published: 04 June 2014
Five new playgrounds opened in various neighborhoods of Balykchi on International Children’s Day – a result of youth initiatives under the Issyk-Kul Youth Banks Project. It will be recalled that the Project is implemented by Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) and supported by Kumtor Company.
“We have received letters from a group of young people asking us for assistance in building children’s playgrounds. It’s very important for children to have safe places to play,” says Tilek Omurbekov, a member of the Balykchi branch of the Youth Bank Project. Approximately, $2,500 was contributed for the construction of each playground. Contributing were also local residents who built fences for the playgrounds using their own resources.
“We see an excellent result: five playgrounds opened on the same day. Events like this have not been witnessed in Balykchi in the past twenty years. Hopefully, the Issyk-Kul Youth Banks Project will continue its fruitful efforts,” said Kubatbek Musayev, the acting Mayor of Balykchi.
EFCA Executive Director Dinara Musabekova said she hoped that the local residents would continue to take active part in the solution of problems faced by their city. “We see joyous eyes of both the parents and children. There is nothing more important than children in this life! We are really happy that we had an opportunity to organize what is seen as a festival by the local children through Kumtor’s support,” Musabekova said.
“Youth Banks” includes a number of volunteer groups actively contributing to their native communities. Previously, similar groups were formed in six communities, including Balykchi, Karakol, Bokonbayevo, Tamga, Kyzyl-Suu and Tiup. They consider requests from young people and provide support for the most promising projects designed to give a boost to the development of local communities.