![Interview with a Fruit Farmer - Part 2](/data/FileManager/thumbnails/Files/Static/bailey-zindel-NRQV-hBF10M-unsplash_1631736977_600x400.jpg)
Interview with a Fruit Farmer - Part 2
Learn the rest of Patrick's story in "Interview with a Fruit Farmer - Part 2!"
Tell me about your current project.
We are privileged to play a role in helping the country of Kazakhstan address some of the its main national development goals:
- To develop the fruit tree industry which is what the country used to be famous for, namely apples.
- To work toward fluency in 3 languages for its citizens: Russian, Kazakh and English.
- To improve the health of citizens by emphasizing sports and nutrition.
Correspondingly, we have a 3-fold emphasis in our work. The main component has been developing and operating an orchard training and extension program, which has been in place since 2000. We, together with our local trainers that we have taught to be trainers of trainers, have trained hundreds of local farmers over a large region of SE Kazakhstan. We have also trained farmers and trainers in the neighboring countries of Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. It is hard to imagine all of the impact that this project has made in the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of farming families in Central Asia.
My wife has been teaching English in the local schools as well as tutoring local students in our homeschool classroom. Her dream was to open up a small lending library. We have just opened it, naming it Light on a Hill. It has over 700 books and allows our local students to have access to a variety of books from Dr. Seuss to C.S. Lewis.
We have always emphasized good health, namely through our sports program. Over the past 16 years we have had numerous 5 and 10 km fun runs with up to 250 runners from many different villages. For the past 8 years we've organized a mountain bike/camping tour whereby we ride about 200-250 miles over 3 to 5 days with some local men and their families. Every year is in a different place and it's a great way to connect with our local friends on a deeper level. We also previously had a sports gym (see #6 below).
How have you seen it impact the community?
There are several layers of impact that build on each other. The most obvious and initial impact is to help farmers improve their farming methods such as pruning their trees properly and controlling pest and diseases, which all result in better (and more!) fruit quality. This in turn increases their income and quality of life. Another layer is affecting the way they look at their ability to change the circumstances around them rather than have either a fatalistic attitude and/or a "let Big Brother take care of me" approach to life. Next is the "light" that helps open up people's eyes to a different way of looking at life: a life in which transformation is possible. Transformation starts with people having hope that they can change their situation and/or circumstances. What we are excited about is to see how transformation can take place in an integrated way so that people are transformed completely in all of the areas of their lives. But it's always a work in progress.
How can other people get involved in your work?
First and foremost we encourage people to learn more about Central Asia and the great needs here. You can do this by following our newsletter. We are always encouraged by people writing to us and letting us know they are remembering us and the needs here.
Of course there is always the possibility of becoming a financial partner in the work. You can designate funds to the particular component of our overall project that you are most interested in.
Last, but not least, IDEAS and our project is always looking for more short-term and long-term workers. We hope to reopen our sports gym, Jonah's Gym, but to do that we would need at least a short-term physical education person to help us with some of the logistics and coaching. For the English program, local schools are always requesting foreign teachers. We are in the process of working with local officials to work out the visa situation.
What do you hope people understand about Kazakhstan, your project or working for an organization like IDEAS?
Kazakhstan is an incredibly diverse and interesting country that has many opportunities for people who want to make a difference. Kazakhstan is serious about becoming a modern country and is taking concrete steps to see that happen. The cultures of Central Asia are traditionally very hospitable and once you get to know people here they can welcome you into their lives and make you part of their extended families.
Working for IDEAS has been a great opportunity for us as a family to have an impact on people and use our skills as professionals. We appreciate the integrated approach to use all areas of our lives, not just part of them.
Did you miss Part 1? Click here to see how Patrick's story began!