In a heartwarming gesture aimed at fostering literacy and education among Kyrgyzstani children, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently donated an impressive 68,680 children's books to 83 public libraries across the country. This significant contribution was formally handed over during a ceremony held in Cholpon-Ata, attended by key dignitaries and representatives of USAID.
The handover ceremony was attended by the presence of Muktaly Bektenaliev, Advisor to the Minister of Culture, Information, Sports, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Saule Khamzina, head of the USAID Okuu Keremet project. The event marked a remarkable step forward in the promotion of literacy and the democratization of knowledge in Kyrgyzstan.
This philanthropic endeavor coincided with the XXI International Conference Issyk-Kul — 2023: Libraries and Democratization of Society, a significant event dedicated to commemorating the 95th anniversary of the renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov. The conference was organized by the Kasymaly Bayalinov Republican Library for Children and Youth.
The newly donated books are the culmination of collaborative efforts involving 80 local authors and 35 illustrators, all of whom worked diligently under the auspices of USAID's Okuu Keremet project. Together, they produced an impressive collection of approximately 1,500 children's books, spanning various genres. These books carry messages that promote core values such as family, friendship, respect, curiosity, and creativity, instilling important life lessons in young readers.
Furthermore, electronic versions of these books, including 40 that have been translated into sign language, are now accessible on the Ministry of Education and Science's website and the international digital Bloom Library, ensuring widespread availability to Kyrgyzstani children.
In a promising projection, USAID's Okuu Keremet project aims to provide more than 1.5 mn children's books to at least 1,681 target schools by the end of 2024. This initiative aligns with the project's broader goal of enhancing reading and math learning outcomes for over 450,000 elementary school students. The project is being implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and extends its reach to encompass approximately 75% of the country's schools.
This generous donation by USAID underscores the agency's commitment to advancing education and literacy in Kyrgyzstan, empowering young minds with the tools to build a brighter future. It represents a tangible step towards nurturing a new generation of readers and thinkers who will contribute to the progress and development of Kyrgyzstan.
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