The Director of Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic visited community development projects in Toktogul Di
On 12–13 March 2026, the Director of Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic Cho Soonhyoung conducted a working visit to the villages of Bel-Aldy, Uch-Terek, and Kotormo in Toktogul District to review the results of implemented projects and ongoing initiatives aimed at community development.
During the visit, a meeting was held with the First Deputy Akim of Toktogul District, Asanov Askat Tashtemirovich. The parties discussed the results of joint work over the past year, prospects for further cooperation, and the sustainability of projects implemented through co-funding with the participation of local communities and local self-government bodies.
At Secondary School No. 30 named after K. Toktoraliev in Uch-Terek village, the Director reviewed the kitchen equipment installed under the “Healthy Nutrition” project, aimed at improving school feeding conditions and sanitation infrastructure. Attention was also given to the Girls Friendly Toilets project, which is currently nearing completion.
In Bel-Aldy village, the Director visited Mukash Zhamgyrkanov School, where an IT classroom was established and interactive boards were installed through a co-funded project. During the visit, students demonstrated how they use digital equipment in their daily learning process. The introduction of modern technologies contributes to the development of students’ digital skills and expands their educational opportunities.
In Kotormo village, the Director visited a kindergarten established through the joint efforts of the Abdy Suerkulov Aiyl Okmotu and Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic. During the visit, issues related to the sustainability and further development of early childhood education services were discussed.
Overall, the visit confirmed the positive impact of projects implemented with active participation of local communities and highlighted the importance of partnership between residents, local self-government bodies, and Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic for sustainable regional development.
On August 28, in Bishkek, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic held a practical workshop on WASH standards for schools.
The key highlight of the event was the presentation of a practical handbook on implementing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene standards in educational institutions to school principals.
What does the WASH framework in schools include?
🔹 Access to safe drinking water and quality sanitation facilities.
🔹 Convenient handwashing stations and adherence to food hygiene rules.
🔹 Creating an inclusive, accessible, and comfortable environment for all children, including children with disabilities.
During the workshop, representatives of schools participating in the school feeding project discussed the work of school health committees and methods for developing healthy habits among students.
📍 What's next? Later this week, a similar workshop will be held in Osh for representatives of schools from the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan!
Together, we are creating a safe and healthy environment for the future generation!
On August 25, 2026, Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic organized a practical experience-sharing workshop on "Organization of Healthy Nutrition in Schools" at K. Chokoev School in Kotormo village under the "Green Schools for Healthy Nutrition" project. School principals from the Uch-Terek and Bel-Aldy areas participated in the event.
The primary goal of the workshop was to demonstrate how the effective use of school grounds allows for growing fresh fruits and vegetables for the school cafeteria, thereby enriching students' daily diets with nutritious hot meals. 🍲🍛
During the field visit, the team of K. Chokoev School shared their unique experience:
- Crop diversity: apples, cucumbers, potatoes, strawberries, as well as lemons and bananas are successfully grown on the school grounds.
- High yield: the school harvests crops twice per season.
- Reliable storage: participants were shown a self-constructed basement storage facility that keeps the produce fresh throughout the entire school year.
Participants showed great interest in the practical details, discussing irrigation, crop cultivation, food storage, and adapting these approaches in their own schools. In addition, the school leaders addressed key challenges of mountainous regions, particularly the short agricultural season and limited access to irrigation water.
The workshop served as clear proof that school-based farming is an accessible and effective tool for enhancing hot meal programs and improving children's health. 💚
On August 20–21, 2026, Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic held a two-day strategic workshop titled "Community Movement: Moving Together, Creating Change."
The event was aimed at reviewing the progress of the first half of 2026, aligning strategic priorities, strengthening interdepartmental collaboration, and developing a clear action plan for the second half of the year.
During the two-day program, staff completed a series of intensive sessions focused on analytical work, professional development, and team building. Participants reviewed the five-year PPF 2026–2030 strategy, the development of the Community Movement initiative, improvement strategies for SST projects, and the WFP HGSF program. Special emphasis was placed on co-funding projects in Bel-Aldy village aimed at empowering and actively involving the local population to strengthen community capacity.
The program also included training on time management, safeguarding standards (PSE & Safeguarding), and the operational role of administration as a strategic partner.
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