[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A mother’s dream of an ideal kindergarten comes true thanks to her passion and determination” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_class=”intro”][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Ayperi Boobekova says her journey to opening her own kindergarten began with a question:

[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”“Why?“” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1732914229147{margin-bottom: 35px !important;}” el_class=”intro”][vc_column_text css=””]Every day, she would drive her children to school, commuting from her village of Sokuluk to the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. During these long drives she began to wonder what it would take to create one like it close to home.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11693″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”padding”]This September, she opened her dream school, “Balasiti”, an innovative, child-centered kindergarten inspired by her passion for education and a desire to spark a love of learning among local children.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11692″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=”“At a young age, children form their first values and principles, so it’s important not only to develop their intellectual and physical abilities but also their emotional intelligence,”” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_class=”intro”][vc_column_text css=””]says Ayperi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”padding”]Ayperi and her husband were already running a hybrid co-working space with an after-school program among other courses. To create their dream kindergarten, they would need help. The WE CARE business incubation program gave them the guidance they needed to find the right direction for their business.

WE CARE aims to enhance access to quality development and education while fostering economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs through the establishment of early childhood development centers.

Participating in WE CARE gave Ayperi the springboard she needed to qualify for business training and mentorship through AKF’s Accelerate Prosperity accelerator program, which is designed to foster entrepreneurship and improve economic outcomes in rural communities.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]The program equipped her with the skills to run a private kindergarten, covering all aspects from legal requirements to parent engagement strategies.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”“We discussed various calculations and realized that our project had potential and needed to be scaled up. This is how the expansion of our mini kindergarten “Balasiti” began.”” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_class=”intro”][vc_column_text css=””]says Ayperi.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11691″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”padding”]It took time to find qualified educators, but she persisted. “As a new kindergarten, we couldn’t attract them with a high salary, but I think we managed to inspire them with our ideas,” she added.

The school now has 10 early childhood development specialists, including a chess master and speech therapist. Under Ayperi’s leadership, “Balasiti” has doubled enrolment to 40 children, which reflects the growing demand for quality preschool education in the region.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”11690″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=””]Looking ahead, Ayperi is considering establishing a fully-fledged school.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”“If we create a great space and educational environment for kids, it should be done with love and care for their well-being,”” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” el_class=”intro”][vc_column_text css=””]she said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”” el_class=”padding”]The success of Ayperi and “Balasiti” illustrates how organizations like AKF and USAID are fostering social entrepreneurship and enhancing access to education in rural communities.

For Ayperi, her dream-come-true preschool means a brighter future for dozens of local children and their families.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=””][vc_single_image image=”1371″ img_size=”small” alignment=”center” css=”” el_class=”padding”][vc_column_text css=””]

This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Aga Khan Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

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