Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is among the poorest of post-Soviet countries, though its progress in economic restructuring towards market economy has outpaced its counterparts. Limited access to natural resources has restricted its ability to establish economic stability. Poverty, especially in the southern part of the country, is widespread due to soaring levels of unemployment. About 40% of the population lives below the national poverty line.

The government in Kyrgyzstan adopted a national program in 1998 aiming to make the elimination of income poverty a focal concern. At the 2004 National Conference on Child Poverty, the government also declared that eliminating child poverty would be a top priority over the next decade.

Poverty is disproportionately felt by the youth of Kyrgyzstan. It is estimated that 24% of children work either full or part time, while the number of homeless or “street” children has risen since the political transition. As a result, there are also increasing reports of child prostitution and trafficking.

The situation of the children in Kyrgyzstan today gives rise to serious concerns about the future of poverty in the country. There is risk that poverty cycles could develop where today’s children, if left unaided, will grow up to be poor adults and pass that poverty onto their children.

The political instability of Kyrgyzstan has had a direct effect on its citizens’ rights. The transition of governments has yet to result in promised reform. Police brutality, including the torture of both adult and children detainees, remains ubiquitous. Attacks on human rights defenders especially have been rife enough to receive international attention. The juvenile justice system is in need of reform, as serious questions have been raised about the treatment of minors while in police custody.

Women receive equal protection under the law; however, discrimination in the work place still exists. Although well represented in the work force in urban areas, women appear to be disproportionately affected by growing unemployment. In rural areas, bride kidnapping and forced marriage persists. Domestic abuse and child neglect are also frequently reported.

Though the government still controls the press and media, greater freedoms have been allowed in recent years.

Kyrgyzstan was the first country in Central Asia to start substitution treatment with methadone for injecting drug users, who are the prime target for HIV/AIDS in the country. In 2005, a new law regarding HIV/AIDS was passed by the parliament, and overall the national response to the epidemic is emphatic and effective. About 0.1% of the population is living with HIV/AIDS.

Tuberculosis is also a growing problem in Kyrgyzstan, with about 7500 people in a population of 5.2 million living with the disease. However, like HIV/AIDS, the government has made a concentrated effort in the past 5 years to control, treat, and prevent the disease.

Among Kyrgyzstan's most significant environmental issues are water pollution and soil salinity resulting from improper irrigation methods. The pollution of the nation's water causes health problems for 25% of its people, many of whom draw water directly from contaminated wells and streams. Only 66% of the nation's rural dwellers have a publicly regulated water supply. As of 2001, 3.5% of Kyrgyzstan's total land area is protected. In the same year, six mammal species and five species of birds were listed as threatened, as were seven plant species. Threatened animal species include the great bustard, European bison, snow leopard, field adder, and tiger.

Schooling is mandatory up to the ninth grade, and almost 99% of adults are literate. However, the amount of money that the government allocates to education is relatively low.

Bashat (CBF) - Bashat (CBF) is a National Environment NGO established in 1999 to promote the sustainable development of mountain communities in areas with rich wildlife through conservation programs, the restoration and application of traditional natural resource use and improvement of socio-economic conditions of rural population.

Education Centre “Youth Vision” - The Centre stands to assist secondary school pupils from low-income families receive a Government Educational Grant, as they are often under-represented in universities and colleges in Kyrgyzstan because of financial obstacles. The secondary schools in Kyrgyzstan are seriously crippled by the eternal lack of funding, library and qualified teachers, leading a mercenary, poorly educated young generation with no real sense of citizenship. The Centre provides free tutoring for secondary school pupils from low-income families who wish to continue their education and receive a governmental grant.

The Foundation for Tolerance International - The Foundation for Tolerance International (FTI) is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-governmental organization. We work to prevent, resolve, and transform inter-ethnic conflicts in the Ferghana Valley. FTI coordinates community-based activities and civil forums that promote peace, tolerance, conflict resolution strategies, and support locally initiated solutions to regional inter-ethnic conflict.

Habitat Kyrgyzstan Foundation - Habitat Kyrgyzstan (HKF) is the Kyrgyz affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. HFK is a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing from Kyrgyzstan. We build houses with families in need of housing together with volunteers from Kyrgyzstan and from around the world. Then these houses are sold to families with no interest, long term loan. Thus, together with volunteers we help the needy to realize their dream of owning a home. Habitat is the only organization in Kyrgyzstan helping poor families step out of poverty housing.

Handicraft Shop “Kurak” - The Foundation’s activity is directed towards resolution of employment’s problems, namely unemployed women, migrating from rural areas to cities, but at the same time these women are talented and have a great creative potential. The Foundation has organized a workshop for unemployed women, migrated from villages to produce handicraft of Kyrgyz national culture. “Kurak” is translated into English as “patchwork” and is the oldest and most popular type of handicraft. Kyrgyz women sew the required things for house, using technique of “Kurak” sewing. At present this type of handicraft became an art which develops aesthetic taste and skills, enriches internal life. Each woman, flinging oneself whole-heartedly into an undertaking presents her own vision, own layer of beauty and energy

Humanity Foundation/Educational Testing Center, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan - Humanity Foundation is a non-profit organization that works on the implementation of various programs, and one of them is the Educational Testing Center (ETC). ETC is a collaborative project of Kyrgyz Technical University and Humanity Public Fund. The main business of ETC is teaching English to people of all ages offering students and professionals a wide selection of educational opportunities to assist them in achieving success in today’s competitive global business environment.

The Alpine Fund - The Alpine Fund is based in Bishkek, and is a program implemented by The Mountain Fund. The Alpine Fund’s mission is to help at-risk youth in Central Asia become responsible citizens with an awareness and appreciation of the environment. It works with youth from orphanages and street shelters, and since its inception has taken hundreds of children to the mountains for education and adventure.

Student World Assembly - Promoting Global Democracy, one student at a time! We are looking for volunteers with a strong interest in Global Democracy and Human Rights for research schools in their area and recruit members for the organization.