Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia and bordering Russia and China, is
the world's largest land-locked country with a population of 17 million
people. The same government leaders have been in strict control for more
than 20 years, monitoring the country's Communist politics. Even with
some economic benefits due to the country's natural resources of oil and
gas, there are still many needy Kazak people in the rural areas, who
are poverty-stricken due to high taxes and low wages among the lower
classes. Poor families sometimes cast off their younger children to
state-run orphanages rather than try to provide for them. The rate of
suicide and human trafficking among these "social orphans" is high. With
a predominately Muslim population, there has been an increase in
Christian persecution, but Young Life's leaders are determined to grow
the ministry to kids, especially the poor, orphans and those with
special needs. They offer mentoring, Christian fellowship, scholarships
and spiritual care where it's most needed. The Young Life Training
Center provides a place for leaders from all over Central Asia to meet,
encourage and support one another.
For more information contact Carrie Fraser at
cfraser@sc.younglife.org and check out the
FSU Website​