[K-ODA On-site in]② The Wasteland of the Former Soviet Union Transformed by Korean Hands... A Space for Women's Liberation Reborn

Kyrgyzstan Osh Suchkol Sarikamush Village
KOICA and Government Support Kindergarten Construction

“The youngest child had to walk 5 km to the neighboring village’s Agranum Orphanage because there was no kindergarten. Now, I can go to work with peace of mind.” - Parent Aida Kju Rustambek (33 years old)

In Sukkol Village, Yuspova District, Aravan County, located 34 km from the center of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, the lives of villagers have changed with the establishment of the ‘Kaltaju Ene Kindergarten’ supported by the Korean government. Aida, a mother of three and a nurse, said, “At first, I didn’t believe a kindergarten would be built on this vacant lot. But the Korean government made it happen. I am very grateful,” smiling brightly.

On the 12th (local time), the press visited the kindergarten’s yard where light green, sky blue, and pink triangular flags fluttered. The kindergarten building, with a gable roof shaped like an open book, had stickers of apple trees, flowers, and animals on its windows. The sound of children’s choir could also be heard.

The 1,660㎡ kindergarten site was once a communal dining hall of a collective farm during the Soviet era about 30 years ago. Kyrgyzstan was a socialist country belonging to the Soviet Union but gained independence in 1991 after the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Since independence, the state-owned land had remained vacant for 32 years.

On the 11th (local time), 'Kaltaju Ene Kindergarten' in Sutkot Village, Aravan District, Osh Province, Kyrgyzstan. [Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Osh)]

Communal Dining Hall from Socialist Era Transformed into Kindergarten

The Korean government supported the construction of the kindergarten here with KOICA funds amounting to 1,742,500 soms (approximately 26 million KRW). After four meetings, the villagers requested support, stating that a kindergarten was the most needed facility. The average fertility rate per woman in Kyrgyzstan is three children, which is relatively high, similar to neighboring countries Uzbekistan (2.9), Kazakhstan (3.2), and Tajikistan (3.3). Building the kindergarten increased women’s opportunities to work, improved childcare environments, and created employment.

The kindergarten has a capacity of 60 children and operates daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fifteen people, including teachers and facility managers, were employed. Villagers pay a monthly fee of $6 (about 8,000 KRW), and some tuition is subsidized by the district government. Vulnerable groups such as single-parent families can attend free of charge.

On the 11th (local time), Sukkol Village in Aravan District, located 34 km from Osh City, the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan, is situated at an altitude of 760 meters above sea level, with 110 households and 750 residents. The site, which was used as a communal dining hall during the Soviet era, was incorporated into government ownership, but due to lack of funds, facility construction was not carried out. As the first phase of the basic project, the village residents decided to establish a kindergarten, and with the support of KOICA, the district government, and the residents' self-governing fund, the "Kaltaju Ene Kindergarten" was established. [Joint coverage by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Osh)]

Nasiridin Abdirauimov, head of Yuspova District (52 years old), said, “Currently, 57 children attend the kindergarten, giving parents free time to find jobs elsewhere, which has increased village income. We are thinking a lot about job creation, and I hope more projects like this will be implemented.”

Dildara Tolonova, the kindergarten director (38 years old), said, “This year, we plan to build kindergartens in nearby Norus and Kyzyl Tepa villages as well. The kindergarten supported by KOICA has set a good precedent. Now we know that with support from the district government and parents, establishing kindergartens is possible.”

‘Multipurpose Center’ Established as a Hub for Financial and Gender Education for Women

On the same day, the press visited the ‘Women’s Multipurpose’ center in Sari Kamish Village, Kara Kal District. This center serves not only as a kindergarten but also as an education and cultural center. Villagers use this space for childcare while also utilizing it for financial and gender education and women’s networking. In Kyrgyzstan, where Islamic culture is strong, mosques serve as gathering places for men, but there was no place for women to gather as a community.

KOICA provided 2 million soms, the district government 2.5 million soms, the county government fund 2.5 million soms, and Osh Province 2.8 million soms to establish the multipurpose women’s center. The traditional Kyrgyz cooperative culture called Ashar, meaning ‘let’s work together,’ helped unite efforts and support the center’s establishment.

On the 12th (local time), Erinish Toltoyev, Deputy Governor of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, is being interviewed by the Korean press in Sari-Kamush village, Kara-Kaljagun, Osh. [Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Osh)]

Yerinosh Toltoyev, Deputy Governor of Osh, said in an interview, “The fact that KOICA, the district government, county government, and Osh Province pooled funds to create and realize this vision is Kyrgyzstan’s ‘Ashar.’ The Ashar culture, practiced by Kyrgyz people for centuries, is being revived.”

Financial education is highly popular at the women’s multipurpose center. Village leaders teach principles of saving, loans, investment, insurance, and household budgeting. As of September last year, Kyrgyzstan’s total savings rate was only 6.1%, significantly lower than neighboring countries Kazakhstan (44.9%), Tajikistan (31%), and Uzbekistan (28.7%). This is due to the strong nomadic tradition and the socialist past, which hindered the development of public awareness about finance and financial planning. Many citizens choose overseas labor migration due to the small economy of 6 million people.

On the 12th (local time), at the multipurpose women's center in Sari-Kamush village, part of Kara Kaljagun in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, a village woman, Mataiba Aigul, is introducing handmade crafts she personally made to the Korean press. [Joint Press Corps of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Osh)]

Ismailova Shair, a member of the Kara Kulcha District Assembly, explained, “Through financial education, we set goals for asset savings, teach how to prevent unnecessary spending, and methods of saving.”

Gender equality education is also conducted. It teaches prevention of domestic sexual violence and promotes equal gender roles. Kyrgyzstan retains socialist cultural elements that encourage women’s advancement to high positions, but the custom of bride kidnapping (Alakachu) remains a social issue. Because of this, the Kyrgyz Republic has been operating a gender program since last year aimed at ‘promoting women’s rights and economic development’ through 2030.

Throughout the multipurpose center, handicrafts made by women were displayed. They process sheep’s wool to weave fabrics and make carpets, coasters, hats, and sell them at the market. Matai Ba Aigul (50 years old) said, “The handicrafts feature patterns representing Kyrgyzstan’s eternal snow, birds, and mountains. While children are cared for here, we can make crafts to sell at the market.”

Yerinosh Toltoyev, Deputy Governor of Osh, said, “KOICA’s support for important national policies in Kyrgyzstan is creating many opportunities. Through these programs, Kyrgyzstan hopes to continuously develop friendly relations with Korea.”