the last few days .. I think he had too much ploff at the birthday party, but today was up and around and happy to see Emma 

No one is too sure of the BIG rabbits , eventually the boys warmed up to them 

Meanwhile the guys kept working .. this is such a blessing to have done for us 

some more view on the way home