First specialized office for the blind opened in Atyrau

On March 25, 2016, an office for lessons on the Braille system of reading/writing was opened in Atyrau as part of the specialized library of the Atyrau branch of the Kazakh Society of the Blind. This office was equipped as part of the EFCA project on supporting vulnerable groups in the city of Atyrau. Equipment and furniture for the learning space were purchased as part of the project. Interested residents of the city, united in the group "Friends of Atyrau," helped to collect the funds for the purchase of equipment and furniture for the office. Annually, they allocate over 5 million tenge to support vulnerable sectors of the population, helping them to solve critical problems.

Also, in April 2016, the course instructors will be trained by leading specialists of the Republican Library for the Blind in Almaty.

To date, thirteen individuals attend the courses. Lessons are conducted in mini-groups, allowing for the instructors to work with each participant as effectively as possible.

"Our project is unique in that it is not useless charity or a one-off charitable event. This is systematic support and systemic improvement of the quality of life of vulnerable groups in the city of Atyrau," said Azhar Iskakova, EFCA project manager.

The library’s open house was visited by 38 people; see the story on the TV channel Kazakhstan TV for more details.