Kazakhstan is a country that lies between two continents – Europe and Asia. However, most of the country (94%) is in Asia. Kazakhstan is the ninth biggest country in the world and 16.2 million people live there. On it’s borders are China and Russia. Kazakhstan’s terrain is varied, ranging from lowlands to hilly plateaus and plains, to deserts and mountains.
Kazakhstan’s varied terrain supports lots of wildlife. The rare Saiga Antelope lives in Kazakhstan, as do Wolves, Brown Bears, and the endangered Snow Leopard. Kazakhstan has an extreme climate. In the winter temperatures can drop to a freezing -20 degrees Celsius. In the summer they reach a sizzling 40 degrees.
The people of Kazakhstan are called Kazakhs and the language they speak is Kazakh. Most also speak Russian. About 70% of Kazakhs are Muslim and just under 2% are Catholic. Some Kazakh Catholic churches have started Holy Childhood (Mission Together) clubs for children in the area. At these clubs, children meet to learn more about Jesus, take part in activities, pray for themselves and for children around the world, and plan ways to serve their community.
Sadly, there are some children in Kazakhstan who for different reasons live in care homes run by Catholic parishes. These children need lots of support and Mission Together helps to provide this. The film below was sent to us by their parish priest. Listen to the children sing – ‘Let us lift up our hearts!’