2016 Annual Report
MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR Dear Friends and Partners, I am pleased to present this annual report of the United States Peace Corps 2016 activities in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Kyrgyz Republic has been a welcoming home to 24 years of Peace Corps Volunteers. Today, over 70 Volunteers work side by side with local counterparts across the country to strengthen community and human development through teacher training and youth development activities as well as promoting the Peace Corps’ mission of world peace and friendship. Aligned with the priorities of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Peace Corps implemented three core projects and one cross-cutting project in 2016: Teaching English as a Foreign Language; Sustainable Community Development; Health Education; and Community Development through Small Grants. As we look back over last year we are grateful to the state partners at the national, oblast and local levels, including the Ministry of Education and Science, the State Agency for Youth Affairs, Physical Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are also thankful to the counterparts who work closely with Volunteers and the host families who care so well for our Volunteers. You will learn about our shared accomplishments of the last year and Volunteers’ commitment to service in this report. As Peace Corps Volunteers work in partnership with universities, schools, host agencies, and their Kyrgyz counterparts, this annual report demonstrates how that cooperation advances the Ministries’ national goals. As Peace Corps marks its 25th year in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2017, we plan to celebrate this milestone with a series of events celebrating achievements of Kyrgyz youth and young adults throughout the country, encouraging volunteerism, inclusion and participation in building strong communities. All of us associated with the Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic are proud to share in the success of this beautiful country, its rich culture, and its aspirations to build a better future for all of its citizens. Respectfully,
Robert D. Glover
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Global Overview of Peace Corps Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic Volunteers Today Teaching English as a foreign Language (TEFL) Sustainable Community Development (SCD) Health Education (HE) Small Grants for Community Development
3 5 7 10 16 20 23
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Global Overview of Peace Corps The Peace Corps is an independent non-political and non-religious U.S. Government agency that provides Volunteers to countries requesting assistance around the world. The agency traces its roots and mission to 1960, when Senator John. F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries. Thus, in 1961, President John F. Kennedy oďŹƒcially established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship, and that mission has not changed. 1.) Helping people of interested countries in meeting their needs for trained men and women.
2.) Helping to promote a better understanding of American people on the part of the peoples served.
3.) Helping to promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of American people.
Eastern Europe & Central Asia
The Caribbean
Central America & Mexico
North Africa & The Middle East
Africa South America 3
Asia
The PaciďŹ c Islands
Peace Corps Volunteers around the world are committed to grassroots development by working and living hand-in-hand with local people of countries they serve. They work as teachers, business advisors, youth development specialists, information and technology consultants, health and HIV/AIDS educators and agriculture and environment workers for two years. They are committed to learning from their host families and partners and integrating themselves into the culture of the country where they serve as well as participating in community designed development and service projects. All Volunteers serve at the invitation of the host country government and work in partnership with a host agency. Funding for the Peace Corps programs around the world is allocated by the United States Congress and comes from the taxes paid by individual American citizens.
To Be a Volunteer Volunteers agree to serve for 27 months, which includes an average of three months of in-country training and 24 months of Volunteer service. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to community service, leadership experience, and a willingness to learn a new language. Volunteers receive a living allowance that covers housing, food, and incidentals, enabling them to live in a manner similar to the people in their local communities. Volunteers must successfully complete a rigorous training program that includes learning technical skills, the local culture, and the language that is most appropriate for their site.
Peace Corps Facts Around the Globe
7,213 ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS
29%
38% 62%
28
MINORITIES
AVERAGE AGE
95%
5%
SINGLE
MARRIED
7%
OVER THE AGE OF 50
65
ACTIVE HOST COUNTRIES
Peace Corps In The
Kyrgyz Republic It has been 24 years since the United States Peace Corps opened in the Kyrgyz Republic in 1993 with an official country agreement signed between the governments of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States of America. Since that time, more than 1,100 Peace Corps Volunteers have helped over 100,000 people learn English, develop management and leadership skills, engage in community projects and build healthy lifestyles. The government-togovernment agreement establishes the principal worksites of Volunteers as secondary schools, higher academic institutions, municipal and nongovernmental, health, community organizations, and small and medium-size business organizations. The generations of Volunteers that have served the country have also carried out successful projects in teacher training and youth development. These Volunteers helped strengthen community participation by teaching teachers advanced teaching methods and promoting critical thinking, leadership, project planning and implementation, gender education, computers and Internet technology. Volunteers work closely with their local counterparts.
Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic has three core projects and a cross cutting project on small grants: • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) • Sustainable Community Development (SCD) • Health Education (HE) • Small Grants for Community Development An important theme that underlies many of our programs is a focus on developing youth. Most Volunteers participate in summer and winter camps and teach young people about life skills, including critical thinking and how to apply to university. At the current stage, Peace Corps in the Kyrgyz Republic is merging the strongest areas of the Sustainable Community Development and Health Education programs to better support youth in its Community Youth Development program.
The Peace Corps uses the term development on human, people-to-people terms: helping people develop the ability to improve their own lives. By working within a human capacity-building framework, volunteers focus on developing people and not things.
73
39 34
ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS
AGE
PROJECTS 30-39 years old
53
14% 5% 78%
3%
40-65 years old
65 and older 20-29 years old
10 Teaching English as a Foreign language
10 Sustainable Community Development Health Education
A group of Volunteers, arrived in Kyrgyz Republic in 2016 during the Swearing Ceremony 6
Volunteers Today Peace Corps Volunteers presently work in 37 villages, 10 rayon centers, and 8 major towns in six Oblasts: Talas, Chui, Issyk-Kul, Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Naryn. By working in both rural and urban communities, the Peace Corps is able to maximize its potential in the country with a limited amount of human and ďŹ nancial resources. Upon arrival to Kyrgyzstan, all volunteers receive technical training and language learning, Kyrgyz or Russian according to where they will be assigned, and study Kyrgyz culture. By living with local host families Volunteers learn to integrate themselves into their communities. Through this close relationship, volunteers gain valuable cultural and language skills, and host families receive a new son or a daughter eager to share their own culture and traditions.
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Location Of Volunteers Talas (14) HE 2 | SCD 1 | TEFL 11
Chui (12) HE 1 | SCD 3 | TEFL 8
Jalalabad (9) HE 3 | SCD 2 | TEFL 4
Issuk-Kul (19) HE 2 | SCD 3 | TEFL 14
Naryn (11) HE 2 | SCD 0 | TEFL 9 Osh (8) HE 1 | SCD 1 | TEFL 6
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Peace Corps at World Nomad Games: 18 Peace Corps Volunteers
participated in the 2016 World Nomad Games representing USA in the three strategy games: Mangala, Toguz Korgool, and Ordo. Peace Corps Volunteers were able to win in two strategy board games even winning a bronze medal. However, in the end, it was the Central Asian teams that took the victory in the diďŹƒcult game of Ordo. The World Nomad Games not only served as a unique cultural event, volunteers were also able to meet new people and build lasting friendships beyond the games.
TEFL
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Peace Corps Volunteers work as teachers and teacher-trainers to strengthen methodologies and to promote the exchange of information on effective teaching methods.
As a key partner with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic Peace Corps’ Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) project aims to increase the professional, academic and personal opportunities of the teachers, students, and community members through improved English language skills teaching, and learning methods. Through team-teaching English in secondary schools and universities Peace Corps Volunteers build the capacity of English teachers. TEFL Volunteers provide assistance to their schools and communities in establishing or expanding English teaching resources, contributing to curriculum development, and production of innovative teaching materials. They serve as regular members of the teaching faculty in their schools and teach about 150–200 students each year.The Volunteers are also involved in extracurricular activities such as conducting English clubs, computer training, and youth development. Since inception in 1993, more than 600 TEFL Volunteers have served as teachers at 200 secondary schools and 15 universities. In 2016, 70 TEFL Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) have successfully worked with 83 local English teachers. Currently, there are 53 TEFL PCVs working in six oblasts with nine working in the pedagogical departments of the universities and specialized lyceums and 42 are assigned to remote rural secondary schools.
Goal 1 Capacity building for teachers through team-teaching, teacher trainings and resource development.
Goal 2 Improve English fluency, critical thinking, and life skills through both formal and informal learning among University and high school students.
Goal 3 Strengthen networks and outreach activities of communities with schools, parents, students, local government and NGOs.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Teachers’ capacity developed through team-teaching, teacher trainings and resource development
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99% of local English teachers working with Peace Corps Volun teers reported about their improved knowledge, skills and attitude as professional teachers as a result of team-teaching with PCVs. Counterparts affirmed how they greatly value the work of TEFL PCVs (Source: April 2016, Peace Corps Counter part survey results).
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531 teachers improved their teaching skills and methodology knowledge as a result of teacher trainings provided by 25 TEFL PCVs through clubs, trainings, workshops, and summer camps.
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With support of TEFL Volunteers 34 English teachers applied for exchange programs. Two of them received scholarships and attended a three-month professional development training program in USA.
• Accessing small grants, volunteers assisted their schools to establish 16 resource centers -- supplied with supplemental student and teacher resource materials, dictionaries, story books, white boards, and memory sticks. All projects included additional technical training and guides for how to best use these resources.
• English fluency, critical thinking, and life skills of university and high school students improved through both formal and informal learning
Communities strengthened networks and outreach activities with schools, parents, students, local government and NGOs.
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More than 10,000 students from secondary schools and universities attended English classes co-taught by TEFL volunteers, as native English teachers with their Kyrgyzstani – CPs in 2016. More than 3,000 students demonstrated improved language and critical thinking skills based on the Volunteers’ reports. Inspired by Volunteers and Co-teachers 495 students participated in English language contests, such as district and oblast level Olympiads, FLEX program, etc.
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A daycare center opened and a kindergarten improved with the support of two TEFL PCVs and counterparts:
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A Day Care Center for the kids of the students and teachers opened at Karakol Pedagogical College thanks to the efforts of Peace Corps Volunteer’s support of her Counterpart. This provides young mother-students the opportunity to attend classes and finish college thanks to the Day Care Center.
o
The quality and capacity of the village kindergarten in Kyzyl-Tuu village of Naryn oblast was improved, which leads to increase of the educational skills of children.
530 students throughout the country improved their leadership, healthy lifestyle, and critical thinking skills as a result of 10 youth development camps in English organized by 11 TEFL PCVs with Counterparts. 11
TEFL Success Story
Baarkul Soltalieva, English Teacher in Kochkor, Naryn:
Building Teacher & Student Capacity In English Language Kyrgyz Republic recognizes the importance of English language for a country’s successful participation in the global economy, creating and sustaining international links as well as for individual’s access to crucial knowledge, skills and employment opportunities. Peace Corps Kyrgyz Republic supports the country in improving the population’s access to English language learning and teaching methods. Working with Peace Corps Volunteers since 2007 Baarkul Soltalieva, a teacher of English in Kochkor village has achieved significant professional success. Now she works not only as a teacher of English, but also as a trainer on innovative teaching methods and shares her knowledge and experience at district and oblast level seminars. Together with Peace Corps Volunteer DeAnna Heindel, she supports other English teachers in improving their teaching capacities through conducting seminars at the Teacher Training Center of Naryn State University. Baarkul was honored with the title of the “Teacher of the First Category” by the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyz Republic in October 2016. Her goal is to teach English effectively to as many students as possible by improving the capacities of other teachers throughout Naryn. This is the example of how Peace Corps’ work improves teacher capacity and supports English language learners in Kyrgyzstan. “My professional progress was possible thanks to three Peace Corps Volunteers. First of all, I improved my own English language skills, specifically reading comprehension of complex scientific texts. I learned to develop efficient student-centered curricula and apply interactive and innovative teaching methods in practice. For instance, to improve speaking and listening comprehension of students, I use audio texts, dialogues, and video resources, as well as live news and internet resources. I have adopted interactive teaching by using various innovative methods, role plays, and interactive discussions. As a result of collaboration with Peace Corps, I have improved my time-management, daily planning, and analytical skills, as well as learned about foreign cultures.” 12
Baarkul says that besides improving her own English teaching, she managed to help her school and village. “Together with Peace Corps Volunteers, we implemented several projects though Peace Corps’ Small Grants Program. We equipped and furnished the English Resource Center and English language room, provided the students of 5th to 11th grades with modern English language resource materials, organized summer camps aimed at improving the knowledge of schoolchildren in a favorable holiday atmosphere. We also won another grant to support the local dancing group with costumes.” “It is amazing to observe how the time I devote to my students pays off. I am so proud to see their progress when applying their English knowledge and skills to be successful in the future. And I am happy to share my skills and experience with other teachers. With much confidence I can state that our school became one of the exemplary schools in Naryn oblast, especially from the TEFL perspective. Live and learn,” --Baarkul.
Baarkul and DeAnna succeeded to receive a grant, which supplied the school with modern resource materials and covered the methodology trainings for English teachers.
TEFL Success Story
Ulukbek Kaliiasov: A Secondary School Student From At-bashi, Naryn Oblast
Ulukbek notes that a Peace Corps Volunteer Christos played a special role in achieving his goal and becoming a FLEX participant. At-Bashi 2016. Ulukbek Kaliiasov’s dream came true in August 2016 - he was enrolled in the FLEX student exchange program and currently lives and studies at Winfield High School, Kansas, USA. Ulukbek says that this is the first big achievement of his life and he is not going to stop with just this. Now, he aims to enter a good university, get excellent education, become a high level professional and serve the people of Kyrgyzstan. “It was a typical summer day. My sisters from Bishkek were guesting at our parents. I was helping my mother around the garden, when my sister jumped out and started to congratulate me for being accepted to the FLEX program. The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program is a high school student exchange program, supported by the U.S. State Department, which sends students to US high schools for one year. In the beginning, I could not believe it, I can say I was shocked. Then, I was really happy that I achieved my goal or even my dream,” --Ulukbek. 13
Ulukbek, tell us how did you become a participant of the student exchange program to USA? FLEX scholar? Every year dozens of high school students from Kyrgyzstan get the opportunity to spend an academic year in the US, live in an ordinary American family, to really get acquainted with the life and culture of the United States. To be enrolled into the program, a student needs to participate and succeed through 3 rounds of competition. I am one of the lucky finalists of 2016. My sister told me about this program a few years ago. At that time I was skeptical about my chances and was afraid to leave the country, as I did not realize that studying and living in the United States could provide good opportunities for personal growth and new knowledge. Yet, in the ninth grade, I decided to take part, but did not succeed. In the tenth grade, I set a goal -- to study to the United States and began to prepare. My English
teacher supported me in achieving this goal, and of course a special role belongs to the Peace Corps Volunteer Christos, who works in our village. Christos helped me not only learn the language better, but also taught me such skills as critical thinking, goal setting and time management. Christos lived in our house and we had agreed that I would teach him Kyrgyz, and he would teach me English. Despite the fact that we lived under the same roof, we did not have much time for extra classes, as Christos, in addition to teaching in the school, led language clubs and implemented community development projects in the village. And I, besides attending the school, worked in a store. Occasionally, I attended Chistos’ language club, which welcomed all those who wished to improve their English. By combining school, helping parents around the house, in the shop, and learning English, I learned to more effectively manage my time and was able to
meet all the requirements to become a Flex scholar. Please, tell about the school life and challenges you faced Since September, 2016 I have been attending Winfield High School in Kansas. As school had already started, I had to catch up with my classmates. Initially, I had difficulties with the language and classes. I always took a dictionary with me, but was able to integrate quickly. After two months of catching up, I no longer experience difficulties with English. Every day I have classes from 8 am to 3.30 pm, including two hours for supplemental classwork. Then, at home in the evening I must also work on my homework and have extracurricular activities like sports. Throughout the day we are all busy with our classes and only have time to chat with friends during lunch. After school I spend some time in the gym. Our school organizes seasonal tournaments in basketball, football and other
Ulukbek at home with his family and Peace Corps Volunteer in the Kyrgyz Republic. 14
sports. I am really enjoying these sports and spending time with my new American friends at school. What is the most important knowledge or skill that you received during your studies at an American school? I am learning a lot in the US, but perhaps the most important achievement is of a personal nature. I have become less shy, and have learned to express my opinions and ideas better. Before, I used to refrain from speaking out, even when I had great ideas. Since arriving in the USA, I have gained conďŹ dence in myself and am now setting important goals for my future, in which I truly believe may be possible. Further, I am becoming more independent, feel more comfortable being alone, and have conďŹ dence in my decisions. In addition to school
activities, I am active in various projects with other exchange students. I recently wrote a project paper about the main doctor of our city, and previously about German culture. Such projects truly help me develop my writing skills. Now I am completing applications and preparing for University admission exams. Successful candidates will receive a full FLEX scholarship. And all this preparation I am doing myself. I am also very lucky with my host family in Kansas. They are very nice and friendly people. My American mother's name is Carla, and my father’s is Robert. We spend a lot of time together especially during the recent holidays traveling around the United States. Each week my host family supports me a lot. I am also very lucky to achieve my
goals while learning to rely on myself.
Ulukbek with his American host family. Kansas, USA, 2017.
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SCD
Sustainable Community Development
SCD volunteers work with community members to promote social and economic development at the grassroots level.
Volunteers in the Sustainable Community Development project work with community organizations, small social businesses and a wide range of youth initiatives. They contribute to the promotion of social and economic development at the grassroots level. The project strengthens cooperation between local community members and organizations that enables them to more eectively plan and implement community, social and economic development projects to improve the quality of life within their community. In 2016, 15 SCD volunteers worked to support more than 35 community organizations to improve organizational and resource management, and teaching employability and professional skills to more than 1,500 secondary school and university students.
Goal 1 Assist social entrepreneurs and youth through the improvement of small business management and entrepreneurship skills. 16
Goal 2 Assist organizations through the improvement of organizational development and resource management.
Goal 3 Support youth in increasing their capacity to manage resources, livelihoods, and professional development for their local job market.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Around 25 local business organizations improved their financial management, internal management, product and service development, customer service and marketing activities with the support of 12 Peace Corps Volunteers
Capacities of the local business entities have been improved
Capacities of the community organizations have been improved
o Rural Women Entrepreneurship trainings have been conducted to help women start their own income generating activities. Epkin village, Chui region. 2016 o A Baking for a Better Future program was developed by PCV in Karakol. The survivors of domestic abuse were provided financial literacy and baking trainings of unique goods, like cupcakes, banana bread, brownies. The project supports these women who sell their baked goods daily to stores and cafes. Around 50 community organizations improved their governance, internal management, and organizational sustainability with the support of 14 PCVs. To improve strategic planning and expand staff capacity Volunteers provided technical assistance for their organizations utilizing organizational diagnostics tool kits that enabled them to apply for grants. 12 local organizations improved their multi-year fundraising strategy including revenue streams and grant support with the assistance of 9 PCVs. 75 young people improved their entrepreneurship skills as a result of business camps, trainings and one-on-one mentoring provided by Volunteers. 1850 local students benefited from the club activities in entrepreneurship, grant writing, business English, critical thinking, volunteerism, essay and resume writing, interviewing, leadership, conflict management and goal setting organized by PCVs.
Entrepreneurship and professional skills of young people have been improved
395 improved decision making and problem solving skills. oOne of the notable projects is the Osh Caravan of Knowledge. One volunteer traveled across 6 oblasts providing training in employability and leadership reaching nearly 800 participants. There were great improvements in the students evident in their skills post test scores, 50% higher than pre test scores. oA Business Camp for high school students was organized by SCD PCV together with his partner community organization. These young participants working together developed practical business plans ranging from an ice-cream stand to a roller derby rink. They also assisted participants in finding investors to cover startup costs. 17
SCD Success Story
Fat Cat Karakol
A Social Entrepreneurship Project In Karakol City In summer 2016, Jamilya Sydygalieva opened the Fat Cat Karakol cafe with the help of Peace Corps Volunteer Alex Simmons. Today Jamilia is a social entrepreneur who uses the profits from the café for important social projects that assists homelessness, support for low income families, and survivors of domestic abuse. Working with her Peace Corps Volunteer Jamiliya identified several serious concerns in her community: that many underprivileged people go without attention and struggle to survive; and that many children are forced out of school at an early age because their families can't afford school supplies. In order to address such concerns, Alex and Jamilya worked on launching a social entrepreneurship that focuses on selling international food unavailable in the region and performing services for those in need in the community. Over 10 months they developed a successful business plan, raised funds through Indiegogo, and soon successfully opened the café. Since August Fat Cat Karakol Café is doing very well. Business has been steady and Jamilya has already made significant contributions to the community, especially for school age children. Fat Cat Karakol is a social entrepreneurship project in Karakol city. The cafe offers international dishes such as tacos, chicken pot pie, and cheesecake that are not available in the community. More importantly, Jamilya uses the profits from the cafe as an engine for a variety of social projects focusing on addressing homelessness, low income families, and survivors of bride kidnapping and domestic abuse. Together with Peace Corps Volunteers, Jamilya is in women empowerment activities such as business trainings conducted for rural women. Topics include ways of income generation, how to start and manage their own business, as well as offer baking classes.
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Looking ahead, Jamilya wants to inspire other businesses and individuals to join her in serving the underprivileged. In the short-term, beneficiaries are receiving direct benefits and those who donate are enjoying the act of improving another's life. In the long-term, this idea could manifest itself into the community and they could see an increasing trend of people taking care of each other. When visitors come to Fat Cat Karakol they are often inspired by the vision to assist the underprivileged. Many local people have expressed a shared desire. Way to go, Jamilya! We need more people like you in the world!
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HE
Health Education
Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in a Peace Corps initiatives to teach life skills to teachers, students and local youth. They organize camps for children, work at schools, youth centers and with community groups to provide trainings and build awareness of health issues.
Since 2007 Peace Corps has partnered with the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic to assist in providing health education at the village level. Health Education Volunteers have focused on building the capacities of local health workers and community leaders in priority programs such as child health and wellness, reproductive health, prevention of cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis prevention and HIV/AIDS awareness. Peace Corps Health Education Volunteers work with a wide variety of organizations throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. Some Volunteers work at the regional or grassroots level in health promotion units in towns or villages. Others work in health institutions, local health-promotion schools, or other health-focused community-based organizations. All the activities implemented by volunteers with their counterparts correspond to the Ministry’s Health Education Framework and leading towards long-term, sustainable development and strengthening health information and services. In 2016, there were 19 Health Education PCVs working with their counterparts in Village Health Committees, Health Promotion Units, local schools and health NGOs. PCVs conducted needs assessments and initiated activities aimed at improving organizational development and sta capacity building. With their counterparts Volunteers assist to increase the awareness of healthy lifestyles by building capacity of health professionals and educators. Together they work to improve access to health information develop community awareness programs, and establish preventive health practices. Goal 1 Community members will improve access to clean water and sanitation with the aim of reducing hepatitis A and diarrheal diseases and improve environmental health.
Goal 2 Community members will adopt behaviors shown to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases.
Goal 3 Community members will increase the knowledge about healthy choices and decrease the spread of HIV by reducing risky sexual behaviors.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Community members improved their knowledge on hygiene and sanitation, as well as access to clean water and sanitation
Community members adopted behaviors shown to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases
The knowledge of community members about the healthy choices have been increased
459 school children and community members beneďŹ ted from training and workshops, and water and sanitation promotion activities conducted by Volunteers and their counterparts 54 schools reached with trainings to incorporate water, sanitation and hygiene activities into lessons
3,905 community members beneďŹ ted from the trainings, workshops, mentoring, and community campaigns focused on reducing risk factors for non-communicable diseases supported by 18 Volunteers and their counterparts. 173 previousely inacitve individuals now report being physically active with the support of 7 PCVs
900 school children and community members obtained knowledge on making better choices, preventing teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and alcohol and substance abuse through workshops, summer camps, one-on-one mentoring, and sports clubs, organized by 17 Volunteers and their counterparts.
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Health Education Success Story
Better Access to Health Education in Kara-Koo Village A village doctor Janyl with support from Peace Corps Volunteer Theresa opened a health resource room in the Kora-Koo village. Together they have been providing health education and awareness raising trainings to community members on such topics, as pertinent health knowledge, anemia, infant nutrition, childhood milestones, and handwashing.
Kara-Koo, the administrative center of Ak-Terek rural county in Ton district of Issyk-Kul oblast is a beautiful village surrounded by mountains with a population of over 2000 people. It is located 160 km from Karakol town. Theresa Tauer, a Peace Corps Volunteers works in the local clinic - Family Group Practice of Kara-Koo. The clinic serves the rural country, which comprises Kara-Koo village and six surrounding small villages. Theresa’s goal is to support the local doctors in their efforts to raise awareness of community members on hygiene and sanitation, healthy choices and behaviors shown to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. Dr. Janyl identified a need for resource center, where health education activities and trainings could be provided for the local communities. One of the main concerns focused on the need for nutrition awareness for pregnant women and new mothers. Anemia is an easily preventable disease in Kyrgyzstan, yet is often widespread in rural areas, such as this community. The proper knowledge on maternal nutrition is essential mportant in addressing anemia and generally for the health and reproductive performance of women and the health, survival, and development of their children. Theresa supported Dr. Janyl’s initiative and together they won a grant from Peace Corps for the creation of the resource center in the clinic and conducting Health Education sessions. The room was renovated, wired, furnished, equipped with TV and couches, and filled with resource materials.
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Now the resource center is functioning and bringing benefits to the community where Dr. Janyl and Theresa provide Health Education and awareness raising sessions. Recently they conducted one-day trainings to new mothers on health topics such as childhood milestones, nutrition, and hand washing. Pregnant women are provided training on pertinent health knowledge, including nutrition and the dangers of anemia and its prevention. Now, the healthy initiatives are not limited to trainings and sessions in Kara-Koo village, healthy life habits are also in place with yoga and aerobics classes provided by Theresa four times a week. “I am happy that I can be of more use to my community and can contribute to women’s well-being and as a result to the whole community’s well-being. And we are thankful to the Peace Corps Volunteer, Theresa, for her efforts and support. Her name coincides with her personality and spirit – we have a mother Theresa in our village. Personally, thanks to cooperation with her, I became more confident and able to share health knowledge with others. I learned to present information in more interactive ways and get women interested in health related knowledge, which prevents and helps us deal more effectively with many local health problems, ” ---Dr. Janyl.
Small Grants for Community Development With local counterparts Peace Corps Volunteers assist communities to achieve their development goals with emphasis on capacity building and sustainability. Projects include topics in areas such as: health, life skills, education, art, and leadership. 41 small grants were successfully implemented by PCVs in cooperation with the local counterparts in 2016. The Peace Corps Small Grants Project aims to facilitate community led development that builds capacity and contributes to sustainable development in communities where Volunteers serve. Since 1995 more than 500 community led projects have been supported where Volunteers provide technical assistance and cross cultural exchange with community counterparts. Small grants support teacher training, school and community resource centers, employability, summer camps, healthy lifestyles, trainings for the trainers, youth leadership, and sports events. The Peace Corps Small Grants for Community Development includes Small Project Assistance (SPA), and Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP). Although each has dierent funding sources they share the same goal to facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable grassroots development building local capacity in communities where Volunteers serve.
Small Grants Success Story
Bicycles for Mobility
These bikes were custom built for people living with disabilities as a means of inclusion into society.
Supported by Volunteers John Blanchard and later, John Wilkinson, “Child’s Dream,” a local community center, was awarded a small grant to support the production of mobility equipment – modified bicycles -- for disabled youth and that would improve their social inclusion. While the community center had several youth and health-oriented programs, they noticed low participation rates by disabled youth. The project team coordinated with a local manufacturer Navat Mamakeev who was willing to produce the bicycles but who lacked much needed specialized equipment. Grant funds were used for specialized training, the purchase of specialized tools, and bike parts enabling the local manufacturer to move ahead the design of three types of three-wheeled bicycles. These designs meet the range of needs for disabled children—from body balance issues, limited leg function, and other disabilities. The community contribution included rent and preparation of the manufacturing space and basic manufacturing equipment. After the first round of prototypes, a total of 10 bikes were assembled and distributed to disabled youth.
The mobility bikes enable fuller integration of these children into the community and allow them to more easily connect to the wider world. At the opening ceremony, one parent remarked, “It is not only about our children’s health! Our children gain pride and self-respect in making connections to our community.” The implementing organization “Child’s Dream” hopes to continue the project in a myriad of ways, including expanding production to include adult mobility bikes. “Our bicycles project has attracted a lot of attention and interest from other regions and we are now receiving requests for cooperation from across the country. We are happy to share our experience and help interested organizations in providing means for inclusion for the disabled into the society,” said the head of “Child’s Dream,” ---Tamara Balkibekova.
Small Grants Success Story
Lead! Chui Youth Leadership Forum 2016 Peace Corps Volunteer Toby Cox organized a summer leadership camp through Peace Corps’ Small Grants Program. The camp was designed to empower the youth of Chui Oblast to become stronger leaders in their communities, plan for their future, and inspire other youth to become leaders. The week long camp took place at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) which allowed participants to attend sessions throughout the day and spent the night at AUCA’s dormitory. Participants discussed topics such as gender equality, human rights, healthy relationships, family planning, HIV transmission, nutrition, fitness, technology, and volunteerism. At the end of the camp, participants were also required to complete a community service project by volunteering with an organization in Bishkek for the day. This is just one of the many projects implemented through Peace Corps’ Small Grants Program.
Most Volunteers organize summer and winter camps and teach young people about life skills, including critical thinking and how to apply to university.
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