School gardens: providing healthy nutrition for children
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 June 26, graduation ceremonies were held across the Kyrgyz Republic to celebrate students completing their secondary education. Among them were graduates from the villages of Bel-Aldy, Sary-Sögöt, Korgon, Sargata, and Uch-Terek in Toktogul District, Jalal-Abad Region. For these students, the day marked the successful completion of their school journey and the beginning of a new chapter in life.
To make this special occasion even more memorable, Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic, through the project "Rural Youth Transition & Educational Motivation Initiative," prepared commemorative gifts and sweet treats for the graduates. These thoughtful tokens added warmth to the celebration, bringing even more joy and creating lasting memories of one of the most significant milestones in their lives.
We sincerely congratulate all graduates on completing their school education! May the knowledge and skills you have gained become a strong foundation for your future, and may your path ahead be filled with new opportunities, bold decisions, and remarkable achievements.
On June 26, graduation ceremonies were held across the Kyrgyz Republic, marking an important milestone in the lives of thousands of students as they completed their school journey and stepped into a future filled with new opportunities and possibilities.
Graduates from the schools supported by the Kok-Chu Community Development Project (Kok-Chu CDP) also celebrated this memorable occasion. To make the day even more meaningful, Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic, through the Rural Youth Transition & Educational Motivation Initiative, prepared memorable graduation gifts and sweet treats for the graduates.
The graduates expressed their sincere appreciation to Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic for the care, support, and attention shown to them on this special day. We warmly congratulate all graduates on completing this important chapter of their lives and wish them every success as they pursue their dreams, achieve their goals, and confidently begin a new journey toward a bright future.
As part of the International Children's Day celebration, a festive event was held in the Kok-Chu Community Development Project (CDP) in Chuy Region. The event was organized by Good Neighbors Kyrgyz Republic in partnership with local self-government authorities and community representatives.
The event program was developed based on the results of the community needs assessment and focus group discussions, which identified children's need for greater opportunities to develop STEAM skills as well as access to interactive educational resources. In response to these identified needs, a program combining educational and recreational activities was designed.
During the celebration, children actively participated in educational and creative games provided by Good Neighbors. These activities helped develop logical thinking, creativity, communication skills, teamwork, and a practical approach to learning. The event format enabled children not only to enjoy the celebration but also to gain new knowledge and skills through engaging and educational activities.
The successful implementation of the event demonstrated the importance of partnership among local self-government authorities, local communities, and Good Neighbors in creating an enabling environment for children's development and expanding their access to quality educational and developmental opportunities.