Review

Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country located in Central Asia. More than 90% of the country is made up of mountains, and it is a country of nomads who make their home in the grasslands. With the collapse of the former Soviet Union, the country became independent in 1991, but has not yet escaped its influence.

▶ Kyrgyzstan is located in the interior of Central Asia, bordering Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China. Due to its characteristics as a landlocked country, Kyrgyzstan has a dry continental climate. 

In the Issyk-Kul region, 140km from the capital of Kyrgyzstan, there is Korumdu Village, a small rural village where livestock is raised and farming is conducted. The unemployment rate in this area, where there are no special jobs, is at a very high level, and even if there are jobs, it is a typical poverty-stricken area where the monthly salary is less than $100.

In particular, they are unable to escape the cycle of poverty due to not only economic difficulties but also poor educational standards. However, unlike countries in Africa and Southeast Asia, it is not well known, so it does not receive help from many people.

▶ Kyrgyzstan is a multi-ethnic country comprised of over 80 ethnic groups, including Kyrgyz (66%), Uzbeks (14%), Russians (11%), Germans, Kazakhs, Tatars, Uyghurs, Turks, etc. There are also about 20,000 Koreans residing there (0.4% of the total population).

WECA, the World Educational Cultural Aid, is starting a special classroom to deliver dreams and hope to children in Corumdu village who are unable to escape the cycle of poverty.

This is an art classroom. Some people say that art is a luxury in a place where it is difficult to make a living. However, art is the best subject that can instill dreams in children so that they can escape the cycle of poverty, and art classes are the very hope for children.

??Art is the most natural means of expressing one's inner self and a common global language. This is because art shows how we see, feel, and think about the world. The children of Corumdu Village who learn art will grow up to be better than anyone else because they see and feel the world from different perspectives. 

▶ Entrance to Kyrgyzstan art classroom. Pass through this small entrance and enter the art classroom where dreams and hopes are nurtured.

▶ Alik, an art class teacher in Korumdu Village, a small rural village in Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Alik is a famous painter whose work is even hung in the President's office. Currently, he has returned to his hometown of Corumdu to help children in rural areas, supporting them for free and even buying art materials with his own money to teach them.

▶ As these are children taking an art class for the first time, art teacher Alik is explaining in detail how to make a wool doll.

There are children who come to visit us looking forward to the days when art classes are held. Children gather together to draw and sculpt. And we make wool dolls using sheep wool, which is the most commonly used material in cold weather. Although they may seem clumsy, the hidden talent in these children is amazing. Children's hands making wool dolls just by looking at a picture. Following those touches, a new work of art is created.

The wool dolls carefully made by children are sold to tourists visiting Issyk-Kul Lake, a tourist area located near the village of Korumdu. Although it is a very small amount, it helps with household expenses and provides tuition for children to continue attending school.

▶ Children who make wool dolls with great care, stitch by stitch. The more effort we put into our children, the bigger their dreams become.

Art is a natural means of expressing one's inner self and a common global language. This is because art shows how we see, feel, and think about the world. The children of Corumdu Village who learn art will grow up to be better than anyone else because they see and feel the world from different perspectives.

▶ Children’s works created through long hours of work. Each wool doll is made with children's sweat and sincerity. This doll will be passed on to other children by someone's hand. The warm feelings contained in the wool doll will also be conveyed.

WECA, the World Educational Cultural Aid, continues to operate art classes in Korumdu Village, a small rural village in Kyrgyzstan, so that more children can live creative lives with the desire to escape the cycle of poverty.

▶ Art class begins after school classes are over. Many children are not yet developing their dreams and hopes here. However, through this place, more children will develop dreams, hopes, and independence. 

There is a severe shortage of textbooks and art tools needed for many children who come to art classes. Please join us so that the dreams and hopes of the children of Corumdu Village do not stop.

We will help children achieve their dreams through continuous education support campaigns so that more children can have educational opportunities. Along the way, we need the attention and love of our sponsors. Please join WECA!