[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”7392″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_custom_heading text=”This story was published as part of our 2017 Annual Report. Read more stories from the report highlighting AKF’s contributions to the ladder of education here.” font_container=”tag:p|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fakfusa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017AnnualReport_Final2b.pdf|||”][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” full_height=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1568311728396{background-image: url(https://akfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/annualreporthead.jpg?id=7350) !important;}” el_class=”padding bkgd”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533609916265{padding-top: 40vh !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
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.
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”7402″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” el_class=”padding”][vc_column_text]
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?
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column][vc_row_inner equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”7604″ img_size=”full” alignment=”right” style=”vc_box_circle_2″ css=”.vc_custom_1568311523161{padding-top: 24px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”3/4″][vc_custom_heading text=”“There’s a Kyrgyz saying, ‘A child is like a bird. What they see in the nest, they’ll see in their later life.’”” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”intro”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1568312288917{padding-top: 10px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]
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.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Read more from the 2017 Annual Report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”intro”][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”3″ item=”5947″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1569338534928-23988fde-de01-8″ taxonomies=”5167″][vc_custom_heading text=”Download the full 2018 Annual Report” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” el_class=”intro” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fakfusa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F082319_-AKF-USA-Annual-Report-2019_Digital.pdf|title:Annual%20Report%20(PDF)|target:%20_blank|”][vc_column_text]
Read a letter from our CEO Aleem Walji and see our yearly financial reporting.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]