Humanitarian will return to Kyrgyzstan By Bill Freeman
News - Havelock - Brooke Wrightly will write a second chapter to her “amazing and rewarding” humanitarian adventure in the beautiful yet achingly poor country of Kyrgyzstan. Wrightly of Havelock will join up again with John and Julie Wright of Norwood and a team of selfless aid workers in Tokmok, the capital city of the former Soviet state. She will arrive September 15 for a threeweek stay working once again in baby orphanages and teaching English to youth and adults. She spent seven weeks last year in the troubled but strategically important central Asian country and called the experience “eye-opening” and “very different” from her work in Zambia as part of a World Vision mission. “It is a beautiful country completely surrounded by mountains,” Wrightly said at the 1st Havelock Scouts yard sale where she held a fund-raising raffle for her trip.
During her last journey Wrightly helped out in baby orphanages, some very large but two stand out; one called Bakut, with eight boys and girls and Day Springs with ten little girls.
“They think we’re Americans and that we’re all rich. I am trying to teach them a little bit about Canada.” “They were more like family homes with fewer kids and a family looking after them.” She visited two or three times a week to help feed, change and play with the children. Wrightly also taught English to children and adults in a learning centre and at the International University. “Everyone wants to learn about Canada,” she said, although they have to remind people that Canada and the United States are separate
countries. “They think we’re Americans and that we’re all rich. I am trying to teach them a little bit about Canada.” Wrightly has reflected on her experiences of working with people in need in Zambia and now Kyrgyzstan and speaks of the contrasts. “It really was different to the Africa trip. In Africa everybody was poor [but] I didn’t find a difference between men and women, everyone was equal. There is a huge difference between men and women in Kyrgyzstan especially the young coming out of the orphanages.” The mortality rate for youth coming out of the orphanages is very high, she says, because far too many have “no life skills and nowhere to go.” “Two very different experiences but both very rewarding.” The Wrights’ work with orphans, efforts to find sponsors to help children extend their schooling and building renovations is heroic and selfless, she says.
They don’t distinguish between faith groups. “If you need help they are there to help. I don’t consider myself a missionary; I’m a humanitarian and that is why I like to work with them.” Wrightly first met the Wrights at the Norwood Fair where they had a booth and learned more about their work. One current project is establishing transition houses for youth where they’d live for two years acquiring life and job skills “so they have a stake in the world instead of having to go into prostitution or crime to survive.” “Bride-napping” is common and Wrightly says she watched the Wrights save one young girl from that fate by finding sponsors to underwrite continued schooling in a nursing program at a baby orphanage. The tragedy is that thousands aren’t so lucky. “If you let it, it can be overwhelming, the need. You really have to stop and Brooke Wrightly of Havelock will make a second trip to Kyrgyzstan this month. It will be her first time [say to yourself] ‘I am help- travelling alone. The trip includes a 15-hour stop-over in Moscow where she is not allowed to leave ing the one in front of me.’” the airport. Photo: Bill Freeman
Time to tickle your funny bones with Yuk Yuk’s Entertainment - Campbellford Time to tickle your funny bone. Yuk Yuk’s On Tour is making a stop again this year at the Aron Theatre in Campbellford. “Join your friends at the Aron for an evening of laughs with three performers who promise to tickle your funny bone,” said Hazel Barber, marketing assistant with the Aron. The stand-up comedy show will feature Mark Walker, Adam Christie, and Shannon Laverty. “Each comedian brings their own personal flair for humour to the stage,” said Barber. “Mark is best known for his celebrity impressions, Adam can be seen across the nation hosting YTV’s hit game Mark Walker is best known for his celebrity impressions and will be one of show ZOINK’D, and Shannon delights the performers on Yuk Yuk’s On Tour at the Aron Theatre. Photo: Submitted audiences with her provocative performances.” Russ Christianson, president of the Aron Theatre Co-op explained, “This will be our third year of hosting a Yuk Yuk’s show.” “The shows are very popular and we expect it to sell out this year. I recommend getting tickets in advance to avoid disappointment,” he added.
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The Aron Theatre Co-operative wants to thank Scott Drummond Motors for sponsoring the Yuk Yuk’s show “so that we can all enjoy a night of comedy.” Tickets are available in advance for $15 and at the door for $17. Tickets can be purchased at the Aron Theatre, Grindhouse Café, Kerr’s Corner Books, and the Stinking Rose Pub in Campbellford, at Bridgewater Café & Pizza in Hastings, and at Eclectic Mix in Warkworth. “Please note that this is an adultsonly show,” said Barber. The show takes place on Thursday September 26. The Aron Theatre Co-op is a notfor-profit community organization. Its vision is to transform the Aron Theatre into a sustainable cultural hub, open to everyone in the community. The theatre has undergone several improvements in the last year including new seating, air conditioning and a state-of-the-art digital projector and sound system. Memberships are $20 for individuals Adam Christie can be seen across the nation hosting YTV’s hit game show and $40 for families. ZOINK’D and will be one of the performers on Yuk Yuk’s On Tour at the Aron For more information go to <http:// Theatre. Photo: Submitted arontheatre.com/>.
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Shannon Laverty delights audiences with her provocative performances and will be one of the three performers on Yuk Yuk’s On Tour at the Aron Theatre. Photo: Submitted