TOGETHER - WE ARE STRONG!
The center was established thanks to foreign investors, and the premises were allocated by local self-government bodies, giving part of a floor in one of the city's schools. The six rooms include: a study and playroom, a sensory room, a physical therapy and massage room, a classroom, a training room, and a library. There is a playground. Most of the equipment was made possible by a grant, while the main furniture and appliances were donated by sponsors. The project is also supported by UNICEF - the UN children's fund.
Initially, there were few visitors - the stigma surrounding families of children with disabilities was palpable. Local residents were skeptical about the center's appearance. They even tried to eliminate the playground, guided by the often prevailing "golden rule" in the modern world - "If our children don't have it, yours shouldn't either." However, they stood their ground, and work began! Word about the unusual center spread from mouth to mouth, and more and more parents of special children wanted to enroll their kids here. The children who came to "Ornok" learned to socialize and progressed in their development - many mothers do not know how to work with such children. At the center, children are taught to read, write, draw, and mold. They receive assistance from a speech therapist and a massage therapist. Special children receive sensory and music therapy, learn new social and life skills, and simply interact with each other. The center's staff helps not only their young visitors but also their mothers and grandmothers: unfortunately, fathers are often frightened by the challenges of raising special children. As a result, women are left alone. In "Ornok," many realized that they are not alone. It feels like a good and friendly family here: they always help each other, for example, if someone needs to go to the hospital or work, there is always someone they can trust to look after their son or daughter. Additionally, many mothers work at the center - they keep order, play with the children, teach them life skills, and help them with tasks. Often, they have no other way to earn a living while ensuring proper care for their son or daughter, and living in Kyrgyzstan solely on disability benefits means ensuring a life of poverty and hunger for both the child and themselves.
20 THOUSAND FOR LIFE
Behind each visitor to the center lies a story of overcoming human indifference and everyday difficulties. For example, there is the new girl Sezim. Both the school and the Red Crescent courses refused her. While she studies at the center, attends therapy, and plays with other children, her mother Bubaiym is trying to find money for a trip to Bishkek to continue her daughter's education.
A few years ago, dreaming of a daughter, Bubaiym began searching for a child to adopt. An acquaintance family in Bishkek told her about an abandoned girl who had been left in the care of relatives. But there was one "but" - the little girl had special needs and required care. The family that had been looking after her did not provide it adequately.
- At almost five years old, Sezim weighed 7 kilograms and was 74 centimeters tall, hardly walked or spoke. To make her look a bit better, the people she lived with tied a bow on her head. And I, almost in tears, looked at it, then into the eyes of the little girl and understood - she urgently needed to be taken away - she is my daughter! - the woman recalls. - She also saw me as a close person: she hugged me and didn't want to let go... We went home together. Soon, relatives appeared and demanded 20,000 soms for the child - I had to give the money, even though it was almost all my savings.
After some time, Sezim began to eat well, walk, talk, draw, and play with other children... We underwent a full examination in Bishkek. I completed all the adoption paperwork. Then I enrolled my daughter in school. But the teachers did not want to work with her - they said she was lagging behind in development: "Go to a special school in Bishkek!" But we cannot live in the capital, and I have no relatives there...
Support from government agencies and simply caring citizens is needed not only by Bubaiym and her daughter. Every family with a child with developmental delays needs it. There is a need for a wheelchair to attend classes, a special tablet for learning, toys, food, clothing, stationery, remote work for the mother who has become the sole breadwinner in the family - in general, the needs are countless. However, the main one is the socialization and adaptation of children so that they can develop and, in case of losing their guardians, somehow take care of themselves.
THE FIRST INCLUSIVE SCHOOL
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, there are currently about 6,000 children with disabilities and special educational needs studying in 675 educational organizations under the inclusive education system in Kyrgyzstan. However, in Karakol, they decided to experiment and try to create the first school that would provide education for all children with disabilities in need, not just those whom the directors allow to enroll.
- We enrolled five children in school No. 14 - three went to the first grade, and two to preparatory courses. Almost all of them have severe, evident forms of disability. We would like to implement a full-fledged inclusive education system based on this educational institution. Usually, school administrations just install a ramp, thinking that this is where inclusive education ends, and only accept children with mild forms of disability. We want to show that it is possible in Kyrgyzstan for all children to learn together, - says Nurgul ISHENBEKOVA, the center's coordinator.
Now, after classes, the students come to "Ornok" - they do their homework, engage in art therapy, sing, draw, and play together. The parents of special children believe that one day the state will be able to provide equal opportunities and rights for the children and extend a strong hand of help.
At the time of the visit to "Ornok," the election campaign had not yet concluded. "AIF" recommended that political parties pay attention to the problems of the rehabilitation center to candidates for deputies eager to enter parliament. However, two headquarters immediately stated that the issue of helping children with disabilities did not interest them, as it would not help them gain political points. A few others promised to think about it and visit when the party's campaign train arrives in Karakol. However, according to the center's coordinator, not a single representative from 14 parties crossed the threshold of the rehabilitation center. Meanwhile, "Ornok" continues its work: new children have arrived, most of whom have cerebral palsy. The education of five toddlers enrolled in a regular school is also ongoing.
- We already have our first positive results. Classmates accepted our children and help them in everything: they support them in the corridor, take them outside to play, and learn to care for them, - Nurgul Isenbekova shares the successes of her initiative. - Recently, the mother of one of the boys had to step out and was a bit late for the time when the children are served hot meals. Upon returning, the woman was pleasantly surprised to see one of the girls feeding her son from a cup and carefully wiping the crumbs left on the table after he ate.
Two weeks ago, we held a lesson on kindness based on the principle of equality for the students of two classes where our children study. We were helped by Altynai Zhyrgalbekova - she has cerebral palsy but was able to successfully finish school and is now in her fourth year at university. I am confident that we are on the right path, and we will succeed! The early intervention and rehabilitation center for children with disabilities "Ornok" has been operating since 2013 thanks to the public association "Union of Disabled People of the Issyk-Kul Region 'Equality'" within the framework of the partnership project for children "Support for Children with Disabilities in the Kyrgyz Republic" with financial support from the British "Big Lottery Fund." The center's main principles are equality, respect for human rights, and the involvement and activation of parental initiatives in the protection of the rights and interests of children with special needs. In addition to specialists - speech therapists, teachers, music therapists, and others - the children are also engaged by their mothers. The center's services are free.