The city of Osh – on September 22, 2016 at 11.00 a.m. in secondary school № 10 named after V. Lenin, Public Foundation “Smail.KG” will host a ceremony to open special infrastructure (ramps) for children with disabilities. The installation of these ramps is a manifestation of the spirit of “inclusive education” in the Kyrgyz Republic to assist children with disabilities in joining their peers in school.
In June of this year, the Public Foundation "Smail.KG" worked with the community and the City of Osh to organize a fundraising campaign to raise money and acquire materials for the construction of ramps in schools in the City of Osh. As a result of these efforts, ramps were built at secondary school - gymnasium № 8 named after M. Gorkey and at secondary school №10 named after V. Lenin. The ramps facilitate entrance to these schools as well as their cafeterias and toilets. Thanks to the contributions of the community and the commitment of the City of Osh leadership; the installation of these ramps in these schools is a critical step to helping children who rely on wheelchairs to benefit from inclusive education.
Since 2015, the Public Foundation "Smail.KG" has implemented the project "Yes –to Inclusive Education", supported by the USAID Collaborative Governance Program. This project works to strengthen the partnership of the government, civil society, and the private sector to promote inclusive education in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Director of Public Foundation “Smail.KG”, Larisa Kurznetsova, shared: “Experience has shown that by working together, we can provide children with disabilities an opportunity to learn and interact with their peers.”
The Collaborative Governance Program promotes effective collaboration among civil society, the private sector, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), and is implemented by East-West Management Institute (EWMI).