Youth Life

Making Connections

2008-08-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

JULY 2008

Vitalik and Ilyos in London

Two of Youth Lifes break dancers arrived in England June the 27th 2008. The goal of this trip to the Uk is: to swap the expriences youth leaders have received through working in YOUTH LIFE and also to get to know other organisations how they work and also encourage them to visit central asia.

Vitalik teaching British Youth how to Break Dance

The exchange began in different schools meetings are held in the mornings: first of all, break dancing and then the guys introduce themselves and share with the British youth how they work in Central Asia and why we do the work we do?

Ilyos doing a freeze in London

Other areas talked about are the georgraphy of central asia and people, traditions and customs.

There has also been opportunity for the youth leaders from Tajikistan to try bmx and rollerbalding lessons in the UK. which has been very exciting...

The guys have also built 2 break dance teams in England, in the county of Essex but in different towns. The guys are looking forward to seeing how the teams will develop in the future and to help them.

10 YEARS OLD!!!

2008-07-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

June
10 Years of Miracles

Anya, Bahtieor, Daniel and Artu old and present Youth Life Leaders

10 Years Presentation
2008 is the 10 year that Youth Life’s programmes have been working; therefore this year’s presentation was extra special. A 10 year birthday was held and all youth who have worked with Youth Life previously and present were invited to this celebration. Around 850 youth and adults took part in this event. The event was made up of a presentation in a concert hall where many clubs took part, a small market was held by different clubs showing ideas they are developing for business, after the presentation a picnic was prepared in the park for closer fellowship.

Repairing the Multimedia Studio
Finally one of Youth Life’s dreams is coming true. Youth Life is in the process of building a small studio where they will be able to develop the already existing multimedia work. The first stages of preparing the studio are already happening and hopefully by the end of July the studio will be totally functioning. Plans are under way to start businesses and to make TV clips that can reach 32000 youth across the region.

Networking!!!

2008-07-10T11:19:00.000-07:00

May

Youth Festival in Bishkek
Youth Life were invited and took part in a regional Youth Conference based in Bishkek the Capital of Kyrgyzstan. A team of 8 people came form Tajikistan by taxi (takes 22 hours) driving through the mountains. The youth that came were responsible to lead other teams and provide training in break dance, hip hop and using your creativity. 350 youth took part in this event over 4 days.

Vitalik, Elzara, Katja and Mansur in Bishkek 2008

Exams were passed
Finally this year Katja, Ivan and Victor passed their Degree in International Economics, this process took 6 years but finally they have graduated. This is a great achievement and example for the other youth to show them not to quit once you start to do something so you can appreciate the fruit of your hard work!!!!

Vitea amazed that he passed his degree finally!!!

Training Training Training

2008-07-10T11:10:00.000-07:00

April

Tabashar Spring Camp

Tabashar Spring Camp
As usual Youth Life held its spring camp but this year they changed the place from the mountains of Shakriston to a pretty town called Tabashar. 70 Youth took part in this camp. The camp greatly encouraged all who attended after the severe long cold winter. Many young people were able to make new friends and encourage each other. Training for future youth leaders was given during this camp.

Presentation to Local Community where the new office is located

Youth Life relocated its offices a year ago, this year a presentation of the work was given to the local community where they are now based. The purpose of this is to work together with the local community, to find out what needs they have and to share the needs we have to see how we can help each other. Many local people turned out for this presentation and a great time of fellowship was had by all.

FINALLY SPRING!!!

2008-07-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

March

Festival in Osh

Youth Life was able to send a team of 9 people for the first Youth Festival in Osh in the South of Kyrgyzstan. 300 Youth attended this event from around the region. Our youth took part in many parts of the festival and made many new friends and were encouraged and able to encourage others.

Some of the break dance team from Khjuand with a break dance team from Osh

Guest who encourage you....

2008-07-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

February

Forum

This is an educational outreach that stretches young peoples knowledge in a
competitive way. This year the focus was on different nationalities and cultures.
Teams are formed and they have to present the country they represent in many
different ways. Around 250 youth attended this event.

Charles and Joyce Arrived

Youth Life had the privilege of guests visiting from the UK. The time that Charles and Joyce visited Youth Life encouraged the team during and after the severe winter. Charles and Joyce’s years of experience in Business and other related areas really built the team up and encouraged them in the areas they are already developing in.

Extreme Winters!!!!!

2008-07-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

January 2008

Trying to keep warm when it is cold everywhere

This past winter was the most extreme in the region for 30 years with temperatures below -25, no central heating, little and sometimes for days no electric, frozen water pipes and sewage for weeks. The winter took its toll on many areas of the society however one way or another the work we do kept going and sometimes kept us going too.

One of the clubs having fun even though it is soooo cold!

Strengthen our own infrastructure
After this winter we could see that we needed to make our infrastructure stronger so if we need to we can have our own electric and heating systems not relying on the central infrastructure. Tear Fund helped Youth Life to purchase a good generator and to repair the heating system that exploded due to the extreme low temperatures, so if such a winter should happen again Youth Life will be better prepared.

DECEMBER 2007!!!

2008-01-20T09:22:00.000-08:00

CELEBRATIONS!!

CARNIVAL!!! Yes in December in Central Asia. Youth Life as one of its 7 Concerts decided to put on a Carnival where youth from different youth clubs dressed up and took part in the Carnival in one of the towns where Youth Life is working.

Ian from England was able to visit Youth Life the beginning of December to encourage the team and check how things are going; Ian spent a week with the team and shared his experience and knowledge with the leadership and youth leaders. It was a good up building time.

The Annual New Years Disco!!!

New Years Eve! Is the big celebration in Central Asian countries! Youth Life gives the opportunity for those young people who do not want to be home due to difficult circumstances to come together as a community and make the evening fun and memorable for everyone.

Farzona

I really liked the carnival, there were many people there from different clubs and we all participated in the programme. The games were especially interesting and fun. I will never forget this day it was lots of fun. Everyone was dressed up in different costumes and many looked really beautiful, it was an unforgettable time like a fairy-tale, with songs and riddles. I thank all the organizers of this event for putting it on.

FULFILLING YOUR POTENTIAL

2008-01-20T00:24:00.000-08:00

NOVEMBER 2007

Which One is Wearing the Mask?

FRIENDSHIP!!!
Leaders training up up in the mountains!!!
School of Leaders was the focus of this winter camp. Camps are always a highlight of the work as you spend day and night together, cook, clean and do everything and it is a great time for team building and sharing. As a result of this camp many of the youth leaders were so touched and encouraged. At this youth camp there were 65 youth leaders. All activities were focused on encouraging and challenging the youth leaders to serve and help others as well as giving new strength.

Testimony: Ignat who is a Youth Volunteer

When we were at the winter leaders camp I shared with friends there that I was concerned about finding money to pay for my University fees. My friends encouraged me and told me we would find away. I arrived back home after the camp; I went to the University and saw all the other students gathered outside they were talking about who had paid and who needed to pay by the end of the week. I went home and expected something to happen. After some days, we found the money and were able to pay for this year’s fee!

FRIENDS AND ENCOURAGEMENT

2008-01-19T23:47:00.000-08:00

OCTOBER 2007

Youth Volunteer Training 2007

Peter and Meg came to Tajikistan to see how Youth Life’s work is doing and to have some input in to the way the organization is working. Both Peter and Meg are professionally trained and experienced people. They were able to really encourage all the youth leaders and help advise how to strengthen the organization in many areas. Focuses during their trip were tools for management, question and answer time, resolving staff conflicts etc… We hope they will come again for longer next time.

FULFILLMENT OF WHAT WAS BELIEVED FOR

2008-01-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

SEPTEMBER 2007

New Building
The team worked day and night to get the new premises in order and functioning, it was so great to have space to hold different activities and to have new things in place that are of a decent standard.

Testimony Nargiza who is youth volunteer...

I have been going to the club now for a year; I go because I like to spend time with others there. We spend our time there playing different games that teach us useful things, there are different themes and you make lots of new friends. Through out the year we prepare for different concerts and outreaches. Our teachers and youth leaders teach us to be good, not to swear and to respect each other and older people. We have also been able to give gifts to others and help those in our community.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

2008-01-19T05:43:00.000-08:00

AUGUST 2007

Ilyos doing a freeze in Portsmouth!

Break Dance
Youth Life for the first time was able to send a Break Dance team to the United Kingdom for a cultural exchange with youth in England. The team had a one-month tour to 6 different towns and cities. During the tour the team won a competition at an international youth camp and the prize they won was to make their own break dance clip to a professional level in England. The judges of the competition complemented the group on how well they had represented their home country. As a result of this tour another tour is planned for the summer of 2008 in Europe and many young people are now interested to visit Tajikistan and Central Asia for cultural exchange.

The Team that was in England!!!

Hot Hot Hot!!!

2007-07-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

July

Summer Workshops

First week of the Summer Workshops 150 youth were expected but 320 turned up. The building was full of people everywhere. The themes of this workshop were: Obedience, friendship, how to serve each other and how to listen and many more. Week 2 there were 260 youth that came for the workshops and week 3 for the sports competition 150 youth. During the whole time of the workshops this summer: 798 Youth took part

There were different workshops going on the whole week: Acting, cooking, break dance, business, music, dance, table tennis, national dance, crafts and many more.

The time was a great time of learning to know each other and develop each others talents and learning to use them in positive ways to bless others.

Each week everyone went to the local beach to swim which cooled everyone down, the current temperature in Tajikistan is 36+C.

One of the workshops was Break Dance

The only place that the break dance could take place was on the roof of the new building, the 3rd floor. Each week there were at least 40+ students learning to break dance. Together with the break dance training social training was also given and discussions held.

Ramzidin, aged 13, he attends one of ‘Youth Life’s’ youth clubs in another city. Ramzidin started to learn break dance but he was finding it hard to pickup. The break dance trainer encouraged him and each day there was a teaching about character for example: How to listen, why we need to obey etc and this helped him to learn and develop in his break dance. As a result of his good attitude he was allowed to attend the workshops the following week. Now he wants to develop this area of his life more and more. He wants to join ‘Youth Life’s’ main break dance team training each week.

Holidays!!!!

2007-07-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

JUNE

Presentation

750 Youth and parents attended this outreach. The theme was ‘What are your talents’. 22 clubs took part, the youth clubs presented: Songs, rap, slide show, film clip, break dance, Tajik dance, and contemporary dance, cow boys, dancing with candles, fashion show, Indian drama and various poems.

The clubs presenting their talents to the local community

This year what was different to previous years was that there were many more parents, directors of schools attending the presentation which helps the community to see how talented their children really are.

This year a mobile café was set up which many people enjoyed. A presentation of all businesses was also set up before the concert and different youth were able to sell things from their businesses to help support their clubs.

Dance team presented a hat dance

Battle
June 16th a break dance competition was held in Khujand in Tajikistan. 450 Youth attended this outreach. Teams came from other towns to compete, 5 people came from Dushanbe the Capital of Tajikistan.

The results of the Battle were:
First place Dushanbe ‘Crazy Guys’
Second place Khujand ‘City Power’
Third place Khujand ‘New Life’

‘Crazy Guys’ from Dushanbe during the Battle shared with Youth Life break dance team that such concerts and activities are not being developed in the Capital and they wish that they could have such a work in Dushanbe, so that these spheres could grow more.

Training
Volunteer Training of Youth workers and a scout camp were held at the end of June
Results of this training were how well the Youth Volunteers took part, they were much more active and the atmosphere during the training was positive and open.

Youth volunteer training 68 youth

New Beginnings

2007-07-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

May 2007

Tear Fund Visited

The beginning of the month of May Tear Fund representatives visited ‘Youth Life’ in Tajikistan. For 3 days Youth Life presented their work to Tear Fund. It was a great time of sharing and listening to each other. This time also confirmed how important this work is in Central Asia and that we must develop even more useful programmes for youth in the region.

Preparation for Break Dance Battle and Presentation of Youth Life’s work in Tajikistan

The month of May is very much a winding down month for all youth clubs. This year several of the youth outreaches were planned for June. The end of May was used to prepare for these outreaches.

Active and Busy Month

2007-05-17T04:45:00.000-07:00

April 2007

Jam
This is an outreach to other Break Dancers in the local area. Break dancers come together not to compete but to share what moves they know and to see what others are learning. This is a friendly time to talk and dance and encourage each other in break dance. Youth Life hired a sports hall for this event in the city centre. 130 youth took part and 80 break dancers came to this outreach. In June the Battle will be held by Youth Life in Tajikistan, the Jam was also used to see how many teams are willing to take part and to help with the bigger event which is the Battle!

Samaritan Purse Presents and Concerts
The past 3 months Youth Life has been distributing to schools, kindergartens, hostels etc presents from Samaritans Purse. Each youth leader has organized mini presentations or concerts in the schools and kindergartens where ever they work and have clubs and during the presentation presents were presented to more than 3000 children and youth. All of which were extremely happy to receive such delightful gifts that they are able to keep. The great thing about these presents is how they open many new hearts to Youth Life’s work and that friendships and help can be shared with really needy young people. This is a long term work.

Spring Youth Leaders Camp in ‘Shakriston’
This year Youth Life’s youth leaders camp was moved from March to April as repairing on the new building was in full swing and every ones help was needed. The end of April 75 youth leaders headed to the beautiful mountains of Tajikistan called ‘Shakriston’ to spend 5 days together camping. The theme was all focused on ‘Who am I’, ‘What kind of personality do I have?’. Some of the highlights of this camp were: practically teaching the youth how good and bad decisions can affect our lives in different ways. Spring had already come so the mountains were green and this was a pleasant change to freezing snow and cold temperatures.

The last night all the youth leaders took part in a presentation where each one of them presented something in a creative way to bless the others, this was a great fun time that blessed everyone!!

Moving to the New Building phase 1
Finally the beginning of April it was time to move all Youth Life’s things to the new premises. Everything was not yet ready but the first floor was ready for the office furniture. 5 Trucks were rented to transport all the things that Youth Life has collected over the past 9 years. This was a great moment as so much effort and strength from the young people's hearts has gone into this project and to see it coming together strengthened the purpose and vision of the team. Currently the first building is being finished and the foundations and skate park will be started within the next few weeks.

New Hope.....

2007-03-30T00:36:00.000-07:00

March 2007

Break Dance team performed in different concerts

Youth Life has 3 teams that it is working with in Tajikistan, a team that it supports in Bulgaria and 2 teams that it partners with in Kyrgyzstan. In Tajikistan the Break Dance team ‘New Life’ trains 3 times a week and through out the month they also perform in concerts and have a small business where they get paid to dance in wedding celebrations. This sphere of the work is growing very rapidly and there is a big interest from different countries to get the Breakers to visit and train other young people.

New Generation Concert in the city of Kairokum

March 3rd a concert was organized and held in the city of Kairokum, the concert was based around the topic ‘True Friendship won’t break’. The auditorium was full with people, and people were waiting outside to come in; more than 500 youth attended this outreach. 50 youth were involved in setting up the concert and in performing on the stage.

Comment from this concert:
One man who attend this concert was very impressed with all he saw and heard and told to one of the youth leaders, “We used to have such concerts when I was a child but we have not had such well organized and put together concerts for along time”.

Two big orienteering games were held in two main cities in the North of Tajikistan

Finally spring has come to Tajikistan, as the weather is better Youth Life decided to gather clubs from different cities together for a competition outside. One was held in the City of Chekalovsk and the other in Khujand. The purpose of the event was to encourage all the clubs by meeting together, make new friends, activate the youth and to learn from the whole event useful things for life. In Chekalovsk more than 400 came and in Khujand 700. The clubs that won each competition were: In Chekalovsk club ‘Cool Guys’ from the city of Karikom , they were all presented with prizes that can be used in their club activities. In Khujand the club ‘Sunrise’ won.

Two of Youth Life’s project finished with two of our best donors GG and WER

Two of Youth Life’s supporting organizations projects have now come to an end and Youth Life would like to thank them for all their support and partnership and looks forwards to the possibility of working together more in the future.

Soon it will be SPRING!!!

2007-03-29T02:14:00.000-07:00

February 2007

Janya specalizes in marketing and helps to develop businesses for Young People

One of the clubs business at Youth Life's Concert

Focus on BUSINESS!!!

The whole of the program Youth Life runs is to empower young people from a young age right into adult hood. Business is the way forward for the future. Youth Life encourages young people to start businesses. They run an interactive program with each club to start small mini businesses to give young people experience in actually doing business. Youth Life has many activities such as concerts and camps when many young people take part and where businesses are easy to set up and money can be made. This past year 18 different businesses have been run and all profits are given back to the club to invest in further activities that they choose. The long term future there are plans to set up a training for families that are vulnerable to start businesses and for youth leaders to take the more successful business concepts and enlarge them and run for future ventures.

Bahrom is an inovator and had lots of new ideas for businesses locally

Youth outreach based entirely on Knowledge

Each year “Forum of Knowledge” is held where different youth from different clubs compete to win first place in this competition. Each team has to present a different town or city from Tajikistan and prepare costume, information about different cultural aspects of that place in a good and clear way. Teachers and professors from schools and Universities are invited to judge the competition and to award the prizes. 250 youth and adults attended this outreach.

One of the teams competing in the Forum of Knowledge

New Premises

Repairing, repairing and repairing….. the new premises is almost ready, the team has been amazing in how they have pulled together to get things ready. Parents of our youth have also been helping. Soon the office will move and then we have more repairing to do to complete the new parts of the works expansion.

Repair of the New Building, getting better and better!

Friends are friends forever

2007-02-02T08:26:00.001-08:00

January 2007

Highlights from January:

Nick with good friend Bahrom

Nick visits Youth Life after almost a year:
It was great after almost a whole year to get to go back to Tajikistan and see how the work was doing. The first great difference was to see how the new leadership team of 6 young adults were supporting each other and working out problems. Another great difference is those who lead the work were all on the receiving end of the services Youth Life has given over the years so they all know what it is like to receive the services and to give them. So they are in a much better position to bring changes to the work that will benefit the youth we serve and equip the youth leaders to do a good job.

During my visit I also made a point of visiting several youth leaders’ parents at home. Winter is always a challenging time of the year. Conditions this year have proved to be much harder than in previous years. So we decided to hold a presentation and party for all our youth leaders families so they would be encouraged by what their children are doing.

All Youth Leaders singing to their parents at the parents meeting

Youth Leaders Parents meetings

Almost all the parents came to the presentation and party Youth Life put together. This was the first time we had had the idea of showing the work to the parents of the youth leaders. The purpose was to show the parents how capable and talented their children are. To show the parents that the gifting and abilities their children have is partly inherited, and that they should be proud of themselves too as they see their children successfully serving the community where they live. The presentation was an instant hit, many of the youth leaders were so nervous in front of their parents more than if they were in front of 800 youth in a concert. The parents clapped, cried, danced, ate, laughed and were very happy with the work their children do in Youth Life. Many parents thanked Youth Life for all they do and pledged to help the work grow more in the future.

Vitalik with his Grandmother

What some parents said: One mother commented on how she has never seen such friendship between people like amongst the Youth Life team . Other parents cried and thanked Youth Life for helping their children to grow and learn new things for the future.

In the near future we plan to have such meetings for all volunteers’ parents and for the youth leaders’ parents.

Visit from the Ukraine to Tajikistan
3 Young people from the Ukraine visited Youth Life’s work at the end of January. A team from Khujand had visited the Ukraine the previous year and relationships were made. This team from the Ukraine came to see the work in Tajikistan and to see how they may be able to help in the future. Friendships were strengthened and the Youth Life team was greatly encouraged by seeing old friends again. Maybe new opportunities will open for young people to travel to the Ukraine to get business training in the near future. We will see……

Anna, Alexi and Valentina from Ukraine

New Year New Building

2007-02-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

December 2006

Highlights:

New Generation Gafforov
Youth Life organized a big concert for the city of Gafforov in Tajikistan. Over 400 youth attended the concert. Youth Life has 2 clubs in Gafforov and they helped to organize and took part in the concert. The concerts program had youth from clubs performing: Traditional Tajik dance, Break dance, contemporary dance group ‘United’, other clubs also performed different dances. Two young people sang at the concert. Youth Life multimedia team also showed a special montage they had made showing the importance of friendship. The business team also practiced different kinds of businesses during the concert. Representatives from the regional Education department, local schools and parents were present and were all very happy with how the event was set up, run and the content. Requests for more concerts have been received and are planned for the near future.

Clubs performing in Gafforov at the concert

Clubs Christmas/New Year parties:
All 29 clubs organized and set up parties for the New Year and for Christmas. Money was raised from the youth in clubs giving money to the celebration or by bringing things.

Umed is a young guy who is a volunteer in one of Youth Life’s clubs, he told his youth leader that he enjoys going to his club because he has made lots of new friends, this celebration really made him happy as it was a fun time and everyone gave and received presents, he could eat and talk with his friends, such good times are not so often.

Umed a great captain!

Possible New Premises for Youth Life:
Youth Life has a had a vision for some years to move to a building where it can grow much more and have a stable base for its work. Where different projects can grow and be developed. Now an appropriate building and land has been secured and the process of repairing it and making it ready for all the activities that will happen this year is under way. A new thing that will be developed strongly are the 2 new skate parks and extreme sports centre.

Pictures of the New Youth Life Administration Building and Multimedia Studio

Adventures on the roof of the World

2007-02-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

November 2006

Highlights:

Autumn Camp in the Mountains:

This is the sceen at the winter camp

100 youth volunteers and leaders were able to go up into the mountains of Tajikistan to spend 5 days together. The goal of this time was to build a stronger team spirit. The programme was very active and interesting. Each day there were different games and practical things teams had to do to build their teams up. It was a great fun time and it even snowed and everyone had snow ball fights and got very wet.

Marsha is a young girl helping in one of the older youth clubs, she said that she was amazed how the young leaders were able to organize such an interesting time and take responsibility for the whole trip. Her desire now is to see such potential and ability in her clubs central team so they can do more things together in the future.
Marsha has been going to one of the clubs for years and is a great volunteer.

Everyone has different talents

2007-02-02T05:39:00.001-08:00

October 2006

Highlights:

New Generation Chekalovsk:
Youth Life held an outreach in the City of Chekalovsk, this was the first big event Youth Life had held since the summer. The focus of this outreach was to encourage young people to see the importance of Education and how it opens doors for their future. The programme consisted of dance, break dance, drama, a small montage about education, businesses, and of course lots of fun and games.

Youth Life hired a public building in Chekalovsk, they set up everything themselves, decorations, prepared the presenters, there were young people who were ushers and helpers, businesses were set up and lots of planning and organizing was done, the Director of the building that was being hired commented on how well the young leaders had organized and planned the whole event and welcomed them back again at any time.

Tajik Dance group performing at the concert in Chekalovsk

Clubs started
After 6 weeks of planning and asking for permission from different places Youth Life launched its 29 clubs for the academic year 2006 -2007. Children and young people from 4 different cities started to pour back into the youth clubs for another year of activities and fun.

One of the clubs having a good time

Angela Young visits again:
Angela is an English lady who visits the work in Tajikistan regularly she has worked with youth organizations most of her life and she comes to encourage and challenge the work to grow stronger. This visit astonished Angela as it was the first time she had seen the young leaders leading the work totally. She commented on how well the team was working and how the work was growing. She plans to visit the work again this year to encourage more and maybe bring some containers too.

Angela with Eldar at a Concert

Multimedia takes off:
Vitea who is a great youth leader found an article in the newspaper advertising a media competition in Dushanbe the Capital of Tajikistan. To qualify for the competition you needed to send a TV clip to the organization in Dushanbe within a certain time. He managed to get everything together and won a place on the seminar. In Dushanbe he found out that more than 40 people applied mostly from TV stations and only 8 were selected, he was one of the 8. His vision now for Multi media has really taken off and a business is growing to help Youth Life and the young people it is envisioning.

Vitea is responsible for Youth Life Multi Media

Education Your Future

2007-02-02T04:58:00.001-08:00

September 2006
Highlights:

Planning for Clubs and work
This month is used to evaluate and plan Youth Life’s programmes for the whole year, time is spent listening to youth leaders, parents of the children, Directors of schools, the children themselves and our volunteer workers to see if the work is really getting results or not. Risks are assessed and changes made to the work as plans are made for the whole year ahead. It is a very important time and very effective.

Children having a good time at one of the clubs together activities

Back to school program
Each year Youth Life finds children who have dropped out of the school system but want to re-enter and finish school. Youth Life partners with another organization called Helping Hand Charity Fund where a special school has been set up to help these children re-enter the normal school system.

Sasha attended the Back to school programme for 2 years and was able to re-enter school and finish and now he is studying at college. He wants to become a mechanic.

Student’s sponsorship 2006-2007
For the past 4 years Youth Life has had an initiative to help young people who have the desire and the ability to go on to University by raising sponsorship for them. The program which started with only 4 guys has grown now to 52 students. The programme is not all for free, there are conditions that the students must meet and they must pass all entry exams to the course they want to study. Each September new students enter this programme and start studying at University, this next year we will see the first 4 guys graduate after 5 years of studying at different Universities. So a big banquet is planned to celebrate the fact they have finished and to encourage the others studying not to give up but to finish what they start.

Ira, Alisher, Katja, Madina and Aisha are all in the Student sponsorship programme and are studying well.

Summer Fun

2007-01-31T09:39:00.000-08:00

August 2006

Retreat for all Youth Life workers
Each year a retreat is set up just for the youth workers, a time where they can relax together and recharge their batteries. A flexible programme is set up where leaders can learn to relax and just enjoy life. This time is important for the team to be able to assess all that has happened the past year so that new strength and inspiration can be found for the next year.

Youth leaders relaxing on the retreat

Summer workshops
This year for the first time Youth Life did not hold a summer camp but held several weeks of day camp activities in the city of Khujand. The idea was to create an environment like a camp but that only lasted for a day. The workshops that were held were: cooking, gardening, break dance, modern dance, traditional dance, business, crafts and many others. Many younger children came to these workshops as they could go home in the evenings. It was a good time with lots of fun. At the end of each week long workshop a celebration was held and everyone danced and sang and ate lots of food.

Children having a good time at the summer workshops

Clubs in more detail
Youth Life has been working for almost 8 years in Tajikistan helping young people where they live. One of the main ways it works is by holding interactive youth clubs in 4 cities. There are 29 youth clubs and 1500 young people attend these clubs each week. The clubs also have their own vision, business, outings, plans and program. There are clubs in different languages some are in Tajik and some in Russian. Additional to the clubs each youth leaders visits the family of at least 2 children at home each week, to keep them updated about who we are and what we are doing and if we can help in any other way.

Getting a Global Vision

2007-01-31T09:03:00.000-08:00

July 2006

Highlights:

Second team to Bulgaria
Due to the success of the first team to Bulgaria a second trip was planned. After the break dancers returned it was necessary to send some back again to maintain the break dance that had been started and to build a team. Two youth leaders were able to go to Bulgaria for 6 weeks to help continue this work. There are plans in the future to keep partnering with other organizations in Bulgaria to learn from them and to give them the things we have learnt.

The Guys in Bulgaria teaching break dance to Gypsy youth

UKRAINE

Two teams to the Ukraine
6 Youth leaders had the chance to travel and visit the Ukraine. The trips turned out to be a great time. The first team of youth leaders traveled to Kiev to visit other youth works in the city. To see how others are working with young people and to learn from them. For many it was their first time ever abroad and the whole experience was like an education. New friends were made and relationships formed. The second team attended a youth camp outside of Kiev where they were leading teams of youth for a week. The camp was held in the forest and was a very busy and effective time. Both teams learnt a lot from these trips as their world view grew. There are now plans for other teams to travel again so they can learn more and inspire more young people at home to travel to increase their potential and abilities.

The team that went to Kiev

Eldar with new friends in the Ukraine

Scout 2006

2006-06-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

June 24th a scout trip was organized by ‘Youth Life’ for 140 youth volunteers. These volunteers included: Assistants who help each youth club, captains (45) who help the youth leaders and the youth leaders.

First all we all traveled to a huge lake called ‘Karricum’, we all went swimming there and played, and then there was a relay race and sports. Then we all got onto the bus again and spent the night in a building that ‘Youth Life’ is in the process of buying. We stayed in the building all night, spending time with each other, sharing and relaxing. A great team spirit was built and lots of food was eaten.

The Purpose: Scout is used to inspire all volunteers that they are important for our work, and we want to give them new strength so that the work of ‘Youth Life’ will move further on with them and the visions they have in their hearts.

Some statistics about 'Youth Life Scout':
As the name implies it is a time when everyone sleeps outside and alot like camping.
The event is used to spend quality time with the 180 youth volunteers.
The time is used to build a strong team spirit and to share resources.
The event is filled with purpose and activity.

Good memories are built by doing things together and caring for each other.
Happens at least once a year.

Youth Life Goes to Bulgaria >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

2006-06-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

3 guys from ‘Youth Life’ Tajikistan got the chance to visit Bulgaria to help vulnerable young people in one of its big cities!!!

Here is what they experienced:

“Yesterdays highlight was choosing the Lino for our break dancing team; we wondered around the shop rubbing each roll trying to find the shiniest surface!”

These 3 boys, Vitalik, Ilyos and Victor had been on the road for 11 days heading for Bulgaria! Then the 3 of them were in Moscow for another 6 days waiting for their visas.

The hosts in Bulgaria said:
”Yesterday I collected them from the airport and immediately fell in love with these quiet, humble young men.”

”They danced in the evening meeting and were amazing, the crowd went wild, afterwards Ilyos gave his testimony how his home and family had been transformed by the help and love they had received from others who cared.”

This trip has given these 3 young men new experiences, new ideas, new expectations and new abilities to train and care for others as others have trained and cared for them.

VITALIK, ILYOS, VIKTOR!! WOW,WOW,WOW.

Some statistics about this trip:
Outreach to Gypsy communities by local, English and Tajik people together.
700 Gypsies attended.
Several hundred young people came because of the break dance.
Gypsies are a negelected people group in Bulgaria and some live a extreme poverty.
Some similarities between Bulgarian language and Russian and Turkish language is similar to Uzbek.

BATTLE - 2006

2006-06-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

On April 15th, 2006 in Khujand ‘BATTLE 2006’ took place. Every year Youth Life organizes this action and after each year more and more youth get involved. The mobile team (4 youth that travel around Youth life’s work), worked very hard to set this event up together with the other 28 youth leaders.

The Purpose: Youth want to gather as many break dancers as possible, to inspire and give them support so that they could express their talents and abilities in a safe environment. That each team could be friends with each other, and develop this extreme sport in Central Asia.

Achievements: In this ‘BATTLE’ the following teams took part: New life, City Power,
Mega Blast, City Boys, and team Movement of Death. The whole outreach was a great time for everyone. Over 600 youth bought tickets and from them 200 actively took part in setting it up and running it. Youth Life’s team New Life has shown strongly and positively influenced other teams to realize that break dance can be enjoyed and used in positive ways that helps to build the society.

The Testimony: From team Movement to Death, (the captain of the team): I really liked this Battle I was really encouraged by it, Youth Life has a high level of organizing such big events, and I think, that now I have received an example from you and I have a desire to organize more ‘BATTLES’.

Other information about 'Youth Life' Battles:
Youth Life has held Battles for the past 6 years.
More than 800 youth can attend any one Battle.
Clips from the Battles are often shown on the local TV stations.
Youth Life also holds a JAM each year where 140 break dancers take part.
Youth Life has its own team called 'New Life' made up of 9 dancers.
The break dance part of the programme is very effective when working with Street Children.
New Life is currently raising up 9 new teams that they will support.
Current plans to have Battles in Bulgaria and Krygystan.

Presentation for Samaritans Purse

2006-06-28T06:44:00.000-07:00

11th of April 2006 from USA arrived regional Director for Central Asia 'Samaritans Purse' David Thomson. He visited various works one of which was ‘Youth life,’ he came to see how the youth is engaged in the distribution of presents to other youth. ‘Youth Life’ organized a presentation where an interactive programme was shown to hundreds of other youth by youth and then presents were given out at the end from Samaritans purse.

David was in Khujand for 2 days, he visited almost all youth clubs (29). He was
surprised, seeing so many children are actively involved in clubs. This short time encouraged David Thomson as he saw such an active and good work in Tajikistan. As David was leaving Khujand he told the youth that he would like to come not for just 2 days but for one month next time…………………..

2006-04-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

FEBRUARY 2006

A GREAT EDUATIONAL EXPERIENCE - FORUM OF KNOWLEDGE 2006

On February 4th 2006 the event ‘Forum of knowledge 2006’ was held by Youth Life.
The theme of the event was: “The countries of Aryan descent”.

This event was devoted to the year 2006, year of Aryan civilization.

The goal of this event was: to increase the knowledge and historical self-consciousness, and to foster a greater desire to love Tajikistan the land its history and its people. It is good to know that our country was part of the higher culture and civilization.

4 Teams took part in the Forum of knowledge, from the 3 towns in the Sugd region:
Club: “Progress” from Chkalovsk presented ‘Iran’.
Club: “Sunrise” from Khujand presented ‘Germany’.
Club: “Triumph” from Chkalovsk presented ‘France’.
Club: “Eagle” from Gafurov presented ‘India’.

The program contained the following areas:

I. The history of the country with Aryan.
II. About the country.
III. The tour of judges.
IV. Advantages and achievements of the countries.

Besides this each team prepared different creative numbers, national costumes, flag, and various dramas.

The following judges evaluated the teams; they were specially invited to the event:
Mrs Roza Sharipova - Teacher of history, Khujand
Mrs Elena Mamadnazarova – A member of Board of Directors of ‘YOUTH LIFE’.
Mrs Zuhra Rahmonova - Teacher of special needs program.

To this program also was includes lecture of Aryan civilization Mr Numon Negmatovich- From the Academy of Sciences.

At the end of Forum:

The winner was club: ‘Eagle’ from the town of Gaffurov (presented ‘India’)

Second place was club: ‘Triumph’ from the town Chkalovsk (presented ‘France’)

Third place was club: ‘Sunrise’ from the city of Khujand (presented ‘Germany’)

All teams that took part received a certificate.

Achievements: Young people were exposed to new information that was interesting about different countries. All those who took part who represented different nations, found out all the information about their country and the costumes they wore, they also made up their own dances and dramas. It was wonderful to see their participation. Overall it was a great experience.

Talents and something to contribute

2006-01-13T05:12:00.000-08:00

December 16th 2005
New Generation Youth reaching Youth

Young people showing what they learnt at the Hip Hop seminar

New Generation is a youth outreach where young people come together, it is specifically aimed at giving young people the opportunity to plan and show their talents to each other. The event is made up of a good organized disco, an interactive program in the middle where different youth will show their talents. Then a time to eat and make friends. Each program consists of around an issue that young people find particularly relevant to their lives and to the times they are living in. Such themes have included: What is racism; it is good where you live now, Drugs, Friendship and so on. This latest one was called ‘New Year’, 600 tickets were given out and young people from 4 different cities were invited to the event on a Friday afternoon after lessons at school and University had finished.

This outreach included:
Tajik dance by dance group ‘Progress’ the dance was full of life and very elegantly presented.
Break dance by ‘New Life’, the team is made up of orphans, street kids and other youth, the dance had been prepared for a Break Dance Battle that had taken place several weeks before. Full of energy and captures other young peoples attention easily.
Drama: A group of young people presented a message about caring for each other and the need to give.
Presents were given to each other to remember the time and food was shared.
During the duration of the outreach everyone was given the opportunity to attend a practical activity from hip hop dance, break dance, Tajik dance and singing karaoke.
Video clips were shown that youth leaders from youth life had produced themselves highlighting the dangers of drug abuse.
Lots and lots of time to dance and get to know each other.

Goal of the outreach:
To bring young people together from different walks of life and different backgrounds.
To create a memorable time for those young people who are experiencing extreme difficulties at home.
To give all young people the chance to show their talents and how they can contribute something constructive to others.
To include other young people who are new.

Results of the outreach, what was achieved:
300 young people attended this event and were reached in a constructive way.
Many of those who attended this outreach came from homes where they are experiencing many problems and difficulties; they were able to meet other young people who were positive and encouraging.
Many of those attending were active and got something out of all the activities knowing that they have something to contribute to others.
More than 100 young people were empowered by running and performing in the event.
Countless conversations and friendships were forged so that young people can begin to trust each other and get help when it is needed.

Big Fellowship

2006-01-13T04:28:00.000-08:00

November 27th 2005
Big Fellowship
The team of youth leaders from ‘Youth Life’ gave a new idea to organize once a month something called ‘Big Fellowship’. It is the kind of event where you gather as many young people who want to get together, especially those we have been working with from 26 clubs that are held each week. And also to invite our friends and neighbors who may not usually invite to the clubs or other events we are involved in. We organize a place before hand and we walk to this place together so we can build up our friendships, and a activity based program is prepared in advance. Play games, different sports, eat, take photos and enjoy being with each other.

Goal of the outreach:
November 27th ‘Big Fellowship’ took place in ‘Youth Life’ building and 40 young people came together. The young people shared a great time together when they watched a film ‘Island’ and listened to music.

Many young people in Tajikistan during the winter time they do not have gas or electric at home and by providing such a place and a friendly atmosphere people are able to relax and be themselves. Begin to trust and talk to each and gain access to constructive help and support.

Results of the outreach, what was achieved:
Many young people came to this outreach and this pleasantly surprised many of the workers and created a great atmosphere of friendship and trust. Everyone liked the programme and many new ideas began to form to do other things together.

Youth go to the Mountains

2006-01-13T02:46:00.000-08:00

Young people in the Bus going back home

<November 2005

Every year ‘Youth Life’ holds a youth activity camp in the mountains which are called ‘Shakriston’ from November 3rd to 7th. 70 Young people attend these camps each time. Each time when these camps are run something good happens in the lives of the young people that attend.

Lovely Tajik Countryside

The goals of this camp are:

i. To give effective youth activities to youth leaders.
ii. To give young people tools so that they can develop as unique individual people.
iii. To use drama, orienteering and spending time together to bring about these changes.

After the camp many of the youth leaders were telling of how the time had impacted their lives and changed them. You maybe asking how do we really know lives have been changed and built up? Many of them gave feed back that they were studying better at school or university, their relationship with their parents had improved. Many also said how they had a greater desire to help at home with different chores, and many youth leaders could see when visiting the 26 youth clubs we run each week that many of these youth were much more active and had many more ideas.

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Youth having a good time making memories that will last forever

Testimony
Farhard, Young Man:
What I liked the most about this camp was the atmosphere of friendship, and the good activities. I learnt through this camp how to relate more effectively with young people, to understand the problems that young people face and how to give support so that they can begin to find away out of them.

Results of this event, what was achieved
There was a great atmosphere of fun and enjoying life and each other. Many young people commented on how they liked that they could see different parts of Tajikistan’s countryside and nature and this made them feel much happier. The activities were interesting and easy to understanding, especially the ones that you could take part in and do.

Youth Life

2005-12-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

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Youth Life

Youth Life is a Republican Public Association (NGO) that has developed its programme into a number of diverse development projects for vulnerable and young people by young people and their families. The problems identified have developed from the following process:-
Local and overseas youth work specialists examined the regional situation and could see that children and youth are one of the least reached and supported group in the whole of Central Asia and they need to be reached and supported. As a result it was decided to conduct a survey in order to make sure that this is what they have to launch. In 1998 in collaboration with the UNHCR the survey was conducted which concluded that the children and youth are the least reached and supported group in Tajikistan and in all Central Asian countries. At the same time youth worker specialist contacted Governmental officials to receive their opinion and views towards this particular issue. Since that time the work started on a very small scale. As a result the research was held in 1998 jointly with UNHCR when 1000 families were monitored in Khujand (second biggest city in Tajikistan). Many children had dropped out from school, and there was an increasing number of children living on the streets and involved in criminal and other negative activities. Youth Life (YL) grew as a program to help keep children at home with their families and to prevent children from needing Government funding (which has not been greatly available)to come into institutional care and developed into a diverse youth work that now works with hundreds of youth every week.