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Empowerment & Income Generation Projects
Kadyrluu Karylyk
Help to Help Themselves
Babushka Hostess
Babushka Gift
Kadyrluu Karylyk – Dignity in Ageing through Strengthening Kyrgyz Civil Society
To achieve more sustainable change with and for older people in Kyrgyzstan, Babushka Adoption Foundation in partnership with HelpAge International (HAI), the leading organization working globally to promote the rights of older people in developing and transition countries, implemented this project from 2007-2009, funded by the European Commission’s TACIS Institution Building Partnership Program (IBPP). Kadyrluu Karylyk means"dignity in ageing" in the Kyrgyz language. The project’s aim was to foster civil society activity and cooperation with government that could lead to realizing the rights of the elderly people in Kyrgyzstan for a dignified and secure old age.
In the framework of the Kadyrluu Karylyk project, Babushka Adoption Foundation organized an advocacy campaign focusing on particular issues of importance to older people, namely access to health services, age discrimination, and income poverty. As part of this, Babushka Adoption Foundation established 25 Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Bishkek and Batken oblast. SHGs are a positive and long-lasting outcome from the project. These groups consist of 10-15 elderly people who meet regularly to discuss old people’s needs and address the problems of social reintegration. SHG leaders received training in project development and management, budget development and monitoring, mobilization and coordination of volunteers, lobbying, attracting funding sources and networking. The project contributes to older people’s social reintegration and participation as equal members of society.
Help to Help Themselves (Batken oblast)
This project provides start-up materials for sustainable income-generation projects. In 2008 the project was funded by Babushka Adoption Foundation partner GTZ and the OSCE Academy in Bishkek. Four Self Help Groups were given sewing machines and kitchenware to start small handicrafts and catering enterprises.
Babushka Adoption Foundation also distributed 20 goats to Babushka Adoption Foundation beneficiaries. In 2009, in partnership with GTZ, Babushka Adoption Foundation distributed 18 sheep. The animals provide a source of income for the owners through the sale of milk and wool and the breeding of livestock. This project is self-perpetuating as the first generation of animals is passed on to other needy elderly people.
Babushka Hostess
In 2004-2005 Babushka Adoption Foundation implemented this small project financed by Counterpart Consortium. The project concept revolved around encouraging skilled and artistic babushkas and dedushkas to make souvenirs and clothing. Babushka Adoption Foundation supported beneficiaries in purchasing material and then selling their products. The proceeds of the sale resulted in additional income for beneficiaries in need.
Babushka Gift
In 2003 Babushka Adoption Foundation implemented this project financed by the World Bank. The goal of the project was to help alleviate poverty in Kyrgyzstan by providing craftswomen in the Leilek district of Batken, the most remote and undeveloped province in the Kyrgyz Republic, with job opportunities. The jobs created a direct source of income and, indirectly provided support for improving the lives of elders.
Through Babushka Adoption, special Leilek carpets, well-known throughout Central Asia, were produced by local craftswomen. Ten groups of craftswomen benefited from the program. They received a twelve-month loan from BA. The loan allowed them to purchase raw material for making the carpets. The carpets were produced manually and sold at local markets for profit. Babushka Adoption Foundation also bought carpets from these craftswomen, transported them to Bishkek and arranged their sale in the capital. Profits from the sale funded the charity work of Babushka Adoption.
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