Next week I’ll embark on the 17-hour flight time (plus a layover in Istanbul). I appreciate those of you who have given toward this work and I will happily reinvest your trust in the fertile fields of Kazakhstan.
When I arrive at 330 am, I’ll make my way to the project headquarters and catch a little sleep before the day starts at 10 am with the first group scheduled.
Throughout my week, I’ll interact with dozens of individuals who are involved in the project. Of course, I’ll interview and photograph the committed horticulturalists who doing the training, but I’ll spend a significant amount of time with the families who are directly impacted.
Because of Reclaim’s involvement, generations will be able once again to sustain themselves through crops, using modern technology that will provide their own sustenance. Self-reliance is a key toward restoring dignity. Generations are benefiting from this work.
What’s my role?
In case you missed my first note, I am embarking on this trip as a communications advocate for the organization to document, write, and share the incredible stories of this initiative. A videographer will accompany me, and the two of us will bring to light the transformative work happening in Kazakhstan, the lives it touches, and the rich cultural and ecological heritage it seeks to preserve. These stories will not only celebrate the return of this lost knowledge but also inspire others to support and engage with Reclaim.
The organization plans to use the stories we bring back as part of their year-end financial campaign supporting dozens of their projects across the globe. They will also use them to help foster investment in this worthy project, as well as recruiting for this and other areas.
Two years ago, I did some of the same work in Jordan and Beirut, Lebanon. You can find some of my stories here and here.
Background on the project
Kazakhstan holds the genetic roots of the apple tree, a treasure of biodiversity and agricultural heritage. Yet, in 1947, a terrible change swept the country as the Soviet regime transformed family farms into collectives. This shift not only dismantled the traditional ways of life but also erased generations of knowledge about raising crops, including apples. The orchards that once thrived as symbols of abundance and self-reliance became shadows of their former glory.
But the story does not end there. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of the organization I’m working with, “RECLAIM”, the art and science of apple cultivation are being restored in Kazakhstan. I’m hoping you will want to be part of this effort.
Who is Reclaim?
Reclaim helps communities and individuals flourish by removing barriers to dignity. They have projects in 13 countries, where they place qualified professionals in some of the world’s most challenging locations. They offer outstretched hands and humble hearts, nurturing healthy communities and people.
In Kazakhstan, Reclaim has been teaching locals how to raise apples commercially, replanting not just trees, but also restoring the hope, dignity, and the promise of a sustainable future. This project is a testament to human determination and self-reliance, bridging the past with the future and turning loss into renewal.
The project also develops community development, with other programs that expand education, and improve their health & wellness.
How can you help?
It’s a long way from Wyoming to a country that is almost impossible to spell. But God has allowed me the opportunity to help make a difference, and I know some of you will want to be part of the journey.
You are my friends and family, and most of all, I covet your prayers and support. Some of you are in a position where you would like to support the project financially. Regardless, it’s a great joy to have you follow along the journey.
By supporting this project, you’ll be investing in a mission to illuminate how the seeds of the past can cultivate a brighter future. I want to take your gifts and help plant them half a world away. Together, we can ensure that the work of Reclaim and the voices of Kazakhstan’s future are heard far and wide.
If you want to help with the project, you can do so here.
Thank you for considering being part of this journey. I’m looking forward to the power of renewal, one apple tree at a time
Here’s a short video with some of this same information, but with some goofball pitching it.
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