Playground for Disabled Children in Kyrgyzstan

     As a volunteer at Kelechek HealthProm, I would like to thank those of you that have supported us in this project. After spending time in Kyrgyzstan, I can tell you that infrastructure like this makes a world of difference for these children. Visiting different locations, I have been shocked by the differences in children's attitudes from orphanage to orphanage, observing that their development and well being relates directly to their environment. When the kids have an environment where they can engage their imaginations and play together rather than waiting for the next staff led activity, they develop leadership and teamwork skills that are so important to every child's development.

     I was particularly impressed with an orphanage just outside of Bishkek which had beautiful decorations and obstacles in the yard for the kids to play with, all made out of donated used tires. When we brought a simple game, played much like Bingo for the kids to play with, I saw a great amount of teamwork that I did not notice at other orphanages. One child, pictured above in the pink shirt, was always helping her friend who had down syndrome by checking if the number that was called was on his board. She had only one number left before she won, and when this number was called she was too busy looking at her friends board to realize that this number completed her card. All the children burst out laughing when someone pointed this out.

     The only difference between this orphanage and others was that the children had the resources to play together and use their imaginations. I am confident that the playgrounds you are helping us build will provide children in less equipped homes with the infrastructure they need to gain the same teamwork and leadership skills, making lives better for disabled citizens all throughout the region. Pictured below are the inclusive playgrounds we supported in this past year, including one in Karakol, and one at Kyrgyzstan's largest children's hospital in Bishkek. Soon, we hope that the children in Osh will have a similar place to play.

   Please spread the word about our effort to install this playground and help the over 3,000 children that visit the Osh facility every year. Thank you for your help. 

-Why playgrounds?

Thomas Jefferson stated, "Laws and Institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind". In order to change the way the Kyrgyz society treats disabled citizens, we must focus on "the human mind"; the way that people view children with disabilities. Disabled children are currently seen as a burden to society and a shame upon their family, but we hope that people will begin to see these children as beautiful and unique human beings who should have the same right to a prosperous life as anyone else.

At Kelechek, we feel that the best way to achieve this is by demonstrating to the Kyrgyz people that, just because a child is different, this does not mean that they can't become confident members of society. Our playgrounds bring disabled children together where they can interact and play just as normal children have for years. As parents watch their children gain the same social skills as children at other playgrounds, they will begin to appreciate the kids for who they are despite their disabilities. This has the potential to both improve these children's lifestyles, and encourage families to raise their disabled children rather that resorting to one of Kyrgyzstans orphanages.