Baby Sara

One fall afternoon, five women in the playroom of the new kindergarten in the Kyrgyz Republic talked about the changes they saw with the kindergarten and its importance. 

Several had two children, and one had a grandchild in the kindergarten. Before, when September ended and the kindergarten got too cold to use, it was difficult— the children stayed home and became restless.

Nap Room Naryn Kindergarten

Since April 2017, the renovation has been a success. Each of the women noted something different as a favorite part: the renovated nap room with new sturdy wood beds, the new windows, the warm floor, the heating system, and the working toilets.

With the working group of the Social Cohesion project, the parents had offered their views in the public hearing. Sagyn Turganova, the kindergarten’s director, has worked there for 9 years. She has sent many applications for support like this before, but this was the first that succeeded.

Of all their pressing needs—including a vital need for secure, clean water— why did they choose a kindergarten as their top priority?

Sagyn, a kindergarten director, in the Kyrgyz Republic

“There’s a Kyrgyz saying, ‘A child is like a bird. What they see in the nest, they’ll see in their later life.’”

Ms. Turganova answered: “There’s a Kyrgyz saying, ‘A child is like a bird. What they see in the nest, they’ll see in their later life.’” In other words, if you give them a healthy, stimulating space at the start, they’ll grow into many opportunities. “If a child starts in a clean environment, it leads to a bright future.”

She added that the kindergarten provides nutritional supplements—a few families have kids there who don’t get much food at home. Here they can have a nutritious juice and a warm meal. On behalf of all the parents, they thanked people like you who support them through AKDN.

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