Dignity for All: Respect for Children with Special Needs!

According to recent research, residents of the city of Atyrau and the Zhylyoi district of Atyrau oblast rank poorly-maintained public and common spaces in their communities as a key social issue to be addressed. In 2013, with support from Tengizchevroil, EFCA launched a new project “Our Public Spaces” designed to respond to this need. The project provided an opportunity for local citizens to independently develop and implement plans for improving the public spaces in their communities, including neighborhood courtyards and surrounding territories. 

A number of active local residents jumped at the chance to participate in the project; they were invited to trainings on planning methods and project management. A total of 13 proposals were received; five were selected for funding, including two in the city of Atyrau and a three in Kulsary. Each grant winner was awarded with 600 000 KZT.

One of the grants was used to fund the improvement of the territory around the center for children with special needs in Kulsary. Recreational activities for children are held at the center twice a week and festivals are organized there monthly. However, the poor condition of the main pathway made it difficult for children and their families to reach the door of the building.

The head of the mini-project, Gulmira Nauryzbayeva, heard about the EFCA grant competition and decided it was the perfect opportunity to solve the problem with the pathway. Her project was supported not only by local residents, but also be seven additional companies which provided sponsorship. Local businessmen helped locate equipment, construction specialists, and needed materials.  Over the course of two months, the team vastly improved the territory with the construction of a new driveway, benches with awnings, and trash containers. In addition, team members added their own ‘know-how’: they built a walkway to the outdoor toilet – made with glass bottles! This not only allowed the team to save money on expensive cement and supplies, but also caught the attention of the primary sponsor of the project. Noting the high level of community interest in the project, Tengizchevroil decided to made an extra contribution to the center:

 “It is a great honor for me to hand over a new Inva-Taxi to the Zhylyoi District Department of Employment and Social Programs,” announced Tim Miller, General Director of Tengizchevroil. “This vehicle is specially-equipped to transport people with special needs. Now, at any time, they can comfortably get to any destination in the community.”