2.09.2015   17:30

Among several other projects, "Erayim" is actively implementing the project on organization and operation of self-help groups in rural areas since 2005. The rural groups working under the approach of: "We will not be passive, we have to be proactive and the state will support us". Within this approach, the groups are implementing plans and working actively to improve the quality of life in the villages. One of the initiative groups is working in the Issyk-Kul region.

According to the district coordinator of Issyk-Kul region, Chynar Kydyralieva, there are seven active self-help groups in Baet village, four in Sary-Oi village, five in Ornok village, six in Kara-Oy village, three in Tamchy village, one in Toru- Aygyr village, two in Kashat village, one in Chon-Sary-Oy village, one in Chok-Tal village, one in Cholpon-Ata town and one in Bosteri village. All of these self-help groups created together a union called "Birimdik".

Birimdik is a network who is organizing meetings with the local population and discusses problematic issues of villages. Moreover they are providing trainings for women about concerns in villages, where they are developing working plans to address the issues. The union works on a self-financing basis, where every SHG pays a registration fee of 1000 soms, as well as a monthly fee of 200 soms. The collected money is used as a fund to give loans with an interest rate of 0.03%. 

In the villages Sary-Oi and Ornok, the union built on their own initiative, a sports hall and a kindergarten. Moreover villagers were provided with pure drinking water. Besides this, Birimdik held cultural events, which improves cultural life of the people. For example, they held events dedicated to the International Women's Day, New Year, Nooruz and Victory Day. Also they organized competitions dedicated to the holidays as "Super kelinchek", "Super kaynene", "Ulgulu Kocho", "Ulgulu ui" and so on.

Already a few seminars at a regional level were conducted to disseminate the experiences of the union to other districts as a good practice example.

Baktykan Azhymamatova